2020 BMW X3: recalls and complaints

NHTSA advisory: park outsideCampaign 25V636000. NHTSA received the report on 23 Sep 2025. 199,674 units. Electrical System / Starter Assembly / Relay

Remedy of campaign 25V636000, in the NHTSA record

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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.

NHTSA advisory: do not driveCampaign 19V678000. NHTSA received the report on 25 Sep 2019. 368 units. Suspension / Front

Remedy of campaign 19V678000, in the NHTSA record

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.

Do-not-drive advisory: A mark on a recall campaign in the NHTSA recall file. This site shows the mark as NHTSA sets it.

Park-outside advisory: A mark on a recall campaign in the NHTSA recall file. This site shows the mark as NHTSA sets it.

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2020 BMW X3. The newest campaign is 25V636000. NHTSA received the report on 23 Sep 2025. The NHTSA record gives the component Electrical System / Starter Assembly / Relay. NHTSA has no complaint on file for this model year.

This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.

NHTSA VIN lookup

Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.
NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on 1 Oct 2026. Complaint file through 29 Mar 2018. Recall file through 29 Sep 2026.

Since the last update

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

Recall campaigns

16 campaigns, newest first. 824,229 units in total.

25V63600023 Sep 2025Electrical System / Starter Assembly / RelayAdvisory
24V76400015 Oct 2024Structure
24V53400017 Jul 2024Structure
23V21100029 Mar 2023Seats
21V5980002 Aug 2021Engine
21V09600019 Feb 2021Back Over Prevention / Software
20V59800030 Sep 2020Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera
20V60100030 Sep 2020Electrical System / Propulsion System / Traction Battery
20V49000018 Aug 2020Electrical System / Propulsion System / Traction Battery
20V44300029 Jul 2020Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera
20V35500015 Jun 2020Steering / Linkages / Tie Rod Assembly
20V16400019 Mar 2020Seat Belts / Pretensioner
20V15200018 Mar 2020Electrical System / Instrument Cluster/Panel
19V73800016 Oct 2019Steering / Rack and Pinion / Pinion Shaft
19V68400027 Sep 2019Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera
19V67800025 Sep 2019Suspension / FrontAdvisory

25V636000Received 23 Sep 2025. 199,674 units.
Electrical System / Starter Assembly / RelayPark-outside advisory
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 6 Feb 2026.
24V764000Received 15 Oct 2024. 8,725 units.
Structure
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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. Vehicles in this recall were previously remedied for this issue under recall number 24V-534 and will need to have the new repair completed.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Dec 2024.
24V534000Received 17 Jul 2024. 282,387 units.
Structure
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 2 Jan 2025.
23V211000Received 29 Mar 2023. 51 units.
Seats
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 22 May 2023.
21V598000Received 2 Aug 2021. 50,024 units.
Engine
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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 braking (without assist) remains available.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 17 Sep 2021.
21V096000Received 19 Feb 2021. 13,858 units.
Back Over Prevention / Software
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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 Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 16 Apr 2021.
20V598000Received 30 Sep 2020. 312 units.
Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 18 Nov 2020.
20V601000Received 30 Sep 2020. 4,509 units.
Electrical System / Propulsion System / Traction Battery
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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 during their production.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 24 Nov 2020.
20V490000Received 18 Aug 2020. 713 units.
Electrical System / Propulsion System / Traction Battery
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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. Although potentially affected BMW owners received interim owner notification letters, all potentially affected BMW owner vehicles have been remedied; therefore, BMW Final owner notification letters will not be necessary. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Oct 2020.
20V443000Received 29 Jul 2020. 5 units.
Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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 vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
An inoperative rearview camera display can increase the risk of a crash when reversing.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Aug 2020.
20V355000Received 15 Jun 2020. 2,779 units.
Steering / Linkages / Tie Rod Assembly
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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 resulting in a fractured tie rod.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Manufacturer campaign number Toyota: 20TA09. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Aug 2020.
20V164000Received 19 Mar 2020. 3,316 units.
Seat Belts / Pretensioner
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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 in the front seat belt buckles may inaccurately detect a belted occupant as unbelted, possibly causing the air bag and seat belt pretensioners to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioners deploy improperly in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 18 May 2020.
20V152000Received 18 Mar 2020. 15 units.
Electrical System / Instrument Cluster/Panel
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag could damage the instrument panel and cause small pieces of the panel to strike the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 May 2020.
19V738000Received 16 Oct 2019. 20 units.
Steering / Rack and Pinion / Pinion Shaft
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A loss of steering control increases risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC.
19V684000Received 27 Sep 2019. 257,473 units.
Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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 Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 8 Nov 2019.
19V678000Received 25 Sep 2019. 368 units.
Suspension / FrontDo-not-drive advisory
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Broken swivel bearings can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

Complaints by component

The NHTSA complaint file has no complaint for this model year.

Investigations

The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

Other model years

The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

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Official channels

NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
NHTSA page of the 2020 BMW X3The recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

Cite this page

Recall Register. 2020 BMW X3: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/bmw/x3/2020/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through 29 Sep 2026.

Sources

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence: US government work, public domain
Recall file through: 29 Sep 2026
Complaint file through: 29 Mar 2018
First complaint in the file: 1 Jan 1995
Manufacturer in the recall file: BMW of North America, LLC

The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2020 BMW X3?: 824,229 units in 16 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.
How many recall campaigns does the BMW X3 have for all model years?: NHTSA lists 60 recall campaigns for the BMW X3, model years 2004 to 2026. 16 of them name the 2020 model year.
Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2020 BMW X3 open?: The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.