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: other or unspecified
22 reports, newest first. Show all
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)
Other or unspecified, Feb 13, 2025
2 low coolant warnings within 4 months ended up being an oil filter housing failure, leading to oil and coolant mixing and leaking. This failure could have lead to catastrophic engine damage. An ASE certified shop is doing the repair for around $2,950.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 20, 2024
I’m not sure why my car was not apart of this water pump recall. I was driving without any warning my car started stalling and then completely stopped on me. I had to pay for a new water pump due to this. I thought that was was strange as I have always be up on all maintenance for my car. My car was in top notch condition and this occurred from no where. Thank God I was not hit.; but this did cause me a lot of hassle and money. I am asking BMW to refund me for my time lost and money spent. My car should be among BMW recall. Please add this car model to the recall and refund me my money.
Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2024
In October of 2023. I notice low coolant notification came on screen. checked coolant saw it was low. Added Coolants. 3 days later same notification. Took vehicle to Shop who stated the coolant cap seal was broken, so I had them replace the coolant cap. 3 days later the same Low coolant light came back. Every few days I had to put coolant in my vehicle. I went through 2 bottles of coolant. Over the Christmas holiday Dec/2023. I dropped my vehicle off at a shop. The oil filter housing and cooler gaskets was bad. BMW replaced this piece from a metal part with a plastic piece. This is my only vehicle and I had to pay for this expensive repair so I could get back and forth to work. Prior to me having the repair done, when I was trying to figure out the problem. I noticed a lot of online information of the same issues for 2017 BMW 330I. THe shop . did the repair told me he had done about 10 of these repairs for the same Year/Make and Model.,the past few months. I had to pay $2,637.20 for this repair. There is clearly a notable problem with coolant leaks. I make sure I have vehicle serviced when the notifications come on the screen and have documentation to show this. Please look into this issues.
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2023
The A/C shuts off after driving 40 minutes and the temperature of 250. Blower is running but will barely force air into the cabin
Other or unspecified, May 26, 2023
Was driving down highway going 70mph, I heard a loud pop above me and realized the front sunroof section shattered. Luckily it was not open and shade protected from glass. Glass has gone everywhere on the highway and scratched up the roof and my windshield also cracked.
Other or unspecified, Mar 16, 2023
While driving down the interstate I-65 South, my sunroof spontaneously exploded. It sounded like a bomb explosion inside my car and could have caused grave danger to myself. There was nothing dropped on my sunroof as the screen remained intact and closed with no damage. This was an upward and out explosion of my sunroof, which I feel is a defect and should have been the responsibility of BMW. However, the car manufacturer is prepared to charge me $2,719.05 to fix. This I believe is a defect. How does a sunroof explode spontaneously? Please help.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 25, 2022
out of nowhere with only 1 day warning car requested coolant refill. After refill within 10 minutes car engine ran hot and completely stopped on the expressway. I’ve read hundreds of reviews online and youtube where this exact same thing has happened to others with this same car.
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).
Other or unspecified, Oct 1, 2022
IN MARCH 2022 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A MECHANICAL SHOP CLOSE BY. I WAS INFORMED THAT QUICK RELEASE COUPLING OF THE VENTILATION LINE O FTHE CYLINDER HEAD HAD TO BE REPLACED. BMW PART # 17129845173. AS A RESULT OF THIS MALFUNCTION ALL OF THE COOLANT DRAINED FROM THE CAR WHICH CAUSED THE OVERHEATING. IN AUGUST OF 2022 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW USA THAT STATED "DURING A RECENT QUALITY ANALYSIS IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE QUICK RELEASE COUPLING OF THE VENTILATION LINE O FTHE CYLINDER HEAD COULD BREAK RESULTING IN COOLANT LOSS. THE LETTER SAID U SHOLD BRING IT TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP TO BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED IT WITH BMW PART # 17129845173 (SAME EXACT PART NUMBER). I ASKED IF I COULD BE REIMBURSED SINCE THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR. THE SALES ASSOCIATE SAID I HAVE TO GO THOROUGH BMW AMERICA WHO SAID, YES THIS IS THE EXACT SAME PART AND THE CURRENT PROBLEM IS WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN MARCH BUT THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE ALMOST 800.00 I PAID TO GET IT FIXED BEFORE I RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER. THE BMW REPRESENTATIVE THEN PROCEED TO TELL ME " ma’am, let me remind you that you drive a luxury vehicle so next time you have a problem I would suggest pulling over on the side of the road and towing it to a dealer”. I Informed this representative that I was thinking of my safety. I am a single female, in the dark, with my car smoking on the highway and my first instinct was not to pull over on the side of the highway, wait for a tow truck, then find my own ride home from a far away BMW dealership. I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION THAT INCLUDES THE INITIAL WORK, THE RECALL LETTER FROM BMW AND THE WORK DONE AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP SHOWING THAT IT WAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I AM SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT OF THE ORIGINAL WORK AS THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND WAS ALERTED BY BMW INDICATING THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN TO VEHICLE AND NEEDD TO BE FIXED.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 3, 2022
