The 2011 BMW X3 Sav has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 156,137 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING14V1760002014-04-10156,137 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i…
Consequence
If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty…
Complaints by component
ENGINE
4
AIR BAGS
3
STEERING
3
POWER TRAIN
2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
SEATS
1
STRUCTURE:BODY
1
Total complaints18
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Steering is "sticky" when trying to move from the center position in my 2011 bmw x3 35i-- during highway driving when the steering wheel is used to keep the vehicle in the current lane of travel, higher than normal resistance to turning is felt. Once the initial resistance is overcome, the…”
“The coolant system is giving me many problems. The coolant expansion tank developed cracks in the seam and leaking. The thermostat was stuck, causing zero heat into the cabin on a cold day. The vehicle stalled on its own while driving in the highway. It would not re start the ignition kept trying,…”
“The coolant system is giving me many problems. The coolant expansion tank developed cracks in the seam and leaking. The thermostat was stuck, causing zero heat into the cabin on a cold day. The vehicle stalled on its own while driving in the highway. It would not re start the ignition kept trying,…”
“Sudden loss of power steering”
“Only have my car for only a year. Taillight from passenger side: the running light defects when I hit the brake the brake light comes on. I was told I need to replace the whole assembly light and this is well known for this car. Yesterday, while I was driving. My driver restraint light came on and…”
“Only have my car for only a year. Taillight from passenger side: the running light defects when I hit the brake the brake light comes on. I was told I need to replace the whole assembly light and this is well known for this car. Yesterday, while I was driving. My driver restraint light came on and…”
“Only have my car for only a year. Taillight from passenger side: the running light defects when I hit the brake the brake light comes on. I was told I need to replace the whole assembly light and this is well known for this car. Yesterday, while I was driving. My driver restraint light came on and…”
“Nothing happened (yet) but bmw service tells me there's no recalls that need to be taken care of on my vehicle”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2011 BMW X3 Sav as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.