BMW X3 · model year

2020 BMW X3

98 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 16 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2020BMWX3 carries 98 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2020 X3 is electrical system with 26 filings, followed by unknown or other (13) and engine (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 16 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2020 X3. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

98
Complaints
4
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
2020 BMW X3 - NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2020 BMW X3. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

98 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 - Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26
UNKNOWN OR OTHER13
ENGINE12
POWER TRAIN8
AIR BAGS6
STRUCTURE:BODY4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
STRUCTURE4
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT3
STEERING2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
SERVICE BRAKES2
WHEELS1

Recalls (16)

20V59800030/09/2020

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

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. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured.

20V60100030/09/2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

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. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells d

20V44300029/07/2020

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 sDrive40i, X3 xDrive40i and X3M40i vehicles. These vehicles were not programmed with rearview camera software during assembly, therefore, when the transmission is shifted to reverse, a rearview image is not displayed. As such, these vehi

23V21100029/03/2023

SEATS

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. The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails.

19V68400027/09/2019

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

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, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Con

19V67800025/09/2019

SUSPENSION:FRONT

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, and X3 M40i vehicles, X4 xDrive30i, and X4 M40i vehicles. The front axle swivel bearings may not have been properly heat treated during manufacturing, reducing their strength and possibly causing them to break.

25V63600023/09/2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY

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. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.

20V16400019/03/2020

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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, and 840i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The sensors

21V09600019/02/2021

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

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, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Co

20V49000018/08/2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

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. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.

20V15200018/03/2020

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

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.

24V53400017/07/2024

STRUCTURE

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.

19V73800016/10/2019

STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT

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.

24V76400015/10/2024

STRUCTURE

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.

20V35500015/06/2020

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

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. In certain driving conditions, such as high temperatures and rough road surfaces, a steering gear tie rod may become damaged, possibly

21V59800002/08/2021

ENGINE

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. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical

Recent Complaints

20260201ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

There is an open recall(NHTSA Recall Number25V636) for my vehicle since September 2025 and there is still no remedy available from the manufacturer (BMW). I am told by the dealer that they won't have the part for next several months. This is unacceptable as I need to get the urgent safety recall fixed as soon as possible.

20260121UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My 2020 BMW X3 (VIN: [XXX] ) is subject to NHTSA Recall 25V636 (urgent fire risk when parked). The remedy is not yet available for my VIN, and my dealer has only given verbal assurances with no written confirmation of repair availability. I am unable to safely park the vehicle per recall instructions. I request NHTSA assistance to ensure BMW provides a loaner, rental, or other mitigation until the recall repair can be completed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20260116ENGINE

The lower radiator blinds/air flaps are not working. I have a check engine light on and the dealership is stating that is what is wrong. This is a known issue with BMW vehicles and has been a recall with other BMW models.

20260113ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Announcing the recall in September 2025 and still no remedy available 4 months later is unacceptable. My car is at risk of catching fire randomly even if it's parked with ignition off. I need a fix and I need BMW to pay for it.

20260113UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Announcing the recall in September 2025 and still no remedy available 4 months later is unacceptable. My car is at risk of catching fire randomly even if it's parked with ignition off. I need a fix and I need BMW to pay for it.

20260112ENGINE

The car has active air shutters on the grill/radiator, which are known to fail prematurely, causes overheating and emissions issues that trigger a check engine light. This was a know issue that BMW issued service bulletin and a 15 year, 150k mile warranty on the part/component up to 2019 model years. BMW did not resolve this malfunction in the same body style car in 2020, and the issue persists. BMW refuses to cover repairs on this issue that they have previously acknowledged and failed to fix, which effects the safety and drivability of the vehicle. There is a class of owners experiencing this issue who are not covered as a result of BMW failing to take accountability for the design failure in 2020+ model years. Estimated repair costs are $1,600 on average. Previous bulletin: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20260109ENGINE

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The variable displacement oil pump contains a plastic (Duoplex) internal adjusting ring/vane carrier that is known to become brittle and shatter. Status: While the pump has not yet suffered a total mechanical collapse, it is a documented inherent defect. The manufacturer (BMW) has already superseded this part (Original #11418646454 or ...453) with a reinforced metal version (Part #11419895359), admitting the original material was insufficient for the engine's lifespan. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Risk: The failure mode is sudden and unpredictable. If the plastic ring shatters while driving, it can lead to an instantaneous loss of oil pressure, causing the engine to seize or stall at highway speeds. This creates an immediate risk of: Loss of power steering and braking assist in traffic. Potential rear-wheel lockup (in RWD/Manual configurations) leading to loss

