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Service bulletins for the 2016 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.

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

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By component

Bulletins, newest first
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.
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).
B1601162018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT. Location of Anti-Tampering Screws for SCR Components. Refer to the attachment for proper location of the screws. PDF attachment B160116_Location_of_anti-tamper_cover.
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.
B6214152018-12-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Instrument Cluster Multifunction Display Intermittently Blank . Some information displays in the Instrument Cluster (KOMBI) may intermittently go blank. This may include the tachometer and speedometer displays. There is a software error in the KOMBI.
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.
B6101162018-12-10. Service bulletin. STEERING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY/WIPER. The Windshield Wipers Come On Erroneously. The windshield wipers come on by themselves without activating the switch. This can happen at vehicle start or while driving. Communication error between the SZL (Steering Column Switch Center) and the JBBF (Junction Box Co Driver).
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.
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.
B8406162018-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ?BMW ONLINE NON-FUNCTIONAL: CHECK ICC-ID IN ACCOUNT. BMW Online/BMW ConnectedDrive not functional. Vehicle and service cockpit have different ICC-ID's (Integrated Circuit Card Identifier).
B8402142018-12-03. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ?CONNECTEDDRIVE/BMW ASSIST SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION. ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist features are partially or completely inoperative. This Service Information bulletin is being published because vehicles are down for an extended period of time when researching system failures with ConnectedDrive or BMW Assist. This Service Information bulletin will assist you both in identifying the issue and providing technical support. CAUSE Not enough information is available for BMW NA engineers to assist the technician in diagnosing the root cause.
B6130172018-11-26. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. RAIN/LIGHT SENSOR (RLS): OIL LEAKAGE FROM GEL PAD. ??Oil leaking from the Rain/Light Sensor (RLS). Note: This oil serves as a separation medium between the RLS mounting gel pad and the windscreen. The oil ensures damage free disassembly in case of repair. CAUSE The oil that serves as the separation medium of the Rain/Light Sensor (RLS) gel pad and the windscreen leaks out. Expose the Rain/Light Sensor (RLS) and properly clean the area of all oily residue. Note: The separating oil usually leaks only once from the pad at the RLS. Due to the small oil quantity in the gel pad, additional oil leakage is not plausible. Leaking oil does not impair the function of the RLS.
B5408182018-11-26. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY. SUNROOF REPAIR KIT COMPONENTS. Based on feedback from technicians, it can be difficult to identify the individual components included with sunroof repair kits. In some cases complete sunroofs are replaced, when a sunroof repair kit could have been used. This bulletin covers the contents of the sunroof repair kits in order to help you identify the correct repair for the vehicle you are working on.
B6216162018-11-26. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. WARRANTY INFORMATION Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks or the BMW Certified Pre-Owned Program. If you are using a Main labor code for another repair, use the Plus code labor operation 00 00 556 instead. Refer to KSD2 for the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowances. Work time labor operation code 61 00 006 is not considered a Main labor operation; however, it does require an individual punch time and an explanation on the repair order and in the claim comments Vehicle Programming and Coding When ISTA/P automatically reprograms and codes all the vehicle's control modules that currently do not have the latest software, and if control module failures occur during this programming procedure: ? Please claim this consequential control module-related repair work under the defect code listed in this bulletin with the applicable KSD2/AIR labor operations. Other Repairs Control module failures that occurred prior to this programming procedure and/or additional work is performed as a result of performing the ISTA diagnostics and related test plans: ? When covered under an applicable limited warranty, claim the control module-related and/or other repair work using the applicable defect code and labor operations in KSD2/AIR.
B4103162018-11-26. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR. EDGE CORROSION IN THE INNER DOOR JAMB AREA. Corrosion on inner door panels at the following holes and cavity openings: ? Door brake (1). ? Door wiring harness pass-thru (2).
B1601172018-11-26. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. "VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN 17E-A02 - REPLACE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL FILTER AND NVLD SENSOR HOLDER This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B16 01 17 dated March 2017 What's New: ? Bulletin type was changed from a Service Action to an Emissions Recall. The activated charcoal canister and or NVLD sensor holder may be damaged. AFFECTED VEHICLES This Emissions Recall Campaign affects F25 and F26 vehicles produced from February 2017 to March 2017 First check if a Recall Completion Label, SD 92-435 for this campaign is already attached to the underside of the hood on the right (passenger) rear close to the windshield. If the label is present, the Campaign has already been performed and no further action is necessary. Affected vehicles which require this Recall Campaign to be completed will show it as ""Open"" when checked either in AIR, the ""Service Menu"" of DCSnet (Dealer Communication System) or with the Key Reader. LABEL INSTRUCTIONS For California centers only: It is required by the California Code of Regulations that an executed orange ""Vehicle Emission Recall - Proof of Correction"" certificate (SD92-084, see illustration) be provided to each customer (for vehicles registered in the state of California), once the Recall on his or her vehicle has been completed. The activated charcoal canister and NVLD sensor holder are damaged Transportation damage."

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