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: power train
5 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.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 9, 2022
We had a 2017 bmw 330i x-drive. It had approximately 67000 miles. The car stalled while driving about 6 times. The first time was in 3/2021. The diagnostics were for a faulty high pressure fuel pump. We replaced the HPFP. It stalled again while driving. The diagnostics were for a faulty low pressure fuel pump. We replaced this. The car then stalled while driving 2 more times. The car stalled again in 10/2021, and we towed it to the dealer, who diagnosed a problem with the electric fuel pump control unit., which the dealer replaced. We brought the car home for one day, and we had the same problem again. We brought the car back to the BMW dealer, who diagnosed a problem with the VANOS system. The BMW Peabody dealer directed us to BMW corporate for evaluation of available warranties and rebates given the nature of the problem (VANOS) being warranted under the California SULEV emissions standards and the fact that they dealer had diagnosed a separate problem the day before. We sent the diagnostics and the SULEV warranty info to Sean, as everyone at BMW seemed unaware of its existence and who was responsible for following it. He took weeks “looking into it,” and the dealer repaired the VANOS during this time without a final answer from corporate. A car stopping while driving is clearly dangerous to the occupants and surrounding vehicles. BMW did not honor the SULEV warranty, which clearly covers the VANOS and the fuel pumps until 70000 miles. The car was traded to BMW Peabody, as we no longer felt safe driving it. We do not know if the replacement of the VANOS fixed the problem.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 24, 2022
Water pump keeps going bad 2nd time replacing in 2 years rough idle and failed part problems that BMW service team does not understand. Vehicle has stalled at 0 rpm I'm thinking there is an issue with the engine also reported by previous owner and I also have the same complaints, as well the foot release which I was was told was an option never worked. Please search vin [XXX] for all incident reports with this vehicle. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
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!
Power train, Jul 21, 2017
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY ON THE LEFT LANE OF TRAFFIC AT A SPEED OF 65MPH IN "EDRIVE" MODE. AS EXPECTED, IT SHIFTED FROM ELECTRIC TO COMBUSTION ENGINE AT 65MPH THOUGH THE AT THIS POINT THE CAR STARTED COASTING, AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, EVEN THOUGH THE INDICATOR ON THE GEAR SHIFT SHOWED "D". THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ALSO WENT ON. I FIRST ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH BACK TO ELECTRIC DRIVE ONLY ("MAX EDRIVE MODE") BUT TO NO AVAIL. I THEN DECIDED TO COAST TO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO THE RIGHT OF THE HIGHWAY BUT AFTER I MADE MY WAY TO THE MIDDLE LANE, THE TRAFFIC SLOWED DOWN AND I HAD TO USE THE BRAKE AND NO LONGER HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO MAKE IT SAFELY TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. I FRANTICALLY TRIED SEVERAL TIME TO SHIFT THE "D" MODE SEVERAL TIME BUT ONLY MANAGED TO PUT THE GEAR SHIFT IN "N" (WITH NO WAY OF PUTTING IT BACK IN "D" MODE). AS OF LAST RESORT (I WAS NOW COASTING AT 10~5 MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY), I PRESSED THE START/STOP BUTTON AND THAT SOMEHOW RESET THE SYSTEM AND I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE ONCE AGAIN AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ISSUE SINCE THIS INCIDENT (7/18 7PM PST) AND HAD IT CHECKED THE NEXT DAY BY THE DEALERSHIP WHO GAVE ME THE FOLLOWING EXPLANATION: CONNECTED CHARGER AND RAN SHORT TEST. FOUND FAULT FOR HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY SHUT OFF DUE TO LOW CHARGE LEVEL. VEHICLE WAS NOT CHARGED CAUSING THE CUSTOMER COMPLAINT. CLEARED FAULTS CHARGED VEHICLE AND TEST DROVE. NO ISSUES AT THIS TIME I AM NOT SATISFIED BY THE EXPLANATION: MY BATTERY WAS NOT FULLY DEPLETED (THE CAR DROVE ON ELECTRIC SHORTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT WHEN I EXITED THE HIGHWAY).