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2017 BMW 3 Series problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2017 BMW 3 Series has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 75owner complaints
- 2crash reports
- 1fire report
- 14%fail the UK MOT
75 complaints, against an average of 122 for the other 13 BMW 3 Series model years.
Every BMW 3 Series model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2017 BMW 3 Series?
The components named most often in the 75 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2017 BMW 3 Series owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 75 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does my 2017 BMW 3 Series overheat?18 owners · 24%
- Why does my 2017 BMW 3 Series stall, lose power or shut off while driving?8 owners · 10.7%
- Can the sunroof on the 2017 BMW 3 Series shatter or fail?6 owners · 8%
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2017 BMW 3 Series?3 owners · 4%
- Why does my 2017 BMW 3 Series smell of burning or smoke?3 owners · 4%
- Has the 2017 BMW 3 Series had high-voltage battery or EV system failures?3 owners · 4%
Has the 2017 BMW 3 Series been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2017 BMW 3 Series as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2017 BMW 3 Series recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSATakata Driver and/or Passenger Airbag Recall (Global VINs)
Risk: Affected vehicles are already included in Safety Recalls within the markets they have previously resided in. The vehicles may be fitted with a driver and/or passenger airbag/s which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury which could prove fatal to people in the vicinity.
Fix: Vehicles will have the affected airbags checked and if necessary replaced.
UK DVSAReplace the Engine Starter Motor
Risk: For affected vehicles there is a concern involving water ingress and corrosion to the starter motor for where a short circuit cannot be ruled out. It is strongly recommended to park the vehicle outdoors and not in the immediate vicinity of buildings until the repair has been carried out.
Fix: Replacement of the starter motor.
UK DVSACheck Driver’s Airbag for Conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5
Risk: Affected vehicles may have had a retrofit or conversion of the airbag using a previously recalled airbag variant which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury possibly fatal to people in the vicinity. The original factory fitment airbag for the vehicle is not affected.
Fix: Vehicles will have the airbag checked and if necessary replaced.
UK DVSAA possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which…A possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.
Risk: A possible degradation of airbag propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.
Fix: On affected vehicles the drivers airbag module will be replaced.
UK DVSAIn rare cases the starter motor can inadvertently be activated permanently presenting a risk of a thermal event
Risk: In rare cases the starter motor can inadvertently be activated permanently presenting a risk of a thermal event.
Fix: Rework the starter motor assembly.
UK DVSAUndetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold
Risk: Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold.
Fix: The engine management control unit (DDE) will be programmed with improved software incorporating the latest OBD functionality.
UK DVSAThe exhaust gas recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident
Risk: The Exhaust Gas Recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the EGR cooler module will be replaced.
UK DVSAThe exhaust gas recirculation module could leak over time
Risk: The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Module could leak over time and cause thermal incident.
Fix: The EGR cooler will be internally inspected with an endoscope and replaced if evidence of leaking is found.
UK DVSAThe exhaust gas recirculation cooler could leak over time
Risk: Leaking glycol coolant could create in combination with soot and oil sediments in the EGR module ignitable deposits.
Fix: The EGR cooler will be internally inspected with an endoscope and replaced if evidence of leaking is found.
UK DVSAExhaust gas recirculation module cooler could leak
Risk: The EGR cooler may leakpresenting a fire risk
Fix: A visual inspection of the EGR cooler to check for leaks and excessive build-up of deposits. The EGR cooler will be replaced on all affected vehicles
UK DVSAExhaust gas recirculation cooler could potentially leak over time
Risk: The EGR cooler may leakpresenting a fire risk.
Fix: The EGR cooler will be replaced with an improved version.
UK DVSAPlug in contact cable may malfunction
Risk: It is possible that the connection between the B+ cable and the Power Distribution Box can become damaged by wear and heat which is caused by high current flow and high contact resistance. Normally this will result in a non-start situation after parking the vehicle. However it is possible that this could in extreme cases occur whilst the vehicle is in motion. The driver should be made aware of the issue by flickering of the instrument cluster (dash) or an engine mis-fire; but if the driver does not then the engine could cut-out without warning.
Fix: Recall all affected vehicles with petrol engines and replace the cable/connection with a more robust item.
UK DVSAPossible loss of control
Risk: The bolts securing the rear axle support should not be re-used after removal. Affected vehicles may have had the rear axle support refitted after repair work using the original fitted bolts. These may work and though noise and vibration are likely continued use may affect the vehicle's handling.
Fix: On affected vehicles replace the rear axle support bolts.
