2017 BMW X3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other X3 years
- About as many complaints as other years 11th of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 92 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 BMW X3. That ranks 11th out of 23 X3 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (30 complaints, 33%), typically at around 86,500 miles. Complaints mention 10 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 92owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 10complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2017 BMW X3 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 30 | 33% | 86,500 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 22 | 24% | 88,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 17 | 18% | 6,750 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 13 | 14% | 20,441 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 12% | 10,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 9 | 10% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 7 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 6 | 7% | 24,861 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 4 | 4% | 61,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 3% | 6,500 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 2% | 302 | — | — |
| Power Train | 2 | 2% | 50,900 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 2% | 160 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 2% | 24,143 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | 14,800 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | 1,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1% | 133,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2017 BMW X3 recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles; engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pump
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Fuel system, diesel
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.
Risk: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on January 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.
Risk: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Steering:electric power assist system
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling one model year 2017 BMW X3 xDrive 28i vehicle manufactured on June 7, 2016. This vehicle has electronic power steering (EPS), and the contact pins on the EPS control unit may not have been welded properly resulting in increased resistance.
Risk: An increase in pin contact resistance can increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.
Fix: The vehicle was repaired at the dealership before sale. Therefore, an owner notification notice will not be issued for this campaign. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Child seat:latch strap
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
Risk: Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- High pressure fuel pump failure (EA23001) — opened Mar 17, 2023, still open, led to recall 24V957.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
I have tried to set up an appointment with my local dealer for a recall notice several times, but they never have the part needed. One time they said they had the part and after dropping the car off my wife returned to find out they still did not have the part The date below is approximate
Seat mat sensor module which detects presence of passenger in the seat has malfunctioned sooner than expected.
Unknown
See attached document for complaint. It is coming to almost a year that this problem still exists. After multiple attempts to have this rectified still un settled. I tried to make a claim on your website but for some reason the site is not taking my VIN# XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, NJ Plate Tag XXXXXX
I have an open recall on my vehicle that has not yet been repaired, and Iâve reached out to BMW multiple times and still havenât received a letter from them regarding this Recall! If the vehicle can potentially catch fire then why would they think this isnât a priority due to safety…
Other BMW X3 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 X3 | 19 | 2 |
| 2025 X3 | 38 | 9 |
| 2024 X3 | 42 | 3 |
| 2023 X3 | 15 | 4 |
| 2022 X3 | 83 | 7 |
| 2021 X3 | 112 | 10 |
| 2020 X3 | 110 | 16 |
| 2019 X3 | 170 | 10 |
| 2018 X3 | 76 | 11 |
| 2017 | 92 | 6 |
| 2016 X3 | 82 | 5 |
| 2015 X3 | 105 | 7 |
| 2014 X3 | 86 | 6 |
| 2013 X3 | 226 | 7 |
| 2012 X3 | 42 | 2 |
| 2011 X3 | 113 | 4 |
| 2010 X3 | 32 | 4 |
| 2009 X3 | 19 | 3 |
| 2008 X3 | 66 | 3 |
| 2007 X3 | 98 | 3 |
| 2006 X3 | 143 | 2 |
| 2005 X3 | 103 | 1 |
| 2004 X3 | 138 | 1 |
See all BMW X3 problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2017 BMW X3?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine and engine cooling, engine problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 30 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2017 BMW X3?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2017 BMW X3 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other X3 model years, the 2017 has about as many complaints as a typical year, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.