Bmw X3 years to avoid
Every Bmw X3 model year on file (2016-2026), ranked worst to best by severity index - the share of owner complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or fatality.
2017
Worst year on file
79.7
Severity index
Electrical System
Most-reported system
2019
Cleanest year on file
Ranked worst to best
| # | Model year | Severity | Complaints | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017 Bmw X3 | 79.7 Medium | 92 | Electrical System |
| 2 | 2022 Bmw X3 | 77.0 Medium | 83 | Unknown Or Other |
| 3 | 2024 Bmw X3 | 73.9 Medium | 42 | Electrical System |
| 4 | 2016 Bmw X3 | 67.6 Medium | 82 | Electrical System |
| 5 | 2023 Bmw X3 | 63.4 Medium | 15 | Engine |
| 6 | 2026 Bmw X3 | 60.5 Medium | 14 | Steering |
| 7 | 2018 Bmw X3 | 59.6 Medium | 76 | Electrical System |
| 8 | 2025 Bmw X3 | 57.2 Medium | 38 | Electrical System |
| 9 | 2021 Bmw X3 | 51.2 Medium | 113 | Electrical System |
| 10 | 2020 Bmw X3 | 50.0 Medium | 110 | Electrical System |
| 11 | 2019 Bmw X3 | 43.2 Low | 171 | Electrical System |
A high rank here means a larger share of this year's complaints described a crash, fire or injury - not that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and not a reliability or repair-cost rating. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold.
Bmw X3 complaints and recalls by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crashes | Fires | Severity | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 82 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 67.6 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2017 | 92 | 6 | 10 | 2 | 79.7 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2018 | 76 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 59.6 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2019 | 171 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 43.2 Low | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2020 | 110 | 16 | 2 | 6 | 50.0 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2021 | 113 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 51.2 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2022 | 83 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 77.0 Medium | UNKNOWN OR OTHER |
| 2023 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 63.4 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2024 | 42 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 73.9 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2025 | 38 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 57.2 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2026 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 60.5 Medium | STEERING |
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold; a high-volume seller will attract more filings than a rare trim.