DefectRecord Public Record - Not a Government Site

Home / BMW / X3 / 2004

Model Year Problem Record

BMW X3 2004 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2004 BMW X3: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

138Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
3Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
34Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Seats33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags33 complaints

33 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 08V384000.

Electrical System20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

08V384000Reported August 5, 2008 - 200,000 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on August 5, 2008. The campaign covers an estimated 200,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA08001Opened January 4, 2008 - Closed December 31, 2008

BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION. Resulted in recall campaign 08V384000.

EA08001Opened January 4, 2008 - Closed December 31, 2008

BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION. Resulted in recall campaign 08V384000.

EA08001Opened January 4, 2008 - Closed December 31, 2008

BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION. Resulted in recall campaign 08V384000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20049
200523
20068
20077
20085
20095
201014
20119
201212
20138
20146
20159
20165
20173
20186
20205
20222
20231
20251
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.