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Service bulletins for the 2011 BMW X3

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

360 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Bulletins, newest first
B6608162018-12-10. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE; STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR. Comfort Access Sporadically Malfunctions. Any or all doors, including rear tailgate, cannot be opened from the outside door handle via CA (Comfort Access). Faults in CA for aerial short(s). Faults for door handle(s). Rapid opening and close (system overheating). No faults in the system and malfunction is sporadic or in a certain area; the situation is caused by interference to the signal.
B1209162018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR. N20 - The Service Engine Soon Light is On with DME Fault 118602 Stored. The Service Engine Soon light is on (MIL) with only the following oxygen sensor fault stored. 118602 - Oxygen sensor before catalytic converter, fine mixture control: exhaust gas after catalytic converter too lean CAUSE An actual engine related problem and/or DME software diagnostic
B1116152018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. N20 and N26 engine: Smoke from Exhaust when Starting a Cold Engine. When starting a cold engine, blue smoke can be seen emitting from the exhaust tailpipe for approximately 10-20 seconds. No turbo charger boost faults are stored and no drivability issues can be detected. CAUSE When the vehicle is parked overnight the engine oil pressure will equalize and may leak past the turbo charger exhaust side turbine seal.
B1106162018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. N51, N52, N52K and N52T Engines: Various Eccentric Shaft Sensor Faults stored in the DME - Diagnostic Hints. The customer may complain about one of the following: Rough engine running Engine cannot be started (crank no start) Check Engine Light illuminated One or more of the following faults may be stored in the DME: 2A37 - Valvetronic, eccentric shaft sensor plausibility 2A47 - Valvetronic, eccentric shaft, signal plausibility 134E08 - Eccentric shaft plausibility (on F10, F25 vehicles only) CAUSE The VVT eccentric shaft sensor connector, and/or DME connector may have oil contamination due to oil leakage at the VVT sensor gasket.
B6513162018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "NBT-EVO Head Unit Cannot Be Swapped Between Vehicles for Testing. If an NBT-EVO head unit is swapped into a different vehicle it will enter a locked mode once it recognizes a different VIN. This will require REPLACEMENT of the head unit to restore operation. To prevent easy re-use of stolen Head units additional features are introduced with 11/15 ISTA/P software to bring NBT-EVO to a higher security level. In NBT-EVO the mechanism is called ""Trusted VIN"""
B6507162018-12-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. NBT and Entry Head Unit Software Update for Improved Satellite Radio Reception. Poor Satellite Radio reception CAUSE After this software update there is a slight improvement in Satellite Radio reception for these vehicles when receiving their signal from XM Satellites. This is due to the changeover from Sirius Satellite broadcasting to XM Satellite broadcasting in 2016 (See SI B65 19 15).
B6506162018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NBT Head Unit Aborts Import of CD. While importing a CD to the internal music collection of an NBT head unit the process aborts. You will see 'import error' on the radio display when this occurs. NBT Head Unit software
B6403162018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. "Air Conditioning Refrigerant R1234yf Introduction. Highlights of R-1234yf Meets SAE J2888_201301 ""This SAE Standard covers fittings, couplers, and hoses intended for connecting service hoses from mobile air- conditioning Systems to service equipment such as charging, recovery and recycling equipment"" New tools and equipment are required. To service vehicles equipped with R-1234yf refer to SI B04 02 16. Air conditioning technician certification is required to work on system. Refer to your State Law. Unique low and high side fittings. Revised evaporator core as per SAE J2842. System will use about 5% more refrigerant than a comparable R134a system. System oil is a specific PAG oil. Refer to ISTA repair recommendation. Do not interchange components between systems using other refrigerants. Do not reuse Seals / O-ring material from another system. The system piping has internal heat exchangers (IHX or IWT) as introduced in the G12 (7 series). SAFETY INFORMATION Several precautions need to be observed when working on automotive air conditioning systems: Always wear eye protection and gloves while handling refrigerant or servicing air conditioning system. Avoid breathing R1234yf lubricant vapor or mist. Use only approved service equipment to discharge A/C systems. If refrigerant or compressor oil contacts the skin or eyes, large quantities of cool water should be used to flush the affected area. Never heat a refrigerant container with an open flame. Keep all refrigerant away from open flames. Under no circumstances should R1234yf service equipment or vehicle A/C systems be pressure tested or leak tested with air/R1234yf mixtures. NOTE: The use of compressed air (shop air) for leak detection in an R1234yf system can contaminate the system and/or refrigerant with moisture. Leak detection equipment that meets the SAE J2791 standard will work with R1234yf Never use fittings for an R12 or R134a system on an R1234yf system. Any difficulty in connecting service equipm
B6121152018-12-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. The Instrument Cluster Displays Various Check Control Messages. The instrument cluster displays various check control messages. Signal invalid. The wiring harness below the micro filter housing (right front area of the bulkhead) is damaged from washer fluid leaking into the harness.
B8403142018-12-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. SI B84 03 14 February 2016 Communication Systems Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B84 03 14 dated October 2014. SUBJECT Bluetooth Connection Failures. There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. Connectivity failure examples are: Call disconnection - Call is transferred back to the handset. In some instances the call is then transferred back to the vehicle. Contact List incomplete General connection failures CAUSE Apple iOS software (issue started with iOS 8.3 continues with iOS 9.x and its variants) Samsung S6 and S6 Edge device firmware CORRECTOPM None available at this time. We are currently working with the device manufacturer on a solution.
B6601162018-12-10. Service bulletin. BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. SUBJECT TRSVC Control Unit Cannot Be Programmed. During ISTA/P session, ISTA/P requests that the TRSVC (Top Rear Side View Camera) control unit be replaced because ISTA/P cannot program it. Software error in the TRSVC control unit
