Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 BMW X3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The contact used the parking brake to assist while stopping the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the brake pads needed to be replaced. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired, the chassis failure and traction control failure warning lights light illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic and was diagnosed with brake failure. The contact was unsure of the parts that needed to be replaced to repair the vehicle. …
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 while driving at various speeds and while the vehicle was idling, the engine was running loudly. The vehicle was taken to Whitt's Auto Service Center, where an unknown repair was performed; however, the failure persisted. The check engine and the coolant temperature warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer and another dealer, BMW of Montgomery (731 Eastern Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36117) were contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. …
The contact owns a 2017 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at 29 MPH, the engine overheated. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was smoke coming from the vehicle. The contact was unaware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer, Tom Hesser BMW (1001 N Washington Ave, Scranton, PA 18509); but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) 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 for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine coolant warning light illuminated. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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 of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, there would be a vibrating sensation and a humming noise coming from the front end of the vehicle near the engine compartment. No warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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 vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
The contact owns a 2017 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she observed an odor emanating from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.
CARVANA - SOLD ME A 2ND LEMON. Vehicle has significant oil leak. Front of engine as well as underside of engine is covered in oil. Alternator is saturated in oil. (Eventually burning out the alternator) Serpentine belt is also saturated in oil making it swell and becoming soft. Also makes the belt slippery and outside edge of belt is damaged. Right rear tire is about to come apart very soon. The steel belt is serpentine from the tire. (Unsafe) Vehicle currently has 25 intermittent and pertinent codes. Drivers door and drivers side rear door are different color white they have been repainted. Emblem on driver side door is crooked. Vehicle is ready for rotors front and rear. They are grooved Brake pad replacement automatic with rotors. 60MPH road test revealed car is a little bouncy or chattering indicating one of the following: 1. Unbalanced Tires 2. Bad Tires 3. Bent Wheels
The contact owns a 2017 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel pump. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V586000 (Fuel System, Diesel); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
White smoke started coming out from underneath the hood of the vehicle while driving it. When at a stop light, it was emitted at an alarming rate such that it necessitated stopping the vehicle immediately. No warning indicators on the dashboard were illuminated however the smoke was sudden and alarming. The vehicle was stopped on a very busy road during rush hour. A tow truck was used to take the vehicle to an independent service center. It was found that the valve cover was cracked and the camshaft adjuster seal flange gasket was insufficient causing oil to leak. The service center found the valve color leaking oil onto the catalytic converter. Leaking oil can be a fire hazard.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
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…
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.
Engine complaints in other X3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2017 BMW X3?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2017 BMW X3, 42% of the model year's 92 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 BMW X3 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-755 (gas recirculation valve (egr valve), Oct 25, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2017 BMW X3 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.