G01 BMW X3 (G01, 2018–2024)

Overview

Engines: 2.0L turbo four, 2.0L turbo four plug-in hybrid, 3.0L turbo inline-six, 355 hp, 3.0L turbo inline-six, 382 hp
On record: 5 warnings, 31 recalls

Sold as xDrive30i, sDrive30i (2019–2024), M40i, xDrive30e (2020–2021)

The story

Unveiled in June 2017, the G01 shares technology such as gesture control and the iDrive 6 screen with the G30 5 Series, and BMW says it is up to 55 kg lighter than a comparable F25. CarGurus says it was well received. CarGurus, a published reference

The M40i's 355 hp six rose to 382 hp for 2020, the year the xDrive30e plug-in hybrid arrived with about 18 miles of electric range. A full X3 M, a first for the X3, came in 2019. Edmunds, a published reference

A facelift for 2022 brought new lights and bumpers and a larger optional screen, gave the M40i a 48-volt mild hybrid system and dropped the plug-in hybrid. Edmunds, a published reference

Colors

Dark Olive Metallic2019
Terra Brown Metallic2019
Glacier Silver Metallic2019
Skyscraper Grey Metallic2023
Tanzanite Blue II Metallic2023

Show all 14 colors

Brooklyn Grey Metallic2023
Aventurin Red Metallic2023
Phytonic Blue Metallic2019–2023
Mineral White Metallic2019–2023
Black Sapphire Metallic2019–2023
Jet Black2019–2023
Alpine White2019–2023
Dark Graphite Metallic2019–2023
Carbon Black Metallic2019–2023

Interiors

Cognac with contrast stitchingVernasca leather, 2019–2023
Canberra Beige and BlackSensaTec leatherette, 2019
BlackSensaTec leatherette, 2019–2023
Canberra Beige and Black with contrast stitchingVernasca leather, 2019
Mocha with contrast stitchingVernasca leather, 2019

Show all 14 interiors

Black with blue contrast stitchingVernasca leather, 2019
Black with contrast stitchingVernasca leather, 2019
Oyster with contrast stitchingVernasca leather, 2019
Canberra BeigeSensaTec leatherette, 2023
MochaVernasca leather, 2023
BlackVernasca leather, 2023
CognacSensaTec leatherette, 2023
Tacora RedSensaTec leatherette, 2023
OysterVernasca leather, 2023

Sources: Edmunds

Specs

Badges

Engines

2.0L turbo four B48 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

248 hp and 258 lb-ft
2.0L turbo four plug-in hybrid B48 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

288 hp and 310 lb-ft together with the motor · 2020–2021
3.0L turbo inline-six, 355 hp B58 engine page Edmunds

355 hp and 369 lb-ft · 2018–2019
3.0L turbo inline-six, 382 hp B58 engine page Edmunds

382 hp, with a 48-volt mild hybrid system from 2022 · 2020–2024

Transmissions

Eight-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference

Drivetrains

xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds
Rear-wheel drive (2019–2024) Edmunds, a published reference

Trims

Sports Activity Vehicle A published reference

Packages

Figures

Built: At Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Rosslyn, South Africa, from August 2017 to August 2024 A published reference, a seller's guide (unofficial)
Platform: BMW's CLAR platform A published reference, a seller's guide (unofficial)
Plug-in hybrid: The xDrive30e shares its powertrain with the 330e xDrive, with a 12 kWh battery A published reference
Safety: Five stars from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, by Wikipedia's account A published reference

Years and what changed

2018
The redesigned X3 arrives as the xDrive30i and M40i. Edmunds
2019
The rear-wheel-drive sDrive30i joins the range. Edmunds, a published reference
2020
The xDrive30e plug-in hybrid arrives, and the M40i rises to 382 hp. Edmunds
2021
No change recorded
2022
Refresh
A facelift brings new front and rear styling and a larger optional screen, the M40i gets a 48-volt mild hybrid system, and the xDrive30e is dropped. Edmunds, a published reference
2023
No change recorded
2024
No significant changes. Edmunds

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

Valve cover and oil filter housing leaks All years

Check: Look for oil along the top of the engine and around the oil filter housing.

