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ProblemsByVin File / 2017-BMW-X3
2017 · bmw

bmw X3 problems

2 safety recalls. 91 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
30 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
electrical
9 reports · avg $850
severe
airbags
7 reports · avg $1,100
severe
brakes
6 reports · avg $450
severe
body
5 reports · avg $1,500
severe
fuel system
3 reports · avg $1,200
moderate
visibility
3 reports · avg $350
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2017 X3 · other
Car has broken down five times, each after having been driven several hours. Car suddenly looses power and dies. Will not restart- requires tow. All repair attempts have been made at BMW dealers. We have been placed in dangerous situations, including once with my six…
12/28/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11445231.0
2017 X3 · engine
The contact owns a 2017 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount…
12/26/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11632497.0
2017 X3 · airbags
Seat mat sensor module which detects presence of passenger in the seat has malfunctioned sooner than expected.
12/21/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11706430.0
2017 X3 · electrical
While driving on the highway I had an error message pop up on the dash that said right brake light electrical malfunction and as soon as the error message popped up I saw a bunch of debris and smoke coming from the back right side of my car and the engine shut off. After sitting…
12/18/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11631414.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 16V333000 23/05/2016

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

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.
severe NHTSA 16V704000 03/10/2016

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

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.

Common questions

Is the 2017 BMW X3 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 BMW X3 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2017 BMW X3?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 30 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my BMW X3 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 BMW X3?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 91 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 14 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with bmw. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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