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2017 BMW X3Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 92 owner complaints about the 2017 BMW X3, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-608 the manufacturer reports only 40% of affected cars repaired.

2017 BMW X3
54
CarFlaw IndexSolid year14% below the X3 median · #13 of 21 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Lowest repair rate 40%Owner complaints9214 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage87kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 6, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2017 BMW X3 has problems

92 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system301
Engine and engine cooling220
Engine173
Fuel/propulsion system133
Service brakes116
Air bags71
Structure62
Fuel system, diesel40
Vehicle speed control32
11 other systems164

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2017 BMW X3 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

40%repaired · 2026 Q3

Wiring: connectors/plugs/receptacles

Recall 24V-608 · Aug 13, 2024 · 720,796 vehicles · 291,682 repaired

Risk. An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

91%repaired · 2023 Q4

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 21V-586 · Jul 29, 2021 · 11,216 vehicles · 10,219 repaired

Risk. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

84%repaired · 2020 Q3

Emission control: gas recirculation valve (egr valve)

Recall 18V-755 · Oct 25, 2018 · 44,368 vehicles · 37,268 repaired

Risk. The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
82%repaired · 2018 Q1

Steering: electric power assist system

Recall 16V-704 · Oct 3, 2016 · 103 vehicles · 84 repaired

Risk. An increase in pin contact resistance can increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

61%repaired · 2017 Q4

Child seat: latch strap

Recall 16V-333 · May 23, 2016 · 188,668 vehicles · 115,223 repaired

Risk. Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

2017 vs. every other X3 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the X3 median. How we score

'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2017 BMW X3 safety ratings

2017 BMW X3 SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
2017 BMW X3 frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crash★★★★★
2017 BMW X3 side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrier★★★★★
2017 BMW X3 side pole test, NHTSA
Side pole★★★★★
  • Rollover: 4 stars (16.9% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2017 BMW X3, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
  2. High pressure fuel pump failureEA23001 · still open
    Led to recall 24V-957
In owners' words

What X3 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I have tried to set up an appointment with my local dealer for a recall notice several times, but they never have the part needed. One time they said they had the part and after dropping the car off my wife returned to find out they still did not have the part The date below is approximate
Complaint 11736163 · May 6, 2026
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 not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time…
Complaint 11669511 · Jun 26, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message that the "Engine was Overheated" was displayed on the instrument panel with the RPM elevated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed with a defective water pump. The…
Complaint 11668545 · Jun 23, 2025 · 44,000 miles

Own a 2017 X3?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.