Euro Premium Parts calls valve cover leaks the most common issue on both engines, usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, and says a leaking B58 filter housing can drip onto the exhaust. CarGurus also names oil leaks. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)
Cracked coolant expansion tank All years

Check: Look for hairline cracks in the plastic coolant reservoir.

Euro Premium Parts says it commonly leaks on four-cylinder cars between 70,000 and 100,000 miles. CarGurus names cooling system issues. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)
Cracked charge pipe All years

One source so far

Check: Feel for a sudden loss of power and listen for a whoosh under boost.

Euro Premium Parts says the M40i's plastic charge pipe can crack between 40,000 and 70,000 miles. A seller's guide (unofficial)
Hybrid battery recalls and wear 2020–2021

Check: Make sure the hybrid battery recalls were done, and have the battery's health checked.

NHTSA lists recalls for debris and loose weld beads in the battery cells. Euro Premium Parts says electric range can drop after 60,000 to 80,000 miles. NHTSA, a seller's guide (unofficial)
2020 swivel bearing and steering rack recalls

One source so far

Check: On a 2020 car, make sure the front swivel bearing recall, and on an M40i the steering rack recall, were done.

NHTSA lists front axle swivel bearings that could break, with owners told not to drive, and M40i steering racks whose teeth could break. NHTSA

Going to see one? Take the checklist with you.

Open the checklist

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

2024–2026 Recall 26V524000
The steering spindle may have been attached to the steering column wrongly. Dealers inspect the connection and replace hardware, or the spindle and column, as needed. NHTSA
2021–2023 Recall 26V056000
Wear inside the engine starter can make it overheat and catch fire. Dealers replace the starter. NHTSA
2020–2022 Recall 25V636000
The engine starter's relay can corrode, overheat and short circuit. Owners are told to park outside and away from buildings until a dealer replaces the starter. NHTSA
2022–2024 Recall 25V106000
The rear door locking modules may let the doors be unlocked with one motion, so the car does not meet the federal door lock standard. Dealers replace the modules. NHTSA
2018–2022 Recall 24V764000
The mounting for the rear cargo rail can be damaged in a rear crash, letting the rail come loose. Dealers replace the mounting bolts. NHTSA

Show all 31 recalls

2018–2023 Recall 24V534000
The mounting for the interior cargo rail can be damaged in a rear crash, letting the rail come loose. Dealers replace the mounting bolts. NHTSA
2023 Recall 23V821000
A badly made weld on the gearbox control unit's cover can let transmission oil leak into the control unit. Dealers replace the mechatronics module and the fluid as needed. NHTSA
2024 Recall 23V770000
The steering gear may not have been tightened properly and can loosen. Dealers replace the steering gear. NHTSA
2020–2021 Recall 23V211000
The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails. Dealers replace the seat frame and backrest. NHTSA
2022 Recall 22V513000
The high-pressure fuel rail can crack and leak fuel in the engine bay. Dealers replace it. NHTSA
2022 Recall 22V070000
The gearbox's mechatronics unit may have been assembled badly and leak inside. Dealers replace it. NHTSA
2020 Recall 21V598000
At start-up the engine software can cause a loss of brake assist, though the brakes still work without it. Dealers update the software. NHTSA
2018–2019 Recall 21V521000
The front passenger seat's occupant classification system may have been assembled badly and read the seat as empty, switching off the airbag. Dealers replace the seat foam with the system. NHTSA
2021 Recall 21V199000
The weld on the fuel tank's inlet check valve can fail and let the filler pipe come away from the tank. Dealers replace the tank. NHTSA
2019–2021 Recall 21V096000
Part of the reversing camera's picture may be blocked, or the screen may stay dark, when reverse is selected. Dealers update the camera software. NHTSA
2020–2021 Recall 20V598000
A small part of the reversing camera's picture may be obscured. Dealers inspect the camera and update its software. NHTSA
2020–2021 Recall 20V601000
Debris may have got into the hybrid battery cells when they were made. Drivers are told not to charge the car until dealers inspect the battery and replace modules if needed. NHTSA
2020–2021 Recall 20V490000
Loose weld beads can bridge the hybrid battery's cells and short circuit them. Dealers inspect the battery modules and replace them if needed. NHTSA
2020 Recall 20V443000
The rearview camera software was not installed at the factory, so no picture shows in reverse. Dealers install it. NHTSA
2020 Recall 20V164000
The sensors in the front seat belt buckles may read a belted occupant as unbelted, which can affect the airbags and belt tensioners. Dealers inspect and replace the buckles as needed. NHTSA
2018–2020 Recall 20V152000
The instrument panel casing may not have been fastened properly to the passenger airbag. Dealers replace the casing. NHTSA
2020 Recall 19V738000
The steering rack's pinion teeth can break under load, losing steering control. Dealers replace the steering gear. NHTSA
2018–2020 Recall 19V684000
The reversing camera's settings can be changed so its picture is no longer visible, and the car keeps that setting. Dealers update the camera software. NHTSA
2020 Recall 19V678000
The front axle swivel bearings may not have been heat treated properly and could break. Owners are told not to drive until dealers replace them. NHTSA
2018–2019 Recall 19V563000
The front seatback frames may have been welded badly, so a seatback could fold forward or back unexpectedly. Dealers replace the front seats. NHTSA
2019 Recall 19V291000
The instrument panel may have been made badly, which could affect how the passenger's front airbag deploys. Dealers replace the instrument panel. NHTSA
2018–2019 Recall 18V453000
The rear brake caliper pistons may not be coated enough, which could reduce rear braking. Dealers bleed the rear brake circuit. NHTSA
2018 Recall 18V431000
The outer rear turn signals light red while the inner ones light amber, so the car does not meet the federal lighting standard. Dealers inspect and replace the lamps as needed. NHTSA
2018–2019 Recall 18V374000
The steering wheel may not detect when the driver's hands are off it. Dealers inspect the wheel and replace it if needed. NHTSA
2018 Recall 18V154000
The rear spoiler may not have been attached properly or may be missing screws, and could come off while driving. Dealers inspect it and fix its attachment. NHTSA
2018 Recall 17V719000
An error in the instrument panel software can stop the display lighting properly. Dealers update the software. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

