2017 Bmw X3: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
92 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
20,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 37 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 92 complaints (32.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 23 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 17 | 18.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 12.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 30 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 22 |
| Engine | 17 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
Electrical System: 30; Engine And Engine Cooling: 22; Engine: 17; Fuel/Propulsion System: 13; Service Brakes: 11; Unknown Or Other: 9; Air Bags: 7; Structure:Body: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 22 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 22; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 55 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 30 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2016: 2; 2017: 11; 2018: 4; 2019: 7; 2020: 5; 2021: 3; 2022: 5; 2023: 8; 2024: 16; 2025: 30; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 23 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10916680 · 2016-10-17 (October 17, 2016)
I CHECKED ONLINE FROM NHTSA THAT MY CAR HAS A RECALL WHICH IS IN INCOMPLETE STATUS, WHILE I CALLED BMW THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO SUCH RECORD FOR A RECALL FOR MY CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10916680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10934409 · 2016-12-10 (December 10, 2016)
DURING MY NORMAL CITY DRIVING ROUTE THE BRAKES STARTED MAKING AN AWFUL SCREECHING NOISE. I PULLED OVER WITHIN 1 CITY BLOCK OF HEARING THE NOISE AND MY REAR DISC BRAKE ROTOR HAD A LARGE GROOVE WORN INTO IT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS A ROCK THAT GOT STUCK BETWEEN THE PAD AND THE ROTOR AND THEY WOULD REPAIR THE CAR FOR FREE, WHICH INCLUDED ORDERING PARTS. I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP & THE CLERK THAT ANSWERED THE PHONE SAID THAT THIS HAPPENS OFTEN, SO THEY JUST REPAIR IT FOR FREE. I ASKED IF IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE DESI…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10934409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10943771 · 2017-01-09 (January 9, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2017 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEED, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO EXPERIENCE EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FROM THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR TIRE WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE EVEN AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWA…
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10943771 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10948114 · 2017-01-28 (January 28, 2017)
I WAS STOPPING MY CAR AT A RED SIGNAL BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. I APPLIED BREAKS AND VEHICLE REACHED TO COMPLETE STOP. IMMEDIATELY, ENGINE PICKED UP AND STARTED MOVING FORWARD EVEN THOUGH BREAKS ARE COMPLETELY PRESSED. I HAD TO DO SOMETHING TO STOP THE CAR REAR ENDING. SO, I RELEASED AND RE-APPLIED BREAKS. VEHICLE REACHED COMPLETE STOP AND AGAIN STARTED ACCELERATING FORWARD. I REPEATED THE PROCESS BUT THE THIRD TIME IT HIT THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH : AUTO START/STOP ENGINE (WHICH STOPS THE ENGINE WHEN THE CAR IS AT COMP…
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10948114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10960237 · 2017-03-12 (March 12, 2017)
AFTER THE MAY 2016 DELIVERY OF OUR X3, I REPORTED A SOFTWARE DEFECT, FAILURE TO DISPLAY CORRECT DAY/TIME. THE DEFECT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPLICATED AND DOCUMENTED BY THE BMW SERVICE DEPT. WE HAVE YET TO RECEIVE FORMAL TECHNICAL VERIFICATION THAT THIS SOFTWARE DEFECT WILL NOT NEGATIVELY AFFECT VEHICLE SAFETY OR OPERATION. MY NUMEROUS INQUIRIES OVER THE LAST TEN [10] MONTHS WITH BMW'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AND EXECUTIVE CUSTOMER CARE, WESTWOOD, NJ HAVE ONLY RESULTED IN CONTINUED MISDIRECTION AND STONEWALLING. AFTER TAKING OWNERSHIP…
Owner-reported narrative. 3 miles reported. Look up ODI 10960237 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11000162 · 2017-06-20 (June 20, 2017)
THE REAR VIEW CAMERA FAILS TO ENGAGE OFTEN WHEN BACKING UP. IT IS ALWAYS SLOW TO TURN ON, HOWEVER THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT WOULD NOT TURN ON AT ALL. MORE CONCERNING IS THAT THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT IT AND DISMISSED IT SAYING THAT THE SYSTEM GETS AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGED WHEN THE CAMERA IS DIRTY AND THAT HE KNOWS "BECAUSE HE HEARS THIS COMPLAINT ALL THE TIME"
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 11000162 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11004269 · 2017-07-11 (July 11, 2017)
THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS AT CENTER. THE VEHICLE WILL DRIFT EITHER TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT, BUT IT WILL NOT GO STRAIGHT WITHOUT CONSTANT CORRECTIONS. IN SHORT, THE STEERING SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE A CENTER. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER'S CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THE ISSUE. THEY UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO REPAIR IT WITH WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND EPS RECALIBRATION. THEN THEY SAID THAT THEY TEST DROVE A SIMILAR VEHICLE AND IT EXHIBITS THE SAME STEERING ISSUE AND THUS THEY CALLED IT "A NORMA…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11004269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11006636 · 2017-07-20 (July 20, 2017)
ENGINE SEIZED AT 65MPH HIGHWAY SPEEDS DURING COMMUTE TO WORK ON BUSY BOSTON HIGHWAY. NARROWLY AVOIDED SEVERAL COLLISIONS AS VEHICLE COASTED TO STOP. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM A BMW DEALER THREE WEEKS AGO AND HAS LESS THAN 2,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER ADVISES AN "OVERSIZED BEARING WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT AND SEIZE". ENGINE REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. TRANSMISSION, TRANSFER CASE, ELECTRONICS AND COOLING SYSTEM DAMAGE ARE SUSPECTED BY THE DEALER TECH AND WILL REQUIRE MONITORING.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11006636 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V333000 · Child Seat:Latch Strap
Reported: 2016-05-23 (May 23, 2016)
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.
Consequence: Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V704000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System
Reported: 2016-10-03 (October 3, 2016)
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.
Consequence: An increase in pin contact resistance can increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V755000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
Reported: 2018-10-25 (October 25, 2018)
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.
Consequence: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V586000 · Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2021-07-29 (July 29, 2021)
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.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V907000 · Fuel System, Diesel
Reported: 2021-11-19 (November 19, 2021)
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.
Consequence: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V608000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Pump
Reported: 2024-08-13 (August 13, 2024)
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.
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