| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2004 BMW X3 repairs by problem area
Engine (43%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (9%)
Brakes and Traction Control (3%)
Suspension and Steering (11%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (25%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (7%)
Other (3%)
Chart based on 148 repairs.
2004 BMW X3 repair cost distribution
$2500+ (3%)
$1000 - $2499 (14%)
$500 - $999 (20%)
$100 - $499 (36%)
< $100 (27%)
Chart based on 128 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2004 BMW X3
Engine not specified
| BMW X3 in California, United States Oct 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Nov 201064000 mi | 4X4 light on and car was driving on 4x4. Took car to dealer and was told of a valve leaking oil and broken actuator. Repair cost will be $2.5K. Told dealer that we'll seek a second opinion. Dealer charged us $160 even though was not... | ||
| BMW X3 in Kuwait Mar 2015 - Mar 2016 | |||
| Feb 201672120 mi$250 | Steering oil leaked plus carter bush changed. | ||
2004 BMW X3 4dr SUV
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD
| BMW X3 in Georgia, United States Nov 2009 - Jun 2014 | |||
| Dec 200967000 mi | The rear differential is bad. The repair shop fill it with oil but stated that the problem would still exist. They couldn't tell how long the temporary fix would last without replacing the differential and $2200 bucks. | ||
| BMW X3 in Utah, United States Mar 2010 - Jan 2016 | |||
| Sep 201087000 miUS $600 | Replaced drivers mirror motor. Replaced drivers mirror motor. | ||
| Jan 201195000 miUS $150 | xenon ignitor | ||
| Sep 2013129000 miUS $1000 | Fuel filter, fuel pump, | ||
| Jan 2016155000 miUS $600 | Starter went bad. Vehicle would not start. Replaced transfer case actuator gear | ||
| BMW X3 in Tennessee, United States May 2011 - Mar 2015 | |||
| Sep 201176000 miUS $23 | Replaced Roundel on front | ||
| Mar 2015101000 mi | Cooling sensor went and caused check engine light and low coolant level light | ||
2004 BMW X3 4dr SUV
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| BMW X3 in Iceland Sep 2006 - Sep 2012 | |||
| Sep 200612400 mi$500 | Engine hesitating at certain rpm band. 1 of 2 oxy sensors replaced in accordance with numerous fault codes from OBC. | ||
| Jun 200717360 mi$800 | Same problem again, engine hesitating at certain rpm band. Same oxy sensor again shown as faulty on OBC. As it had recently been changed the ECU was reprogrammed. This has eliminated the problem. | ||
| Oct 200719220 mi$450 | 1. Fluid leaking from a hose connection going into the power steering pump. Hose clip replaced. 2. BMW Assist overtook the radio and could not be turned off. Fault traced to the BMW Assist switch (which has never been used). | ||
| Jul 201141540 mi$350 | Severe vibration and knocking noise coming from front of car under sharp acceleration from standstill. Diagnosed as worn left engine mount which was replaced and fixed the problem. | ||
| Nov 201142860 mi$300 | Battery draining overnight. Tracked to telecommunication unit mostly and to panorama roof control unit slightly. Both disconnected. | ||
| Mar 201244640 mi | Front shocks both leaking, and need replacement. Rear coil springs both with broken pig tails and need replacement. | ||
| Jun 201247120 mi$1050 | All four shocks replaced with Bilstein HDs and rear coil springs also replaced. | ||
| BMW X3 in Nevada, United States Jun 2012 - Jun 2019 | |||
| Oct 201284800 miUS $150 | Replaced upstream O2 sensor for bank 2. Bank 1 sensor had been replaced 5 months earlier. | ||
| Jun 201396000 miUS $60 | Replace intake hose from air filter to engine. Had crack and was leaking air and causing lean condition. | ||
| Mar 2015110000 miUS $159 | Battery replacement | ||
| Jun 2015111000 miUS $5 | Had previously replaced Disa valve for intake system with replacement from Dorman. Gasket material was inferior and created intake leak. Pulled Disa valve, installed O-ring and resealed valve. Failure attributed to faulty part. | ||
