BestCarRank
Bmw

2017 Bmw X3

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Bmw X3 has 138 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 127. The most common issue is engine problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: 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 br. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 15 crash reports 5 injuries

138

Total Complaints

6

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

39 complaints
28%
  • 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 BR
  • 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
  • THREE INCIDENTS OF UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION OF ENGINE, TWO WHILE PARKING ON CITY STREETS (APRIL 30 AND SEPT 12) AND ONE WHEN STOPPING AT RED LIGHT ON CITY STREET (AUG 1). CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND STARTED REVVING UNEXPECTEDLY AND IMMEDIATELY WENT TO OVER 7,000 RPM. I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND MAINTAINED BR
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 1 crashes

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 BR

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Bmw X3

Based on 56 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 20K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
33
30-60K
6
60-100K
11
100-150K
6
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 44K mi · 15 reports
0-30K
7
30-60K
1
60-100K
5
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
1
60-100K
0
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 43K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
0
60-100K
3
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

High-mileage issuemedian 87K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
2
60-100K
3
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)25/10/2018

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.

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Bmw X3

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,001
Per month
$167
Per mile
16.7¢
MPG
24
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,286/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Bmw X3

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$2,124
Full coverage / month
$177
Liability only / year
$688
vs US avg
+27%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating0.94x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$2124

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Bmw X3 Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
10K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

Condition-Based Service (CBS) tells you exactly when service is due. Transmission fluid was labeled 'lifetime' but many owners service at 60K-100K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Bmw New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
12 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Bmw. If you're buying a used 2017 X3, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Bmw dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 138 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: 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 BR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH UPHILL, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PARK AVE BMW (530 HUYLER STREET, SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ 07606) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE UNDER THE REAR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: 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. I PULL UP TO MY HOUSE AND PARK THE VEHICLE ON MY CITY STREET. I PARK TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND LO

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: 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 WOU

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Bmw dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
138
Recalls
6
Fire reports
4
Crash reports
15
Injury reports
5
Segment avg
127

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2017 Bmw X3