2008 BMW X3 BMW X3 2008

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2008 BMW X3 repairs by problem area

Engine (47%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (9%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (13%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (17%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (8%)

Other (1%)

Chart based on 87 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 BMW X3.

2008 BMW X3 repair cost distribution

$2500+ (6%)

$1000 - $2499 (20%)

$500 - $999 (17%)

$100 - $499 (27%)

< $100 (30%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 66 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 BMW X3

Engine not specified

BMW X3 in Maryland, United States
Jul 2012 - Sep 2012
Sep 2012

65000 mi

US $971
Exhaust Camshaft valve lifter replaced. Service Engine Soon light came on. Dealer replaced VANOS. Oil leak around valve cover. Change oil and filter. 

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2008 BMW X3 4dr SUV

turbocharged 174hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

BMW X3 in Norway
Sep 2011 - Dec 2011
Oct 2011

44640 mi

$7000
Power drain from battery. Nav computer did not go to sleep. Disconnected plug from nav computer. 
BMW X3 in New South Wales, Australia
Dec 2012 - Jan 2022
Jan 2013

A $590
Battery needing replacing. 
Dec 2013

43400 mi

A $100
Transfer Shift Case Motor needs replacing 
Sep 2016

57660 mi

A $309
Replacement of Battery 

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2008 BMW X3 4dr SUV

260-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

BMW X3 in Ontario, Canada
May 2013 - Apr 2017
Jul 2015

87200 mi

C $600
Front and Rear shocks water pump was failing and therefore required replacing Engine valve cover gasket is failing and therefore bleeding oil 
Mar 2016

94240 mi

C $650
DMTL pump needed to be replaced 
May 2016

95640 mi

C $1000
Engine valve cover gasket Ignition coils and plugs replaced 
Nov 2016

100440 mi

C $2500
Transfer case required rebuild 
BMW X3 in Maryland, United States
Jan 2013 - Feb 2013
Feb 2013

55000 mi
water leak 
BMW X3 in Colorado, United States
Oct 2013 - Sep 2020
Feb 2014

40000 mi

US $130
Software upgrade 
Jun 2015

55000 mi

US $1000
Replaced broken rear spring - replaced in pairs as only one spring was broken 
Jun 2017

73000 mi
Valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, vvt gasket, heat exchanger. There were signs of oil seepage, not enough to cause adding oil in between oil changes, so I just had everything changed to prevent a serious outcome.  
BMW X3 in New York, United States
Dec 2012 - Jan 2013
Jan 2013

59000 mi
Replaced steering angle sensor, battery. Replaced exhaust rockers, lifters under TSB. Replaced windshield trim. 
BMW X3 in California, United States
Sep 2014 - Jun 2022
Nov 2014

35000 mi

US $10
Windshield wash pump inoperative; replaced w/ non-oem unit. 15 minute task. 
Dec 2016

41000 mi

US $400
Check Engine Light Wobbly brake pedal low coolant warning light. Topped up w/ distilled water & pressure tested w/ no leaks. 
Sep 2017

44000 mi
Diagnose Check Engine Light 
Mar 2018

47000 mi

US $2400
Direct Ignition Coil replace VANOS problem TPMS system reset 
Aug 2021

63000 mi

US $1200
Coolant warning light on, pressure test for coolant leak, no evidence of leakage. 
BMW X3 in Washington, United States
Mar 2011 - Nov 2021
Nov 2021

46000 mi

US $150
battery replacement 
BMW X3 in California, United States
Sep 2016 - Sep 2020
Oct 2016

62000 mi

US $100
Replaced tail gate latch. 
Nov 2016

63000 mi

US $100
Steering sensor replaced Replaced leaking oil filter housing gasket. 
Jun 2017

69000 mi

US $40
Replaced front suspension torque arm. Replaced strut torque arms at recommendation of repair show due to feathering on edges of tires. Replaced tensioner pulley 
Aug 2017

75000 mi

US $10
Replaced windshield washer pump. 
Jun 2020

108000 mi

US $1200
Replaced driveshaft,  rear springs, shocks, struts and brakes  
BMW X3 in Ohio, United States
Jul 2015 - Feb 2018
Sep 2015

83000 mi

US $2400
Drive Guibo, Valve cover gaskets, drive belt and tensioner, spark plugs 
Jan 2016

125800 mi

US $2400
Replace Struts, Front Brakes 
Mar 2016

105000 mi

US $758
Service Engine Light on, car ran well. Replaced both VANOS Solenoids, changed oil 
Dec 2016

130000 mi

US $1200
Transfer Case replaced with actuator 
BMW X3 in Florida, United States
Dec 2014 - Dec 2015
Jan 2015