20260108ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The dealer was contacted; however, the parts were still not yet available. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20260103ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Emergency call system - TCB module failure. A Telematics Control Box, is an embedded computer in my X3. It processes, and transmits data wirelessly. it is a hub for my car to connect services like GPS tracking, diagnostics, infotainment, emergency calls (e.g., eCall), and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, enabling real-time monitoring for safety, efficiency, and fleet management. It connects the car to the internet for emergency services. If the TCB were working properly it would call 911 automatically. It has failed and now it will not call automatically if I get into an accident. The car had less than 50K miles and the dealer wanted to charge $2500 to fix. This should be a recall due to the safety issue. This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a critical safety feature failure, disabling automatic crash notification and location services. It has disabled all other msg and the error msg stays on continuously and I am unable to see any other msg that could appear.

20251223ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). The local dealer was contacted on three occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20251222SEAT BELTS

Active protection reduced message Pretensioning of seatbelts not possible. I barely use the car and was not in any kind of accident.

20251222ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Appears to be related to recall 25V636. Vehicle is 2020 BMW X3 M40i, equipped with same engine as the Supra (B58). Engine would not start with the push of the "start button". Pressing a second time would sometimes start, but as time went on the number of presses required to start took minutes to up to 30 minutes before engine would start. Had starter motor replaced October, 2025 and mechanic observed that starter motor was shorting out, similar to existing recall. However, my vehicle is not included in the recall.

20251219ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). The local dealer was contacted who confirmed that parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who confirmed the recall status. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool showed no open recall.

20251215ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the fire risk was a major concern. In addition, the contact stated that the temperature was 14 degrees below freezing the past weekend where the contact resided. The contact inquired about what might happen if the vehicle were parked on the street in the neighborhood. The manufacturer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20251212ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20251120ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the emergency sensor warning light illuminated, as well as the camera system, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light, and the key proximity features malfunctioned. The contact stated that the shark fin cover was missing from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the backup battery and wiring harness were damaged due to water intrusion from the missing shark fin cover. The contact was informed that the backup battery, wiring harness, and shark fin cover need to be replaced; however, the vehicle remained unrepaired. The contact had contacted the insurance provider, and the insurance provider declined to cover the repairs under the comprehensive coverage, citing that the failure was a known issue with BMW vehicles. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

20251120STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the emergency sensor warning light illuminated, as well as the camera system, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light, and the key proximity features malfunctioned. The contact stated that the shark fin cover was missing from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the backup battery and wiring harness were damaged due to water intrusion from the missing shark fin cover. The contact was informed that the backup battery, wiring harness, and shark fin cover need to be replaced; however, the vehicle remained unrepaired. The contact had contacted the insurance provider, and the insurance provider declined to cover the repairs under the comprehensive coverage, citing that the failure was a known issue with BMW vehicles. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

20251027ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. The contact then stated that while at a relative's home, the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts, with white colored smoke coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact used a code reader and retrieved DTC: 216113, 21611A, 21A511, and 216115. Due to the failure, the vehicle remained at the relative's home. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); and linked it to the failure. The manufacturer and the dealer were notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,500.

Mileage: 90,500

20251019STRUCTURE:BODY

So this just happened today - I was driving my 2020 BMW X3 on the freeway, cruising around 80 mph. No cars around me, no rocks, nothing hit the car… and suddenly, BANG! It sounded like a gunshot or small explosion. The sunroof shattered outward - completely blown out. Luckily, I had my interior sunshade closed, so all the glass shards were caught there instead of raining down on me. I pulled over immediately to check - there’s no sign of impact or debris. It just seems like the glass literally exploded on its own. Looks like BMWs have a defective sunroof coz there are thousands of reports on sunroofs exploding on various forums. The only reason I want to report this is because this is huge safety issue based on my experience when it happened and god forbid someone loses their life if they get all the glass into their eyes when their sunroof explodes while driving on freeway at this speed without any warning!

20251014ENGINE

Beginning Oct 1, 2025. The cars drivetrain warning came on intermittently until mechanics correctly diagnosed the issue. Thermostat valve failed to shut off properly causing the car to overheat. This has been an issue and recall already, just did not include my vin. Now it has happened to me at the cost of 2K and under 45k miles. heat management module had to be replaced due to the danger of overheating and complete car shut down. I am turning this into BMW as well.

Compare 2020BMWX3 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 BMW X3 have?
The 2020 BMW X3 has 98 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 BMW X3?
The 2020 BMW X3 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 BMW X3?
Yes, the 2020 BMW X3 has 16 recall(s). The most common affected component is BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 BMW X3?
The most-complained component for the 2020 BMW X3 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 26 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and ENGINE.
Is the 2020 BMW X3 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2020 BMW X3 has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.