The contact owns a 2006 BMW X3. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 08V384000 (air bags). Also, the dealer stated that the pillar accelerator sensor was defective. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 64,000. In addition, the contact stated that immediately after refueling, the "check gas cap" warning indicator light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer, who determined that the gas cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 64,000. Updated 6/8/15

- Haskell, NJ, USA

Every time I fill up my car, the check gas cap light comes on. As I drive, it goes off but then will illuminate again. I check it and nothing appears to be wrong but as I drive, I do notice that the gas needle will move up and down.

- Richmond, VA, USA

The intake boot between the mass air sensor and the throttle body cracks over time. This causes the check engine light to come on. Even though this is a known failure item, and the car is within the cpo warranty period, BMW does not cover any hoses or tubes, as they believe they are "wear" items. Since it is not covered its a $175 dollar diagnostic fee and $38.54 for the part vs $50 deductible. You do not know if your repair is covered until the diagnostic, so short of having to take it to another mechanic to have it checked you could be penalized $125 for wanting you car repaired under the extended warranty which you paid extra for.

- Lomita, CA, USA

I started my 06 BMW X3 in my driveway to warm it up prior to driving. It appeared to be fine, I backed out of my driveway and noticed it was smoking from the exhaust. I drove about 100ft to the end of my street and the smoking worsened so I decided to return home. I turned onto the main street and drove at most 20mph for a few blocks to get back home. The smoke was pouring out of the exhaust so badly that I couldn't see out my back window. It was blue/grey colored. The car was putting and chugging. I did not make it home. Eventually the car chugged a few times and completely shut down. The warning lights all lit up and I lost all power, including power steering. It was stranded across a driveway and would not start. I have followed all recommended maintenance, drive locally and use premium gas. There was no reasonable explanation to this failure. I had it towed to a local BMW repair shop and found that it was the "oil separator" that failed. My invoice states that it was an "engine hydraulic lock". the failure of the "oil separator", which is called a cyclone separator on my invoice, caused the car to flood with oil. The cyclone separator and crankcase vent hoses were replaced. Researching online I found that this is a common issue with BMW, mostly the X5 models. BMW N.a. refused to assist me, my warranty expired 3 months prior due to the year of the car, but had not met the mileage requirement. The repair cost $1100 and I was without a vehicle for 3 days. I also had to pay $70 for a tow as BMW would not honor the road assistance.

- Portland, ME, USA