2017 BMW X3

● Typical for this model

2017 BMW X3
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:47:06.203Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2017: 92 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2004	138
2005	103
2006	143
2007	98
2008	66
2009	18
2010	32
2011	111
2012	42
2013	226
2014	84
2015	105
2016	81
2017	92
2018	72
2019	164
2020	106
2021	100
2022	65
2023	10
2024	32
2025	34
2026	14

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33%

33% of complaints: electrical system — 30 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

NHTSA ODI report, 20250129

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 24%

24% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 22 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE 18%

18% of complaints: engine — 17 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

I LEASED A 2017 BMW X3 WITH 3370 MILES ON IT SO ALMOST BRAND NEW. I HAVE A 7.6 MILE COMMUTE FROM WORK TO HOME. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AROUND 230PM PST SOUTH ON THE 405 (HIGHWAY) IN LOS ANGELES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181031

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20170128

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

NHTSA ODI report, 20250129

I LEASED A 2017 BMW X3 WITH 3370 MILES ON IT SO ALMOST BRAND NEW. I HAVE A 7.6 MILE COMMUTE FROM WORK TO HOME. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AROUND 230PM PST SOUTH ON THE 405 (HIGHWAY) IN LOS ANGELES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181031

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

While driving on the freeway my brakes failed. I had pushed the pedal all the way down and the vehicle was still moving. This caused a rear end collision. There were no warnings that appeared.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231028

CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP FORWARD. BY PUTTING CAR IN NEUTRAL AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE ON A GRADE, WHEN I HAD COMPLETED, I NOTICED THE THE RPM GAGE WAS AT 4000 RPM WITH BRAKE ON. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180410

NHTSA ODI report, 20170128

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20160713 — child seat

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,...

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.

Campaign 16V333000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161011 — steering

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling one model year 2017 BMW X3 xDrive 28i vehicle manufactured on June 7, 2016.

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.

Campaign 16V704000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190513 — engine and engine cooling

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...

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.

Campaign 18V755000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20220114 — fuel system, diesel

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.

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.

Campaign 21V586000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220706 — fuel system, diesel

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...

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.

Campaign 21V907000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20230317 — EA (open)

High pressure fuel pump failure

R 20250328 — electrical system, engine and engine cooling

BMW of North America, LLC.

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.

Campaign 24V608000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2017 BMW X3 — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for electrical system issues (30 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (22 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine issues (17 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 16V333000 (child seat) has been completed.
Verify recall 16V704000 (steering) has been completed.
Verify recall 18V755000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Verify recall 21V586000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
Verify recall 21V907000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
Verify recall 24V608000 (electrical system, engine and engine cooling) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ◆ 2019 ◆ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2017 BMW X3 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2017 BMW X3 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2017 BMW X3?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2017 BMW X3 have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.