When I was driving on suburban roads with speed limit of 45 mph, I received a waring from my vehicle saying "engine high temperature, drive moderately". After sometime, it said "engine overheated stop carefully". During the first warning, I felt loss of acceleration power and during the second warning I felt completely no power in acceleration that too when I was yielding for a left turn which was life threatening, luckily the oncoming traffic slowed down. Otherwise I would have ended up in life threatening crash. During both warnings, I checked the engine temperature gauge in the instrument cluster and the engine temperature was not even 50% of the maximum temperature in the gauge. After the warning, I slowly made it to a nearby parking lot and opened the hood and did not physically feel any excessive heat for an engine not to function. I regularly service my vehicle and my vehicle is not due for any kind of service for the next 2000 mile as per the onboard vehicle status. The next day I started the vehicle to help it to climb the tow truck ramp and at that time, for the very first time I received a warning saying engine coolant is very low. I have never received this warning since I have owned the car until then. I have two concerns, 1. The temperature gauge did not show a high temperature, only 24 hours after the electronic engine high heat notification, the low coolant warning came in which is weird and my vehicle isn't due for any service. 2. None of the above should result in a sudden loss of acceleration power which could have resulted in a fatal crash in my case. I'm a mechanical engineer with a strong background in automotive occupant safety (airbags/seatbelts) and that's why I see this a very serious incident that needs to be looked into so that it doesn't occur for anyone else in the future.
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.
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2022
Failed component: Failure for a motor vehicle to signal the intention to perform a U-TURN maneuver. Safety at risk: U-TURN maneuvers often result in accidents that cause material damage, severe injuries and death of motorists, passengers, motorcycle riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians. These accidents usually happen due to the inability of drivers to properly signal or warn others of the intention to execute a U-TURN maneuver because of the non-existence of a U-TURN signal in motor vehicles. Problem reproduced/confirmed? Yes, this problem occurs every day on the public roads/streets of our Nation. Has vehicle/component been inspected? NO, the U-TURN signal has not been added under the NHTSA; therefore, no regulations exist for manufacturers, police, insurance, or others to inspect. Warning lamps/messages? NO, to this day, there is no official warning signal method to alert motorists of the intention to perform, and execution of a U-TURN maneuver. THE SOLUTION: Include U-TURN Signal devices and methods as part of the FMVSS No. 108. An effective/productive/economical and financial U-TURN Signal solution can be attained by the implementation of Patent # US 10,919,442 B1; Devices and methods for motor vehicle U-TURN signaling. The U-Turn signal solution offered under Patent # US 10,919,442 B1 is highly achievable at a low cost to implement. The patent uses a combination of existing and approved lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment, such as headlamps, reverse lamps, turn-signal lamps, and side lamps modules used in concert to generate a universally applicable signal that communicates to other travelers that a U-TURN maneuver is intended and under execution. The signaling device can be implemented via the use of a U-TURN signal switch that activates the light modules of a vehicle that correspond to the direction of the U-TURN maneuver. WE NEED TO ACT NOW TO REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS/INJURIES/DEATHS RESULTING FROM THE LACK OF U-TURNS WARNING SIGNAL
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 22, 2022
On February 5, 2022 while driving on 70 mph on I64 my vehicle shut down due to the recall causing the the high-pressure fuel pump to shut down causing the engine to stall and a message that there was a powertrain malfunction and the vehicle would not start back or go into gear. The interstate was very busy and I could have been hit by a tractor trailer or another vehicle at high speed. I received a recall notice that stated there was a remedy available November 2021, but when I called the dealership I was told there were no parts available and they would call me when parts became available. A month went by and the issue with the recall happened leaving me in a very dangerous situation. The car was towed to Moses BMW on 2/6/22 and over 30 parts have been ordered. I have been told that there is no estimate on when the parts would arrive. There is a second safety recall with no remedy that has been present October 2018 and Moses BMW sold me the vehicle in June 2020. I received a notice January 2022. This recall is for the EGR Cooler developing an internal leak possibly causing the vehicle to catch fire. I have asked BMW to buy the vehicle back due to safety reasons and the long wait time to fix the one recall and no fix for the other, and they refuse. In addition, they sold me a vehicle that was under recall and according to S.1634 - Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act that was against the law.
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2021
Damaged heat exchanger from debris/rocks getting through grill of car. Now A/C SYSTEM IS BLOWING WARM AIR, IT WILL BLOW COOL FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD AND THEN GET VERY HOT and car overheats. BMW dealer says the radiator needs replaced and will cost $1600. BMWs after 2017 are now manufactured with a mesh grill covering/rock guard to prevent these issues. This should be covered under my warranty and is not.