| Sep 2015114000 miUS $380 | Replaced drive shaft due to worn universal joint. Unable to replace only universal. | ||
| Mar 2016117000 miUS $40 | Leaking valve cover gasket. | ||
| Aug 2016119000 miUS $100 | Replaced worn control arm bushing and ball joint | ||
| Mar 2017123000 miUS $300 | Replaced bearings and seals in transfer case. Also replaced transmission fluid and filter. | ||
| Oct 2017126000 miUS $130 | Water pump bearings failed. Pump was replaced at 80,000 miles roughly and was replaced with aftermarket part. | ||
| Jan 2018127000 miUS $30 | Replace leaking upper rad hose. | ||
| BMW X3 in California, United States Jul 2011 - Aug 2011 | |||
| Aug 201197000 miUS $2000 | replaced front brakes, front bushings, repaired rear diff leak. | ||
| BMW X3 in California, United States Feb 2013 - Apr 2013 | |||
| Apr 201368000 miUS $4500 | Needed new AC compressor after only 67,000 miles? Terrible. Needed new xenon headlamp Supposed leaking water pump was replaced when that was not the issue at all | ||
| BMW X3 in North Carolina, United States Feb 2014 - Mar 2015 | |||
| Nov 2014142300 miUS $400 | Replaced Starter. Replaced CVV and intake gaskets. | ||
| BMW X3 in Maryland, United States Jan 2017 - Aug 2021 | |||
| Mar 2017109000 mi | One of the sunroof track springs had busted (common issue with that year- check forums). Using a technique posted on Youtube, I hacked the sunroof track system so that I could restore sunroof operation for the FRONT sunroof (the REAR sunroof now remains closed and will not tilt). It involved just Dremeling-off two triangular portions of the track. | ||
| Jul 2017113077 miUS $153 | The front brakes were squealing when lightly braking since the replacement Chinese-made replacement brake rotors were installed 9,000 miles ago. Read that this was a common issue for non-BMW rotors, so I replaced the brake rotors with ATE (OEM supplier) brake rotors. | ||
| Nov 2017113885 mi | Car would not crank. Thought the issue was the starter, so I replaced it with a new Bosch starter motor. Car would not crank. Replaced the faulty car battery under battery warranty (battery was about one-year old). | ||
| Jan 2018116350 miUS $97 | Leak in the coolant system. Assumed it was leaking from the coolant expansion tank (common problem for this model) so replaced the expansion tank with the OEM version. Also flushed coolant and added new BMW coolant. | ||
| Nov 2018122000 miUS $160 | Car rode rough over bad pavement. Replaced driver and passenger motor mounts. | ||
| Mar 2019124000 miUS $1217 | Service light came on and said that the car was running lean because of an air leak. Poor fuel economy. Replaced radiator, upper and lower radiator hoses, auxiliary switch, coolant, and air mass meter boot | ||
| Oct 2019129000 miUS $167 | Service light came on, car running lean. Replaced intake manifold adjusting unit (aka DISA valve). | ||
| May 2020132000 miUS $29 | Ride was rough. Replaced transfer case mount. | ||
| Jul 2020132000 miUS $543 | Service light for vacuum leak. Replaced vacuum lines from back of intake manifold. Slow oil leak. Replaced valve cover gasket. | ||
| Jan 2021130000 miUS $501 | Transmission whined at certain speeds and still was hesitant to shift gears. Shop added additional transmission fluid. Transmission produced loud wallowing at highway speeds and knocked hard over rough pavement, as well as shifting roughly and holding gears in higher revs. Determined that the rear driveshaft's U-joint was bad and replaced with a remanufactured rear driveshaft from ebay. | ||
| Jul 2021133000 miUS $165 | A/C compressor died and had to replace with a new compressor. Replaced battery | ||
| BMW X3 in New Jersey, United States Aug 2015 - Dec 2016 | |||
| Feb 2016113900 miUS $600 | Climate control not working or intermittent. a couple sensors replaced. | ||
| Mar 2016114000 miUS $600 | starter motor failure. flat bedded car to nearest shop. | ||
| Jun 2016116000 miUS $3200 | Rough idle caused by DISA valve. Oil leak in pan gasket. 17 hour repair job, big expense for cheap part. Over 2400 bucks just to change a gasket. | ||