Sought after

The M40i All years

One source so far

Euro Premium Parts calls the M40i's B58 six the best balance of performance, refinement and long-term reliability, and names the 2022 facelift and a well-kept 2019 or 2020 M40i as the safest choices. A seller's guide (unofficial)
Watch for

A high-mileage xDrive30e without hybrid service records 2020–2021

Less sought after One source so far

Euro Premium Parts advises checking battery health on any used xDrive30e and avoiding high-mileage cars without documented hybrid system service. A seller's guide (unofficial)

Maintenance

Engine oil and filter All years

Replace every 7,500 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says most technicians advise every 7,500 to 10,000 miles rather than waiting for the car's reminder A seller's guide (unofficial)

Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.
Differential and transfer case fluid All years

Replace every 40,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 40,000 to 50,000 miles, especially on the M40i A seller's guide (unofficial)
Coolant All years

Replace every 60,000 miles or 4 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)
Spark plugs All years

Replace every 40,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 40,000 to 60,000 miles on the four-cylinder A seller's guide (unofficial)
Spark plugs All years

Replace every 60,000 miles, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)
Brake fluid All years

Replace every 2 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

Warranty when new

Basic	50,000 miles or 4 years Edmunds
Drivetrain	50,000 miles or 4 years Edmunds
Rust	12 years EdmundsAny miles
Roadside assistance	4 years EdmundsAny miles
Free scheduled maintenance	36,000 miles or 3 years Edmunds

Before you pay: every warning, recall and check on one sheet.

Open the checklist

G01 BMW X3 2018–2024 G01

Overview

The story

Colors

Interiors

Specs

Badges

Engines

Transmissions

Drivetrains

Trims

Packages

Figures

Years and what changed

Watch out

Valve cover and oil filter housing leaks All years

Cracked coolant expansion tank All years

Cracked charge pipe All years

Hybrid battery recalls and wear 2020–2021

2020 swivel bearing and steering rack recalls

Recalls

Owning

What owners and buyers say

The M40i All years

A high-mileage xDrive30e without hybrid service records 2020–2021

Maintenance

Engine oil and filter All years

Differential and transfer case fluid All years

Coolant All years

Spark plugs All years

Spark plugs All years

Brake fluid All years

Warranty when new