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2016 Bmw X3 Electrical Problems

6 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

6
Complaints
1
Fires
Apr 2021Nov 2022
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (6)

highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jul 2025

Your air conditioning system has stopped working completely. You've also been notified about a recall for the coolant pump that could potentially create a fire hazard, but no fix has been made available yet after almost a year. Addressing both issues will likely require a new A/C compressor and/or condenser replacement, plus the coolant pump repair once a remedy becomes available.

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NHTSA #: 11676814
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2025

Your electric water pump has developed an internal short circuit that drains your battery even when the vehicle is turned off. This will cause your battery to die if the car sits unused for a period of time. The water pump will likely need to be replaced to restore normal operation.

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NHTSA #: 11655085
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2022

When coming to a stop, my trunk continues to open and will not close unless you turn the car off and get out and close it. I tried to replace the battery in my key fob, but it will not work. The trunk button when you hold it down, says “remote battery, change battery.”. The rear hatch continues to open every time you stop your car unless you hold the trunk button down. This is extremely unsafe having things, people, or items in your car or trunk because it opens while operating your car.

NHTSA #: 11492014
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: May 2021

IT HAD BEEN RAINING IN MY AREA THE WEEK OF 4/16/2021. ON THE EVENING OF 4/16/2021 MY REAR HATCH CONTROL AND REAR HATCH ALARM STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. I DISCOVERED WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT IN THE REAR HATCH. I BROUGHT MY SUV TO THE SHOP/DEALER FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THE SUNROOF FRAME WAS CRACKED ALLOWING WATER PENETRATION FROM THE HEADLINER TO THE REAR HATCH CAUSING THE HATCH CONTROL UNIT TO MALFUNCTION. MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE NEVER STORED OR TRANSPORTED ANYTHING ON MY ROOF. THE REPAIR SHOP/DEALER WAS UNABLE TO OFFER A REASON FOR WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE SUNROOF FRAME TO CRACK. THE ONLY EXPLANATION THAT MAKES SENSE IS THAT THE SUNROOF WAS EITHER INSTALLED IMPROPERLY BY THE MANUFACTURER OR THE SUNROOF FRAME IS DEFECTIVE. IT WAS $4,298.08 TO REPAIR THE SUNROOF AND CONTROL UNIT. THIS IS MOST CONCERNING AS MY SUV IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD, ONLY HAS 81,448 MILES AND THERE IS NO RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE FOR THE SUNROOF.

NHTSA #: 11415249
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2021

I DROVE MY 2016 BMW X3 FOR ABOUT 30 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY. I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND CAME TO A STOP AT A LIGHT. MY REAR HATCH OPENED WHILE AT THE LIGHT AND MY VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. I HAD TWO DOGS IN THE REAR AREA THAT NEARLY JUMPED OUT. WE DID DETERMINED THAT A KEY FOB IN A POCKET PROBABLY WAS PRESSED. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND THE DOORS ARE LOCKED THERE IS NO REASON A REAR HATCH SHOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN. I WAS ABLE TO REENACT THIS EXACT SAME SITUATION WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, AND THE DOORS LOCKED BY PUSHING THE HATCH BUTTON. ITDOES ALLOW THE REAR HATCH TO FULLY OPEN EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE.

NHTSA #: 11407824
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FireFiled: Sep 2020

ON 8/30/20,AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR AFTER A LONG DRIVE, THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES AND BURNED DOWN TWO ADJACENT HOMES. THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR AN HOUR BEFORE IT STARTED TO BURN.

NHTSA #: 11354903

Other 2016 Bmw X3 Issues