B6502162018-12-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. SUBJECT Audio System Speaker Testing. For audio system speaker testing there is a NED (Non Electrical Diagnosis) Test Plan available. CAUSE We previously recommended use of the Audio Test CD (ATC) from BMW. This CD has been discontinued.
B6103142018-12-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. February 2016 General Electrical Systems Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B61 03 14 dated May 2015. SUBJECT Check Control Messages Related to Battery Charge during Cold Ambient Temperatures. On cold days (an outside ambient temperature below 15F), customers may notice a check control message related to the battery displayed on the instrument cluster and the control information display. The check control message (ID 229) is caused by a heavily discharged battery. The check control message is triggered when the current state of charge (SoC) of the battery approaches the minimum SoC that is required to start the vehicle (start capability limit).
B1303152018-12-10. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; EQUIPMENT. SI B13 03 15 February 2016 Fuel Systems Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B13 03 15 dated March 2015 and replaces SI B13 04 13 dated March 2014. SUBJECT N20, N26, N55, N63TU, S63TU and S55 Engines: Bosch Injector ETK Part Number Error. The current version of the ETK incorporates multiple part number errors for the Bosch type injectors. Ordering the injectors by VIN number or manual identification in ETK may result in an incorrect part number.
B1233142018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN. This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 12 33 14 dated December 2015. SUBJECT Fault Code 1D2008 Stored in DME. The Service Engine Soon light is on. Fault Code 1D2008: Map thermostat: jammed open is stored in the DME. There may also be a complaint of low heat output with lower outside temperatures. CAUSE During the engine warm-up, the engine coolant does not reach operating temperature within the DME's allowable time limits. This is caused by either a faulty thermostat inside the transmission oil heat exchanger or a faulty engine characteristic map thermostat.
B1116152018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER. February 2016 Engine Technical Service This Service Information Bulletin supersedes SI B11 16 15 dated September 2015 SUBJECT N20 and N26 engine: Smoke from Exhaust when Starting a Cold Engine. When starting a cold engine, blue smoke can be seen emitting from the exhaust tailpipe for approximately 10-20 seconds. No turbo charger boost faults are stored and no drivability issues can be detected. CAUSE When the vehicle is parked overnight the engine oil pressure will equalize and may leak past the turbo charger exhaust side turbine seal.
B6507092018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. Whistling Noise Coming from the Center Vent - A/C is Off . A very high pitched whistling or beeping noise is heard coming from the center vents. The flow of refrigerant through the expansion valve at certain temperature differentials.
B6203162018-12-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ?Clock gains or loses time. The time displayed in the KOMBI (instrument cluster) may gain or lose a few minutes each week. Internal KOMBI calculation error.
B6121152018-12-10. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER; ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING. The Instrument Cluster Displays Various Check Control Messages. This includes messages for the PDC (Park Distance Control), DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and windshield washer system. There can be many different fault codes stored in the vehice. Signal invalid. The wiring harness below the micro filter housing (right front area of the bulkhead) is damaged from washer fluid leaking into the harness.
B6216162018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT. ?VERTICAL LINES IN HEAD-UP DISPLAY. Run diagnostics and if display is found to be damaged, replace Head-Up display.
B1615142018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. SI B16 15 14 January 2016 Fuel Supply Systems Technical Service.This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B16 15 14 dated December 2014, designates changes to this revision. SUBJECT NVLD Tank Leakage FC 190302 Fuel Tank Ventilation and Purge Air System Micro Leak . The engine malfunction warning is illuminated and the following fault code is stored in the DME memory: FC 190302 Fuel tank ventilation and purge air system micro leak leakage greater than 0_5 mm. CAUSE: Contamination of the NVLD pressure switch diaphragm and/or the contamination of the NVLD dust filter.
B6121152018-12-10. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAYS VARIOUS CHECK CONTROL MESSAGES. The instrument cluster displays various check control messages. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAYS VARIOUS CHECK CONTROL MESSAGES. The instrument cluster displays various check control messages. This includes messages for the PDC (Park Distance Control), DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and windshield washer system. There can be many different fault codes stored in the vehicle. The wiring harness below the micro filter housing (right front area of the bulkhead) is damaged from washer fluid leaking into the harness.
6522122018-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Service Action: CIC - Install Navigation Road Map Database 2013. The Car Information Computer (CIC) road map database 2013 must be installed onto the CIC internal Hard Disc Drive (HDD).
6138122018-12-03. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. "Service Action: Program Control Units (CAS). After programming/coding the vehicle with ISTA/P 2.48.1 or earlier, the Car Access System (CAS) was incorrectly coded. This causes the anti-theft alarm system panic button on the remote control to not function. AFFECTED VEHICLES This Service Action involves F01, F02, F04, F06, F07, F10, F12, F13 and F25 vehicles which were produced August 2010 to June 2012. In order to determine whether a specific vehicle has had this Service Action completed or is affected by this Service Action, first check the B-pillar label for code number 637. If code number 637 has been punched out, the campaign has already been performed. If code number 637 has not been punched out, it will be necessary to utilize the ""Service Menu"" of DCSnet (Dealer Communication System) or the Key Reader. Based on the response of the system, either proceed with the corrective action or take no further action. Important Note: A campaign can be reserved in ISPA Light as ""Pending"" prior to submission of a claim. If you find this campaign reserved, please verify the reason before attempting to perform this repair."
5138122018-12-03. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY. Wind Noise: Helpful Diagnostic Hints. Wind noise may be heard from doors, windows, and mirrors, as well as all A, B and C-pillar support trim and the Panoramic sunroof. CAUSE Poor fitment of the seals and trim in the areas mentioned above

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.