| Nov 2016118000 miUS $150 | Exhaust loud on acceleration. Vacuum operated valve in exhaust by muffler not operating. Vacuum line repaired. Noise returned several days later. Internet search shows this to be common; users and dealers hack repair: block vacuum and valve. | ||
| BMW X3 in California, United States Sep 2009 - Nov 2017 | |||
| Oct 200956000 miUS $800 | passenger window wouldn't close or open. | ||
| Nov 201182000 miUS $500 | oil leak in back pinion | ||
| Jan 201284000 miUS $250 | broken sunroof | ||
| Sep 201298000 miUS $146 | alarm kept randomly going off | ||
| Jan 2015151700 miUS $1000 | New battery needed. Original battery died and needed to be replaced. | ||
| Sep 2015139000 miUS $150 | Coolant light came on while driving but went off by the time I went to the shop. No codes were noted and coolant level was full. Not sure what happened. | ||
| Jan 2016135200 miUS $500 | water intrusion from rain soaked back passenger floorboard area- weather stripping was replaced. coolant light came on - coolant tank was replaced. | ||
| Jan 2017155157 miUS $900 | remove and replace front lower control arm bushing | ||
| Mar 2017158000 miUS $20 | right rear passenger window regulator clip broke. regulator clip and door panel clip retainers were replaced | ||
| Nov 2017167000 miUS $140 | secondary air system causing check engine soon light to turn on. The repair estimate was above $2000 so I decided not to do it and get a new car instead. check engine soon light turned on right after I left the smog check shop. | ||
| BMW X3 in New Jersey, United States Feb 2012 - Feb 2014 | |||
| Jan 2013100300 miUS $150 | Valve cover gasket leak (leak appeared at 98k miles). | ||
| Jul 2013105700 miUS $159 | Rear springs was cutting into rear tires (broken). Springs were replaced (as well as shocks). Tires are no longer getting shredded after repair. (Problem was found out from a flat tire while driving after TPM came on) | ||
| Nov 2013109000 miUS $60 | Radiator leak | ||
| BMW X3 in Florida, United States Apr 2010 - May 2014 | |||
| May 201067000 miUS $50 | Rear passenger window would not stay closed. It kept sliding down. Front passenger door creaking. There's a vibration in the rear near the exhaust which had a repair done. No vibration before the repair. Told this was "normal." | ||
| Jan 201175000 miUS $1760 | Not enough room to describe - Vent Valve, Water Pump, Oil leak, entire belt system, belt tensioner, etc. Not enough room to describe - Vent Valve, Water Pump, Oil leak, entire belt system, belt tensioner, etc. | ||
| Mar 201177000 miUS $468 | DISA Valve. Replaced by independent shop for $214 after having been quoted $468 by BMW dealer. DISA Valve | ||
| May 201179000 miUS $35 | Pumps for front and rear window washers failed (leaking) and were repaired by owner. Ordered parts from ebay. Replaced windshield wiper pumps (2) and filters. Both were leaking. Bought parts on ebay and completed repairs ourselves. | ||
| Feb 201288700 miUS $650 | Oil leak - Valve Cover Gasket and Oil Filter Housing Gasket | ||
| Mar 201289000 mi | I have a recurring problem with the "service engine soon" light coming on and a message that the system is too lean. Can't find the problem. | ||
| BMW X3 in New Jersey, United States Oct 2009 - Sep 2012 | |||
| May 201294000 miUS $160 | Diagnose sunroof not closing | ||
| Aug 201297000 miUS $600 | Compressor seized, replaced. | ||
| Sep 201297000 mi | Never fixed sunroof because quoted $3,500. Sold X3 at a discount to reflect this. | ||
| BMW X3 in California, United States Sep 2009 - Dec 2013 | |||
| Oct 200935000 miUS $500 | Front passenger seat belt was locked in fully retracted position. Replaced seat belt mechanism. | ||
| Aug 201040700 miUS $200 | Intermittent service engine soon light. Service pulled a fault code but could not diagnose what caused it. Light not illuminated at the time of repair. Repaired a vacuum hose. Light hasn't returned. | ||
| Dec 201150000 miUS $500 | MAP thermostat short to positive. Replaced MAP thermostat. | ||
| Jul 201361000 miUS $1200 | Cracked expansion tank. | ||
2004 BMW X3 4dr SUV
