2008 BMW X3 engine problems

The 2008 BMW X3 has 31 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 33% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

Engine complaints

33%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

X3 engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

17V683000EngineOctober 30, 2017 · 740,561 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Consequence

An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

What owners report

“MY CAR HAS SUDDENLY LOST POWER IN SEVERAL OCCASIONS NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AT 60 MPH ON ONE OCCASION. WHEN POWER IS LOST STEERING SEIZES UP COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENS WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING WHATSOEVER & MY CAR HAS STARTED UP AS THOUGH NOTHING IS WRONG AFTER. THE SECOND ISSUE IS SO WELL KNOWN…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 2, 2020 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2008 BMW X3 have?

NHTSA has 31 complaints about the 2008 BMW X3 engine — 33% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2008 BMW X3 engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 17V683000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.