2020 BMW X3
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 138 |
| 2005 | 103 |
| 2006 | 143 |
| 2007 | 98 |
| 2008 | 66 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 32 |
| 2011 | 111 |
| 2012 | 42 |
| 2013 | 226 |
| 2014 | 84 |
| 2015 | 105 |
| 2016 | 81 |
| 2017 | 92 |
| 2018 | 72 |
| 2019 | 164 |
| 2020 | 106 |
| 2021 | 100 |
| 2022 | 65 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2025 | 34 |
| 2026 | 14 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
31% of complaints: electrical system — 33 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
The accident happened at Noon on [XXX] at the Amazon Fresh/Post office parking lotâs far right exit lane facing [XXX] The address is [XXX] . We were leaving the parking lot and I stopped at the exit lane with 2 cars in front of us.
NHTSA ODI report, 20241015
23% of complaints: engine — 24 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated after parking her vehicle at her residence, the vehicle caught fire around the engine independently. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire and police report were filed.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230214
The contact owned a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated the vehicle was stationary at a parking lot, when the front passenger informed her that there was smoke coming from under the passengerâs side hood.
NHTSA ODI report, 20210727
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNATTENDED, IT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. ADDITIONALLY, A LINCOLN MKZ PARKED ADJACENT TO THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20210401
8% of complaints: power train — 9 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file.
FIRE6% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 6 distinct reports on file.
FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, and X3 M40i vehicles, X4 xDrive30i, and X4 M40i vehicles.
Remedy: BMW has notified owners and instructed them to not drive their vehicles. Dealers will replace the front axle swivel bearings, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 19V678000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 BMW X3 M40i and X4 M40i vehicles. The steering rack pinion teeth may break under load, resulting in a loss of steering control.
Remedy: BMW has notified owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. The recall began October 9, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 19V738000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i,...
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735.
Campaign 19V684000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 X4 xDrive30i and X4 M40i, and 2018-2020 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3M vehicles. The instrument panel casing may not have been tightened properly to the passenger air bag.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel casing, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 20V152000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, X4M, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, M850i xDrive Gran Coupe, M8 Gran Coupe, X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M,...
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt buckles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 20V164000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 Z4 sDrive30i, 2019-2020 330i xDrive, M340i and M340i xDrive, 2020 X3M and X4M, and Toyota Supra vehicles.
Remedy: BMW and Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear tie rods, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Campaign 20V355000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 sDrive40i, X3 xDrive40i and X3M40i vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will program the affected vehicles with rearview camera software, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. All vehicles have been remedied as of November 9, 2020.
Campaign 20V443000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 16, 2020.
Campaign 20V490000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 20V598000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles.
Campaign 20V601000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7,...
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 21V096000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 21V598000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, 2020-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, 2021 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, and X4M vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat frame and back rest, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 23V211000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2022 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the rear cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 24V764000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2023 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the interior cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 24V534000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026.
Campaign 25V636000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2020 BMW X3 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (33 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (24 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 19V678000 (steering, suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V738000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V684000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V152000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V164000 (air bags, seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V355000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V443000 (back over prevention, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V490000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V598000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V601000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V096000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V598000 (engine) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V211000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V764000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V534000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V636000 (electrical system) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2020 BMW X3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 BMW X3 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2020 BMW X3?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 BMW X3 have?
16 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.