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.
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2019
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. SUNROOF AND SHADE WERE BOTH CLOSED. I WAS ACCELERATING SLOWLY. HEARD A SUDDEN, VERY LOUD POP AND GLASS BEGAN TO ENTER THROUGH THE SHADE VENTING AREA. A LARGE PORTION OF GLASS (PROBABLY 1/3 - 1/2) DISLODGED FROM THE AREA, SCRAPED THE BACK OF THE CAR AND LAUNCHED ONTO THE HIGHWAY BEHIND ME. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS BEHIND ME, MUCH LIKE ICE WOULD IF RELEASED FROM THE HOOD OF A MOVING CA.. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND EVALUATE THE DAMAGE. THE SUNROOF APPEARED TO HAVE BUCKLED AND BLOWN OUT, AS THE SHARDS OF GLASS WERE POINTED OUTWARD FROM THE CAR. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS IT IS AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY, DESPITE HAVING PURCHASED THE CAR CPO JUST OVER ONE MONTH AGO.
Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2019
THIS RECALL NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 19V349 HAS BEEN OPEN ON MY VEHICLE SINCE APRIL AND BMW HAS NOT REPAIRED MY VEHICLE YET. I WENT INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT YESTERDAY AND ASKED THEM TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS AND THEY SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS. I HAVE A 10 MONTH OLD BABY THAT SITS IN THE BACK SEAT AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR DUE TO THE RECALL. I AM IN A LEASE, HOW DO I GET OUT OF THIS CAR? I FEEL LIKE BMW IS NOT TAKING THIS RECALL SERIOUSLY. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Other or unspecified, Jun 17, 2019
I WAS DRIVING WHEN I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND. I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD HIT THE CAR. UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES. THIS OCCURRED ON JUNE 17, 2019.
Other or unspecified, Jul 1, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON A FREE WAY DURING RUSH HOUR WHEN I HEARD AN EXPLOSION. I PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THE MOON ROOF TO THE CAR HAD SHATTERED AND CREATED A VERTICAL PROTRUSION FROM THE WINDOW. THE TEMPERATURE THAT AFTERNOON WAS 109 AND I HAD DRIVEN FROM AN ALTITUDE OF 7,000 FEET TO 1,200 FEET. THERE WAS ALSO A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN TEMPERATURE FROM THE HIGHER ELEVATION. A HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER STOPPED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE AND NOTED HE HAD WORKED IN DEALERSHIP AND THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT LESS THAN A WEEK EARLIER, THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID A ROCK HAD HIT THE CAR AND I SHOULD CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE SERVICE REP INFORMED ME IT WAS IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE WITHOUT EXAMINING THE CAR. I SHARED WHAT THE DPS OFFICER SAID AND THE SERVICE REP JUST SHOOK HIS HEAD. THE CAR IS A PREOWNED CERTIFIED VEHICLE.
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2018
DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD, NO POTHOLES,ON SUNNY DAY, TEMP ABOUT 50. SUDDEN EXPLOSION AND SUNROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD. PULLED OFF ROAD, NOTHING HAD STRUCK THE CAR. THE SUNROOF GLASS WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 30, 2016
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH TWO PASSENGERS AND THE CAR SUDDENLY BECAME TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE. I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD ON A VERY BUSY STREET. I CONTACTED BMW AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. THE YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WAS STUCK IN PARK. I COULD NOT GET IT TO GO INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON TO NO AVAIL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. AFTER ABOUT 15 MIN THE CAR STARTED AND I MANAGED TO DRIVE TO MY HOUSE WHICH WAS CLOSE TO WHERE IT DIED ON THE ROAD. A TOW TRUCK IS ON ITS WAY TO BRING IT TO FLEMINGTON BMW. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT AT APPROXIMATELY 5:05 PM TO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS (TAWNY) WHO PROVIDED ME WITH YOUR WEBSITE. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS BROUGHT INTO SERVICE THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAULT CODES WITH THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS FUNCTIONALLY FINE. THEY ASKED IF I MIGHT HAVE ACCIDENTALLY TURNED THE CAR OFF WHILE DRIVING. BMW TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. I DO NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE BUT THIS COULD BE DETERMINED THROUGH ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. I TOLD BMW THAT THE CAR IS DANGEROUS AND I WOULD NOT DRIVE IT UNLESS THEY CAN DETERMINE WITH CERTAINTY WHAT IS WRONG. HAD I BEEN UNABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON BOTH INSTANCES WHEN IT BECAME TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE. ONCE AGAIN, THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND COULD NOT BE MOVED INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MIN BEFORE IT STARTED UP AGAIN.