2008 BMW X3 Problems and Repair Histories
2008 BMW X3 problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
See what people are saying about 2008 BMW X3 problems
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BMW X3
2008 BMW X3s for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2008 BMW X3 problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 2008 BMW X3 problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 2008 BMW X3 problems and repair histories that follow it.
BMW X3 Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 2008 | BMW X3 | 13 X3s, 7.9 months of data per X3, average 47200 miles Small sample size. Join or 13 X3s, 7.9 months of data per X3, average 47200 miles Small sample size. sign in to view |
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Non-members can see only ten 2008 BMW X3 problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2008 BMW X3 4dr SUV
turbocharged 174hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| BMW X3 in Norway | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 43400 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 44640 | 7000 | Power drain from battery. Nav computer did not go to sleep. Disconnected plug from nav computer. |
| Dec | 2011 | 45880 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW X3 in New South Wales, Australia | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2012 | 36580 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2013 | 36580 | 590 | Battery needing replacing. |
| Mar | 2013 | 36580 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2008 BMW X3 4dr SUV
260-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| BMW X3 in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 34000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2012 | 44300 | 400 | 3 lights coming on: brake light (in yellow), the airbag light, and the 4x4 with the triangle light. Intermittently faulty steering angle sensor, replaced it. |
| Mar | 2013 | 58000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW X3 in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2012 | 31000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2012 | 32000 | 0 | Service Engine Soon light came on. Dealer replaced VANOS under warranty. Oil leak around valve cover |
| Apr | 2012 | 32000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW X3 in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2012 | 59000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2013 | 59000 | 150 | Replaced steering angle sensor, battery. Replaced exhaust rockers, lifters under TSB. Replaced windshield trim. |
| BMW X3 in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2013 | 55000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2013 | 55000 | 0 | water leak |
| BMW X3 in Alberta, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 35960 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2012 | 37820 | 0 | Engine tick when cold. Intial oil change, did not repair issue, 2nd - change intake cam shaft - improvement but not full repair. 3rd - complete head replacement. Yet to ascertain if repair took care of issue. |
| Mar | 2013 | 47120 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW X3 in Tennessee, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 34000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2011 | 39000 | 0 | Warning display light for low coolant remained on though there was no problem with the coolant. |
| Dec | 2011 | 42000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW X3 in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 19000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2011 | 20000 | 0 | Valve lifter noise returned. Had to have new head installed. |
| Dec | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW X3 in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 41000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 50300 | 0 | Portion of steering wheel hub worn smooth - replaced. |
| Mar | 2013 | 70000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW X3 in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 31000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2011 | 33300 | 0 | Leaky sunroof seal and wind noise. Replaced seal and reprogrammed. Apparently, whenever they replace the seal, they must re-program something that detects when to stop the motor based on the pressure of closing the sunroof. Right rear reverse (white) light was not functional. It was replaced with a new bulb. Exhaust Camshaft valve lifter replaced which were causing a ticking sound. |
| Jun | 2011 | 36000 | 0 | fault code 2A87 for DME exhaust VANOS mechanism. Performed SIB 110208 and performed Test Plan B1214. replaced both VANOS solenoids and changed oil and filter. |
| Mar | 2012 | 49000 | 0 | There was oil leaking from the eccentric shaft & valvetronic motor gaskets. The dealer originally thought it was coming from the valve covers based on initial appearance. Windshield washers not spraying properly (2nd time in a year) Passenger side rearview mirror no longer tilts down when going in reverse. Passenger side rearview mirror motor stopped tilting down upon going into reverse. This was addressed in previous repair visit, but part was not in stock. The motor was replaced on this visit and is now working. |
| BMW X3 in Hong Kong, China | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 20460 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 23540 | 2000 | Airbag, and other warning lights came on dashboard. Diagnoised as sensor faulty. Also Sunroof motor not working, re-built motor to save cost. |
| Dec | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| BMW X3 in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 42000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 53000 | 900 | Rear springs replaced |
| Apr | 2012 | 57700 | 350 | Valve head gasket replaced. |
| Sep | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2008 BMW X3 4dr SUV
260-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD
| BMW X3 in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 32000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2011 | 33000 | 0 | Water leak into rear passenger compartment. Dealer discovered sunroof drain was clogged and left-rear vapor barrier was torn. Sunroof was removed to clear its drains, new left-rear vapor barrier installed, and other 3 were resealed. |
| Oct | 2011 | 33000 | 0 | Loud ticking noise from engine after not being driven for several days which went away after several minutes of driving. Turns out it is a common problem and there is a service bulletin that requires replacing the engine head. |
| BMW X3 in Oregon, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 35000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2012 | 56000 | 0 | Rear sports differential seal replacement TSB. |
| Mar | 2013 | 65000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| BMW X3 in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2012 | 63000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2012 | 65000 | 971 | Exhaust Camshaft valve lifter replaced. Service Engine Soon light came on. Dealer replaced VANOS. Oil leak around valve cover. Change oil and filter. |
Expert 2008 BMW X3 Repair Advice
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What People Are Saying about Problems with the 2008 BMW X3
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