2017 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 73 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 2 involved a crash. 1 person was injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
10 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 19, 2026
Hybrid battery has a failed cell. It was confirmed by BMW diagnostics but BMW refused to repair/replace failed cell even though it was under full 8yr/80k mile warranty. BMW claimed it as wear and tear, even though 1 out of 5 cells completely failed. The failure caused the car to run at reduced speeds causing others cars around me on the freeway to be in danger as all of sudden I am unable to reach freeway speeds due to part failure. There was an error stored in the car per BMW diagnostics that called for failed Cell to be replaced per notes of the technician who ran the diagnostics. The vehicle was inspected and confirmed by BMW. Yes, there was an error on the infotainment of the car. I advised of the error to BMW.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 6, 2025
Unsure of the exact cause, appears to be the high voltage battery/electric drive function that is faulty. It is creating a hazardous condition causing the vehicle to propel itself forward while driving in traffic and almost hitting other vehicles on the roadway when the electric drive fails or it switches between battery and the engine. If it’s not propelling itself forward, it’s unexpectedly decreasing power and preventing the vehicle from driving after stopping for traffic, traffic signals and traffic signs. Increasing the risk for a rear-end collision. The electric drive is failing & rapidly switching between battery & engine multiple times in a short period. Likely increasing risk for a fire hazard. This is putting the driver & others on the roadway at risk due to increased collision and fire risks. Ferman BMW has recreated the issue. They advised it needed 2 new batteries, standard and the auxiliary battery. Those were replaced and the vehicle still is having issues. Six replaced 3 times. They now blame it on the high voltage batteries & their age. HV batteries are covered under warranty, yet Ferman BMW states they are not because there’s no fault code. Their position is the electric drive malfunction message is a notification & not a fault code. Despite duplicating the issues, having notice of the hazard they refuse to fix it. The message states “ Electric drive is temporarily restricted. You can continue driving. After cooling/heating of high-voltage battery full electric drive power will immediately be available.” A brief search will reveal many others with the same issue and some were successful in getting it handled under warranty. The car has been inspected by Ferman BMW 6 times. This is an ongoing issue with this model and a hazard to the driver, passengers and others on the roadways. Similar issues: [XXX] [XXX] Issue started 2022 car was only 5 yrs INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Lane departure, Back over prevention, Nov 19, 2022
During normal street and highway driving operation, the whole console and digital warning systems shutdown causing safety issues while driving.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2022
I received a warning on the dashboard that the tires needed inflating and that I should not drive the car over 80 miles per hour. When this happened the communication system on the car failed. I could not use the telephone or the direction feature. I do not know if other parts of the car also failed. When the tires were re inflated, these other features returned. This has happened twice. (In addition the tires needed reinflating on one or two other times.) BMW offers a courtesy service to reinflate the tires so that they don't maintain a record of the problem and they are unable to add a note to their service record to document the problem. (BMW San Francisco).
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 20, 2022
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Coolant lines How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car would state that it is overheating a month after oil change and fluids replaced Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Dealer confirmed that there is a coolant issue Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? It has been inspected by the dealership. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Engine light, coolant low warning, overheat warning, I am also having issues with car start/stop controls. With my car at 58k miles on it I don’t think the auxiliary battery should be having issues like it does. I read that some starters could be the issue but there is no recall on my vehicle which is in the USA. I have only had the car for 5 months and have significant auxiliary battery issues which ping off a lot of different sensors. They are listed in the photo.
Electrical system, Dec 6, 2021
2017 BMW 340I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MILEAGE DISCREPANCY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE COMPANY OFFLEASEONLY WAS RUNNING A SCAM, WHERE THEY ADVERTISE LOW MILEAGE CARS WHEN IN ACTUALLY THE MILEAGE IS CONSIDERABLY HIGHER.
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 24, 2021
Car won’t start, I brought a new battery and still won’t start. No electricity running through the car at all. I haven’t even had it a year yet. 44,000 miles on it!
Steering, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, May 8, 2021
DRIVING AT 40MPH AN ALERT ERROR FOR STEERING AND BRAKING WARNING CAME UP AND STALLED THE CAR TO ZERO MPH. A REVIEW OF OTHER INTERNET COMPLAINTS ON BMW OWNERS WAS SIMILAR. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL?
Electrical system, Feb 5, 2020
THE AUTOMATIC LIFTGATE WOULD CLOSE ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN I'M REACHING FOR ITEM(S) DEEP IN THE CARGO AREA. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT SINCE MY FEET ARE UNDER THE HANDS-FREE/ KICK SENSOR FOR THE AUTOMATIC LIFT GATE THAT THAT WOULD ACTIVATE IT. HOWEVER, THE LIFTGATE WOULD ALSO OPEN OR CLOSE WHEN I'M NOT UNDER THE SENSOR SUCH AS FILLING UP FOR GAS OR PUTTING THE CAR COVER ON. FORTUNATELY, THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE PURCHASE IN 2018, BUT DEALER SERVICE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SITUATION.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 18, 2019
WHILE THE CAR WAS PLUGGED IN OVERNIGHT IN THE GARAGE, (IT IS A HYBRID), A TERRIBLE ODOR WAS RELEASED AND CARBON MONOXIDE WAS DETECTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TWICE (THIS OCCURRED TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW) AND DETECTED HIGH LEVELS OF CO FROM INSIDE THE CAR AND FROM THE HOOD. WE NEEDED TO EVACUATE THE HOUSE EACH TIME. GAS COMPANY AND PLUMBER CONFIRMED THERE WAS NO OTHER ISSUES IN GARAGE. UPON REMOVAL OF THE CAR, ISSUES NO LONGER PERSIST. BMW CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, BUT I REFUSE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK, GIVEN SAFETY FOR MY FAMILY. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, TURNED OFF, LOCKED, AND CHARGING OVERNIGHT.