The Used Car Index

2017 BMW X3 problems

NHTSA lists 92 complaints for the 2017 BMW X3, 10 of them mention a crash and 2 mention a fire. 2 complaints mention an injury, with 5 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as BMW X3.

At a glance

Complaints
92
With crash
10
With fire
2
With injury (complaints)
2
Injuries
5
Deaths
0
Recalls
6
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
720,796
Investigations
2
Open investigations
2
Manufacturer communications
213

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3032.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2223.9%
ENGINE1718.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1314.1%
SERVICE BRAKES1112.0%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER99.8%
AIR BAGS77.6%
STRUCTURE66.5%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL44.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL33.3%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY6
VISIBILITYSUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
TIRESSIDEWALL1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
unclear2426.1%0.87
loss of control2021.7%0.94
mechanical failure1415.2%0.70
electrical electronic1213.0%0.75
fire or overheating88.7%0.79
restraint or airbag55.4%0.98
noise or comfort33.3%0.78
fluid or fuel leak22.2%0.84
structural or corrosion22.2%0.68
visibility or lighting22.2%0.83
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate4751.1%0.80
low2931.5%0.76
high99.8%0.98
none66.5%0.72
critical11.1%0.75

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 92 tagged complaints of 92 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

6 recalls.

24V608000

Date: 2024-08-13. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: 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 t (excerpt)

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V907000

Date: 2021-11-19. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.

Defect: 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 m (excerpt)

Consequence: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire. (excerpt)

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 J (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V586000

Date: 2021-07-29. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.

Defect: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V755000

Date: 2018-10-25. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: 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 (excerpt)

Consequence: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V704000

Date: 2016-10-03. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V333000

Date: 2016-05-23. Systems: CHILD SEAT.

Defect: 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 a (excerpt)

Consequence: Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

2 investigations; 2 open.

EA23001

Opened: 2023-03-17. Closed: Not listed.

High pressure fuel pump failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect alle

Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.

Linked campaign numbers: 24V957.

EA21002

Opened: 2021-09-17. Closed: Not listed.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupt

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

213 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT80
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM65
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING34
ENGINE18
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY16
STRUCTURE16
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE11
VISIBILITY9

11035513

Date: 2026-07-22. Type: Other. Systems: AIR BAGS.

As a reminder, the following Service Actions are temporary campaigns aimed at collecting sample parts from the specified vehicles. B65 05 26 Service Action: Replace PSDI-X Drivera s Air Bag Module (0032850300) B65 06 26 Service Action: Replace PSPI-X Passengera s Air Bag Module (0072940200)

11030320

Date: 2026-03-25. Type: Over The Air. Systems: STRUCTURE.

It has been established that the water drain in the right front end area is inadequate. Water at the right front end may not drain off properly. This can result in various Check Control messages and the failure of various systems (e.g. Park Distance Control (PDC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), wi

11021799

Date: 2025-08-08. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 25 years without mileage limit as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.

11017504

Date: 2025-04-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.

The vehicle applies the brakes on its own when reversing onto an inclined roadway or driveway. This appliesonly to the situation where the Active PDC option is activated via the iDrive.

11012067

Date: 2024-12-11. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

The NVLD limited emission related warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.

10253326

Date: 2024-04-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the top of the B-pillar(s) is heard.

10252031

Date: 2024-03-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.

10252033

Date: 2024-03-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.

During inspection and/or diagnosis there is noticeable dirt/grease buildup on the axles near the inner and/o router CV boots.

10250374

Date: 2024-02-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY.

An interference noise (groaning noise) can be heard from within the heating and air-conditioning unit in thecenter of the instrument panel. The groaning noise always occurs when either a ventilation flap, air stratification flap or the recirculated airflap moves to a different position. Due to the

10249425

Date: 2024-01-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

The Check Control message below appears even though the coolant level is not below minimum when theengine is cold. Check Control message (ID 166): Top up coolant.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
X392

Same model, other years

All model years | All BMW models

Other BMW models, 2017

Sources

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