83500 mi

US $400
I felt the shimmy when I touched my brakes. Took it to one of the finest BMW mechanic shops in Jacksonville. Carroll Autowerks. I had cracked control arm bushings ONLY and both sides replaced. 
Dec 2015

85000 mi

US $1834
Service engine soon light on & extreme vibration. Work performed replaced faulty eccentric shaft sensor(incl. seal), valve cover gasket, camshaft adjust seal & replaced faulty belt tensioner. 
BMW X3 in Virginia, United States
Oct 2014 - Mar 2016
Jan 2015

82500 mi

US $250
VANOS solinoids replaced 
Jun 2015

88000 mi

US $150
Very small leak at evap system. Software update 
Nov 2015

95000 mi

US $70
Car was misfiring, replaced all 6 spark plugs. 
Mar 2016

100000 mi

US $250
Emissions; DMTL pump replacement (2nd one) 
BMW X3 in Virginia, United States
Feb 2012 - Apr 2012
Mar 2012

32000 mi
Service Engine Soon light came on. Dealer replaced VANOS under warranty. Oil leak around valve cover 
BMW X3 in Florida, United States
Feb 2011 - Aug 2014
Feb 2012

44700 mi

US $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. 
BMW X3 in Hong Kong, China
Feb 2011 - Dec 2011
Oct 2011

23140 mi

$2000
Airbag, and other warning lights came on dashboard. Diagnoised as sensor faulty. Also Sunroof motor not working, re-built motor to save cost. 
BMW X3 in Tennessee, United States
Sep 2011 - Dec 2011
Nov 2011

37000 mi
Warning display light for low coolant remained on though there was no problem with the coolant. 
BMW X3 in Maryland, United States
Feb 2011 - Oct 2017
Oct 2011

49700 mi
Portion of steering wheel hub worn smooth - replaced. 
Jan 2014

58200 mi

US $1200
fuel gauge malfunction - third time in 79,000 miles. Engine began to run rough. Replaced coil and spark plug 
Oct 2014

89300 mi

US $825
Fuel gauge frozen (3rd occurrence since new). First two repairs under warranty. 3rd dealer said it was 3 yrs since last failure and hence there would be no help. 
Aug 2015

102300 mi

US $2800
Failure of multiple ignition coils on trip - dealer in Maine repaired. Did excessive work not required to get car home. 
Aug 2017

133000 mi

US $4000
Rear differential replacement,  corroded spring mounts replaced, mscl items 
BMW X3 in Virginia, United States
Feb 2011 - Jun 2022
Oct 2015

70200 mi

US $250
Oil sensor stopped working and required replacement. 
Sep 2017

91000 mi
Air bag replacement due to massive recall. We waited 2 years for the parts to come in! 
Dec 2017

101000 mi

US $300
Cracked valve cover. Replaced gasket and cover. 
BMW X3 in Florida, United States
Feb 2011 - Mar 2012
Apr 2011

32700 mi
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 mi
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 mi
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 New York, United States
Feb 2011 - Sep 2012
Dec 2011

53000 mi

US $900
Rear springs replaced 
Apr 2012

57300 mi

US $350
Valve head gasket replaced. 
BMW X3 in California, United States
Feb 2011 - Dec 2011
Apr 2011

20000 mi
Valve lifter noise returned. Had to have new head installed. 
BMW X3 in Illinois, United States
Feb 2012 - Jan 2015
Jan 2013 Exhaust valve replacement due to engine ticking 
Dec 2013

54000 mi

US $50
Passenger Air Bag Sensor failed. Covered under BMW CPO warranty with $50 deductible. 
Jan 2015

47000 mi

US $510
Replaced all ignition coils. 
BMW X3 in Alberta, Canada
Sep 2011 - Oct 2021
Jan 2012

37820 mi
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. 
Oct 2013

51660 mi

C $1000
Both rear coil springs broken and replaced 
Sep 2021

95480 mi

C $1000
Steering angle sensor replacement 

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2008 BMW X3 4dr SUV

260-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD

BMW X3 in Oregon, United States
Feb 2011 - Aug 2017
Jun 2012

56000 mi
Rear sports differential seal replacement TSB. 
Jul 2017

96000 mi

US $80
Thermostat failed open. Required removal and replacement. Valve cover gasket was leaking into spark plugs. Oil leaking from oil filter housing. Repaced valve cover gaskets and oil filter housing gaskets. 
BMW X3 in New York, United States
Jul 2011 - Oct 2011
Sep 2011

33000 mi
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 mi
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. 

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2008 BMW X3 4-door

turbocharged 6-cylinder diesel automatic AWD

BMW X3 in Romania
Nov 2014 - May 2016
May 2016

49600 mi

$500
Transfer case actuator motor gear 

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2008 BMW X3 Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2008 BMW X3 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.