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| BMW X3 in New York, United States Mar 2015 - Dec 2015 | |||
| Apr 201590000 miUS $800 | engine oil leaks, engine valve gasket replaced. | ||
| Jul 201591700 mi | 1. Error code : P0172, P0175, engine stalled and suddenly stop sometimes. the shop told me might be MAF or intake pipe air leaks or failed fuel system. 2. Computer malfunction. The door can't be unlocked without remote control. | ||
| Dec 201598000 miUS $175 | Remote key battery not charged, must be replace a new key due to out of battery. Driver side key knob not functional, and can not be fixed. | ||
| BMW X3 in Washington, United States Feb 2010 - Apr 2015 | |||
| Jan 2011134800 miUS $500 | Coolant expansion tank and water pump leaking. Replaced both parts along with coolant and belts. | ||
| Dec 2013133000 miUS $300 | Replaced battery Drivers window control switch had to be replaced | ||
| Dec 2014141000 miUS $500 | Rattling coming form the front of the engine. Had to replace all three pulleys. | ||
| BMW X3 in California, United States Aug 2015 - Jan 2017 | |||
| Sep 201563000 miUS $25 | just had fluid topped off due to small leaj | ||
| Oct 201675700 miUS $500 | Changed sway bar links. Fixed slow speed rubbing. | ||
| BMW X3 in Florida, United States Apr 2016 - Jun 2016 | |||
| Apr 201684000 miUS $1500 | Major water leak from passenger side | ||
| BMW X3 in Georgia, United States Sep 2017 - Jun 2022 | |||
| Feb 2021195000 miUS $75 | Rough running and codes. Repaired multiple intake air leaks. | ||
| Mar 2021197000 miUS $74 | Replaced worn front drive shaft | ||
| Mar 2022209000 miUS $62 | Replaced coolant pipes under intake manifold. | ||
| Apr 2022210000 miUS $105 | Replaced rear shocks. | ||
| BMW X3 in Virginia, United States Sep 2007 - Aug 2014 | |||
| Jul 200748000 mi | Left engine mount cracked, causing kickback and sound from steering when turning left and accelerating hard simultaneously. Repaired under warranty. | ||
| Mar 200858300 miUS $150 | Passenger front speaker failed, unknown cause. Both front speakers replaced with similar aftermarket speakers. | ||
| May 200976000 miUS $450 | Left front wheel bearing cracked. Repaired with new OEM parts. | ||
| Aug 200980000 miUS $450 | Replaced worn right front wheel bearing | ||
| Oct 200985000 miUS $64 | Replaced headlight washer pump. | ||
| Nov 200986000 miUS $260 | Vehicle unresponsive to remote control, NOT key related. | ||
| Jun 2011107000 miUS $1600 | Grinding noise coming from leaking front right strut. Lower control arm also bent. Replaced both front struts, lower control arms, and sway bar links. 4-wheel alignment done afterwards. | ||
| Apr 2012126000 miUS $498 | DISA variable intake valve failed. Unit replaced. | ||
| Apr 2013152000 miUS $931 | A crankcase ventiliation valve hose was leaking, triggering the SES light. Entire CVV system and hoses were replaced. | ||
| Sep 2013161000 miUS $80 | Misfire in 2 cylinders, diagnosed as failed ignition coils. | ||
| Oct 2013162500 miUS $645 | Replaced left lower control arm due to worn ball joint. Cracked expansion tank replaced along with hoses. | ||
| Jan 2014166000 miUS $350 | Right front ball joint worn, so had to replace right lower control arm. | ||
| Mar 2014171000 miUS $265 | Leaking oil filter housing gasket leaking and repaired. | ||
| BMW X3 in Oklahoma, United States Dec 2015 - Feb 2019 | |||
| Jul 2016121000 miUS $2500 | Failed gasket around oilpan and failed seal on transmission Failed starter. currently waiting on a mobile mechanic to replace starter. at least it failed at home in the driveway and not somewhere else. Symptom: occasional trouble turning engine over when trying to start car. | ||
| Sep 2016121000 miUS $400 | starter replaced by mobile mechanic. car working okay, ran a bit rough. took to a repair shop for tune up. | ||
| Jan 2018125300 miUS $300 | car had trouble starting in weather below freezing. EML, brake and stability control lights came on, along with check engine. mechanics replaced spark plugs, did tune up and replace transfer case fluid. still had same problem on cold startup. mechanics recalibrated whole electronics system, including stability control, no further issues--but it hasn't been below freezing, so we'll see if that actually worked. engine sounds good, driving feels very smooth. | ||
