Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (25% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Air Bags complaints here are 2.9× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 40 · 25% | Recalled | Recall 16V071000 |
| Seats | 37 · 23.1% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 28 · 17.5% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 21 · 13.1% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 18 · 11.2% | Recalled | Recall 22V119000 |
| Power Train | 15 · 9.4% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 160 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 16V071000 · 2016 · reported 02/05/2016
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 22V119000 · 2022 · reported 03/02/2022
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“MY VEHICLE IS UNDER TWO RECALLS: 17V605 17V683 AS RECOMMENDED, I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO THE BMW DEALER FOR THE RECALLS. THE DEALER RETURNED…”NHTSA complaint 11123837 — filed 08/31/2018 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL - MY VEHICLE HAS A RECALL AND NO ONE HAS A REMEDY FOR IT. NOT THE DEALER, MANUFACTURER OR TAKATA. THE ISSUE IS…”NHTSA complaint 11073937 — filed 02/20/2018 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR…”NHTSA complaint 10992201 — filed 05/30/2017 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 40 of 160 NHTSA complaints (25%), followed by seats (37), power train:automatic transmission (28), electrical system (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
160 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 5 involved a crash, 20 involved a fire, and 21 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16V071000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
