Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 BMW X3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have been driving for over 2 years with defective air bags (front). I have received many notices about this but no results. The first notice said "in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's front air bag, excessive ionternal pressure could cause rupturing of the air bag inflator, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other passengers potentially resulting in serious injury or death. I was involved in a rear end collision and my air bag did not deploy!!!!!! I have advised my attorney of this recall ( over 2 years) in case I am killed by this defective air bag.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 BMW X3 sav. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning in the middle of three lanes of traffic. The contact exited the vehicle while the passenger remained inside. Another vehicle driving at a high rate of speed crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle, pushed the vehicle to the left, and caused it to crash into a curb. The air bags did not deploy. The driver was not injured. The front passenger sustained major injuries to the back, shoulder, and neck. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and the body damage was repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vanos housing bolts were supposedly replaced. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V605000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Beverly hills BMW (5070 wilshire blvd, los angeles, california 90036, [phone]) was made aware of the recall and stated that the part was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and provided the contact with customer number: 622363. In addition, while the vehicle was stationary, the air bag, 4x4, and brake indicators illuminated simultaneously upon starting the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 12/20/18
On May 31 2018 I took my X3 in to roseville BMW for air bag recall #b651617 passenger side seat mat they told mw part on order and do not have any person seating in that seat ubtill recall is compleited. It is now oct 4 2018 and no repair has been made. I just got 2 more recall notices from roseville BMW stating to call them about recall #b651617 paas seat mat. So I called service and they told me no parts have come in and do not know when the part will be shipped!!!!!, also on another note on this X3 I have also replaced window regulators all 4 and now both rear regulators broke again #5 and #6 that is not cheap why??????
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V605000 (air bags). The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator flickered. The contact called BMW of manhattan (67 wall st, new york, ny, [phone]) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The contact requested a rental vehicle, but the request was denied. The failure mileage was 93,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
I have a 2010 BMW X3 that needs a right front seat mat to correct air bag light on dash is on. Dealer told me part is on order and no person should sit in passenger seat until repaired. Will it is all most 1 year waiting on seat mat.(I had a recall for Takata air bag on steering wheel replaced. Witch was done faster than this seat mat.) I need to know how long BMW has to repair this problem???
Received from BMW, in March 2016, recall notice 16v-071, driver's front air bag module. As of this date, BMW still does not have the necessary parts available, and as of this date (12-21-2016) advised me not to expect them until early 2017 - almost a year later. My prior complaint to the NHTSA has been ignored. Somebody, somewhere, needs to be fired.
I have a recall on passengers seat mat replace. How long does BMW have to replace part???car was checked on 5/31/2018 and mat ordered. As of today 12/12/2018 there is no part and no one can seat in right front seatb untill repair is made, this is bs!!!!!! That it is taking this long and I would like to know why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 BMW X3. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received the interim notification letter in June of 2017. The dealer (advantage BMW midtown, 1305 gray st, houston, tx, 77002) was contacted at [phone] on three occasions. The contact was informed not to contact them any more and that they would contact him. The dealer asked the contact if he received his secondary letter. The manufacturer was contacted by email, but had not yet replied. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. ..updated 08/17/18 updated 12/1/2017
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 BMW X3 sav. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The contact called more than two dealers, but a specific date could not be provided for when the part would become available. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair the contact was not experiencing a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 06/01/17
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other X3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 BMW X3?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 BMW X3, 45% of the model year's 55 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 BMW X3 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-017 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020); NHTSA recall 17V-605 (occupant classification, Sep 28, 2017); NHTSA recall 16V-071 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 BMW X3 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.