NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2019 BMW X3
Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.
The BMW X3 is a compact luxury SUV that has anchored the premium crossover segment for years, targeting buyers who want European driving refinement alongside the practicality of a raised ride height and available all-wheel drive. Competing against the Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5, the X3 pitches itself at affluent families and driving enthusiasts who refuse to compromise on either dynamics or daily usability.
The 2019 BMW X3 earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 81 out of 100, an strong result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. Both frontal and side crash protection reached the full 5 stars. It has 10 recalls on record, reflected in the score.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
Reviewers generally regard the BMW X3 as one of the more rewarding compact luxury SUVs to drive, praising its composed handling and well-appointed cabin. Most acknowledge it faces stiff competition in a crowded segment. Opinions on value relative to its price point tend to be more divided, though the driving experience consistently earns favorable mention across professional assessments.
NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 13354
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
STRUCTURE24V764000
Risk: Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicles in this recall were previously remedied for this issue under recall number 24V-534 and will need to have the new repair completed.
Reported 2024-10-15
STRUCTURE24V534000
Risk: Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2024-07-17
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL21V521000
Risk: A deactivated front air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat foam, which includes the occupant classification system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2021-07-08
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA21V096000
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2021-02-19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL20V152000
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag could damage the instrument panel and cause small pieces of the panel to strike the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel casing, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2020-03-18
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA19V684000
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Reported 2019-09-27
SEATS19V563000
Risk: In the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury if the seatback folds forward or rearward.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seats, free of charge. The recall began September 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2019-07-31
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE19V291000
Risk: If the front passenger air bag does not deploy properly in the event of a crash, the occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2019-04-10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER18V453000
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the rear brake circuit, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2018-07-06
LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST18V374000
Risk: If the sensors do not properly detect the driver's hands are off the wheel, the driver may not be alerted by one or more warning signals, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 19, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2018-06-06
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
163 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.