2025 BMW X3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 12 of 34 complaints (35%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 36 in 2024 to 34 in 2025.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | vs. 2025 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100–4,550 | 3,100–4,550 | 2,650–2,850 | 2,650–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–25 | 17–25 | 27–29 | 27–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–23 / 20–29 | 15–23 / 20–29 | 25–27 / 30–33 | 25–27 / 30–33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 352–519 | 352–519 | 299–320 | 299–320 | |
| Complaints filed | 12 | 36 | 34 | 16 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 9 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2025 BMW X3 have?
9 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2025 BMW X3?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 12 of 34 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2025 BMW X3 get?
EPA rates it 27–29 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2025 BMW X3?
EPA estimates $2,650–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 27 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,650 (low) | 299 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 25 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 320 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (9)
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM · Campaign 26V524000 · Aug 13, 2026
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024-2026 X3 sDrive30i, X3 30 xDrive, and X3 M50 xDrive vehicles. The steering spindle may have been incorrectly attached to the steering column.
Consequence: An incorrectly attached steering spindle can lead to a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering connection and replace hardware or replace the spindle and column, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 2, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 2, 2026.
STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE; STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · Campaign 25V857000 · Dec 11, 2025
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2025-2026 X3 vehicles. While the vehicle is stationary, unexpected steering wheel movement (rotation) may occur.
Consequence: Unintended steering wheel movement while the vehicle is stationary increases the risk of an injury and on the road, a crash.
Remedy: The steering system software will be updated, free of charge, either over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 2, 2026.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC · Campaign 25V247000 · Apr 16, 2025
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X3 30 xDrive vehicles. The front brake discs may have been damaged during transport before they were installed on the vehicle.
Consequence: Damaged front brakes may not function properly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front brake discs and brake pads, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY · Campaign 25V202000 · Apr 1, 2025
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 330i, 330i xDrive, 530i, 530i xDrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive) and X3 30 xDrive vehicles. The electrical connection between the starter-generator and battery may come loose.
Consequence: A loose starter-generator connection can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, the wiring may overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the starter-generator and positive battery cable as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed May 28, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP; ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · Campaign 25V154000 · Mar 12, 2025
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X3 30 xDrive and X3 M50 xDrive vehicles. The rear brake hoses may leak, causing a loss of rear brake function, and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system.
Consequence: A loss of rear brake function increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 9, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 800-525-7417.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES · Campaign 25V109000 · Feb 21, 2025
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X3 30 xDrive vehicles. The connection between the positive battery cable and the starter-generator may have been improperly tightened and overheat.
Consequence: An overheated battery cable connection can cause an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash. In addition, an overheated battery cable increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the connection between the positive battery cable and the starter-generator, or replace the positive battery cable and starter-generator if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 800-525-7417.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING · Campaign 24V909000 · Dec 5, 2024
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X3 30 vehicles. The front wheel left-side swivel bearing may crack, causing a loss of vehicle handling and control.
Consequence: A loss of vehicle handling and control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front left-side swivel bearing, free of charge. One owner was contacted December 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN · Campaign 24V856000 · Nov 13, 2024
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X3 30 xDrive vehicles. The gas generator in the right-side head curtain air bag may have been assembled incorrectly.
Consequence: An incorrectly assembled air bag can result in delayed activation or improper deployment of the head curtain air bag, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the right-side head curtain air bag, if necessary, free of charge. The vehicles have not been sold from dealer inventory and therefore no owner letters will be mailed. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION · Campaign 24V772000 · Oct 17, 2024
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X3 xDrive30i and X3 M50i vehicles. The front passenger air bag fabric may have been damaged during transport between suppliers.
Consequence: A damaged air bag may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag, free of charge. None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.