2016 BMW X3 vs 2018 BMW X3
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2016 BMW X3 | 2018 BMW X3 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 82 | 72 |
| Recall campaigns | 5 | 11 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 243 | 389 |
| Investigations | 2 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 7 | 4 |
| Fire reports | 3 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | — | — |
| Median reported incident mileage | 39,462 mi | 17,800 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | BMW X3 | BMW X3 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 23 | 20 |
| Engine | 13 | 15 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 18 | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 10 | 4 |
| Power Train | 9 | 2 |
| Steering | 3 | 7 |
| Structure | 2 | 8 |
| Air Bags | 4 | 5 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Overheating | 0 | 10 |
| Stalling | 0 | 6 |
2016 BMW X3
2018 BMW X3
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Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.