| Feb 2018127000 miUS $750 | engine freezing, fast fluxuating rpms, stability control system going crazy in weather 32 degrees F and below. mechanic had trouble figuring out the issue. ended up replacing entire intake manifold and now car runs like new | ||
| BMW X3 in Indiana, United States Feb 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Apr 201039200 miUS $2000 | Had To replace sunroof cassette | ||
| BMW X3 in Florida, United States Sep 2011 - Sep 2015 | |||
| Sep 201173000 miUS $397 | I had to replace the rear RH window regulator. | ||
| Oct 201173300 miUS $1911 | Small oil leak on the garage floor. Had to replace oil separator system (acc. to forums a common failure) and valve cover gaskets on the engine at 70,000 miles at a cost of almost $2,000.00. This will prevent me from ever buying another BMW. | ||
| Jan 201376000 mi | This is the second time I would have to spend $1,900 to replace leaking seals etc. The first time I had all gaskets, seals & O rings replace at a cost of $1,700. Strangely enough the leak occurred after a trip for an oil change, etc. | ||
| Apr 201381200 mi | Rear left window gear broken. Loud snap noise and window will no longer operate. Prior to this,right window gear broken and repaired at cost of $400. Chose to delay repair until I find a better price. | ||
| Sep 201382000 mi | BMW dealer attempted to charge me $140.00 to investigate a battery trouble light. I refused. Turned out to be a sensor problem due to lack of use of the vehicle. The ride back from the dealer corrected the problem itself. | ||
| Jan 201580800 miUS $1100 | Oil pan leaking in two places | ||
| Aug 201586500 miUS $1100 | Oil pan leak | ||
| BMW X3 in Massachusetts, United States Sep 2009 - Feb 2014 | |||
| Aug 201036000 miUS $50 | Left rear window regulator failed, window fell inside door. | ||
| Aug 201142000 miUS $1500 | Right rear rotor starting to seize. | ||
| Oct 201143200 miUS $1305 | lower steering shaft failed | ||
| Feb 201454000 mi | ABS & DSC dash lights on | ||
| BMW X3 in Pennsylvania, United States Sep 2009 - Jun 2010 | |||
| Dec 200943000 miUS $50 | emissions sensor malfunction-- sensor replaced | ||
| Apr 201045000 mi | Have had engine noise since April 2008. Dealer stated no problems shown on computer. Have had independent oil analysis done & have given dealer results several times showing excess bearing wear or a cracked head or casting. | ||
| Jun 201045000 mi | engine bearing noise-- dealer says nothing wrong-- oil analysis says problem much worse & bearing is ready to fail | ||
| BMW X3 in Georgia, United States Jul 2010 - Jun 2014 | |||
| Nov 201090000 miUS $250 | the engine light went on, it was repaired | ||
| Oct 2011109800 miUS $800 | oil leak, one fixed one still needed | ||
| Sep 2012129000 miUS $1700 | We had to have the oil pan replaced or repaired. The majority of the expense was due to labor not parts, as it is hard to reach in the x3. | ||
| May 2013130000 miUS $550 | The car wouldn't start, tried a new battery but it turned out to be the starter. It cost 550.00 The car wouldn't start, tried a new battery but it turned out to be the starter. It cost 550.00 | ||
| Apr 2014150000 miUS $350 | Seal repair. | ||
| BMW X3 in New Jersey, United States Apr 2013 - Jun 2015 | |||
| Oct 2014110300 miUS $1800 | had to replace the DCU | ||
| BMW X3 in Indiana, United States Aug 2012 - Sep 2012 | |||
| Sep 201282000 miUS $560 | The pipe going to the rear windshield washer sprayer was leaking. Dealer took front and back seats out, replaced the pipe and did oil change and replaced wiper blades. | ||
2004 BMW X3 4-door
turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel manual AWD
| BMW X3 in Cyprus Jul 2011 - Jul 2016 | |||
| Aug 201133480 mi€400 | turbo blew passengers window stuck, motor replaced | ||
| Jun 201356420 mi€360 | Passenger's window motor failed Window motor | ||
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