EU Safety GateWater may enter the starter motor and cause damage.As a result, the engine may no longer start, or the starter motor may short-circuit or remain continuously activated. This could cause local overheating of the starter motor or thermal overload of surrounding components and lead to a vehicle fire, including when the ignition is switched off.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 31/08/2026
EU Safety GateWater may come into contact with the starter relay and gradually cause corrosion.This could affect the electrical connection inside the relay and make the engine difficult to start. It may also result in a short circuit and could cause the starter to overheat leading to a fire when the vehicle is in motion or when it is parked with the ignition off.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time.If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time.If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe propellant in the driver airbag can deteriorate due to high humidity and temperature variations.In the event of an accident in which the airbag deploys, this could result in fragments from the inflator casing coming loose and injuring the vehicle’s occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 29/06/2021
EU Safety GateThe control unit of the electronic power steering may have been incorrectly manufactured.This may cause a fire even when the vehicle is parked. Furthermore, steering assistance might fail while driving.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2017 BMW 3 Series fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2017, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2017 BMW 3 Series owners report?
12 of the 75 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 330E. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V441000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted several times and informed the contact that the parts were on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 330E. The contact stated that after parking in the driveway at the residence and turning off the vehicle, there was a sound coming from underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact immediately disconnected the auxiliary battery, but the clicking noise persisted. The contact opened the hood and discovered smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment. The Fire Department was called to the residence, but the flames had self-extinguished. The Fire Department inspected under the hood of the vehicle and confirmed that there was a small. The vehicle was later…
Diesel fuel pump failed while driving on the road. I also own a 2014 328d BMW which was recalled earlier where the diesel fuel pump was replaced by the dealership. While driving on the road, the car unexpectedly turned off in traffic. I managed to get the vehicle off the road and called a tow truck. I contacted my local BMW dealer and informed me my 2017 328d is not under a recall like my 2014 328d was. I then instructed the tow truck driver to take the car to an independent mechanic who specializes on BMWs. The diagnosis is a fail fuel pump.
Component: Engine Cooling System: Turbocharger Coolant Return Line/Fitting (Part # 11538854735). Defect Summary: The factory turbocharger coolant return line on the B48 engine uses a plastic quick-disconnect fitting and O-ring mechanism positioned directly under the turbo. Extreme thermal cycling causes this plastic to degrade, become brittle, and fail or separate without warning, resulting in immediate, catastrophic drainage of pressurized engine coolant. Failure of Manufacturer Requirements: This component fails basic durability, material safety, and engineering standards for pressurized…
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…
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 &…
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 320i. The contact stated that while his son was driving 35 MPH after an oil change was performed on the vehicle, the message "Engine Temperature High. Drive Moderately to Cool Engine. Consult Service Center" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the same independent mechanic, where an unknown diagnosis was made. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the water pump electrical connector and wiring were corroded, fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to…
I started to hear a grinding noise from the center-underside of my car about 4 months ago. I did some research and found that many BMW customers had experienced the same noise and the diagnosis was a parking brake line that drops on the main driveshaft after breaking free of the plastic support that is supposed to hold it in place. A video with sound of of the problem can been seen/heard here - [XXX] I had my BMW dealer look into the problem and his diagnosis was the same. The plastic clip that holds the parking brake cable in place had broken. And when the cable drops it rubs on the…
On May 4th, at approximately 6:45 AM, I was driving in heavy rain at a speed under 65 miles per hour when my car hydroplaned and I lost control. This resulted in a significant accident. Despite the severity of the crash, the steering wheel airbag did not deploy, which resulted in a whiplash neck injury for me. There were no warning lamps or messages indicating a problem before the incident. However, after the crash, all the lights on the dashboard turned on. The malfunctioning airbag posed a serious risk to my safety. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer, manufacturer, police…
Passenger restraint system malfunction just came out of the blue. In the morning it was fine, in the afternoon when I went out to my car it threw this error. Other cars in the 5 and X series with the sport seats I have were also recalled for this same issue, but there is no recall for my car. Please help!
Cracked fuel tank. Smells of gasoline when the tank is full but the odor goes away once the fuel level gets below 3/4-1/2 a tank. Here is a walk around video of when my car was in for this issue [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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…
2017 BMW 3 Series: questions owners ask
Is the 2017 BMW 3 Series reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 BMW 3 Series; the most common categories were engine (31, 41.3%), electrical system (12, 16%), fuel/propulsion system (7, 9.3%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 2 complaints mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 1 injury was reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 BMW 3 Series?
Across 75 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (41.3% of complaints), electrical system (16% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (9.3% of complaints), power train (6.7% of complaints), engine and engine cooling (5.3% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2017 BMW 3 Series have any recalls?
As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2017 BMW 3 Series. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2017 BMW 3 Series overheat?
18 of the 75 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 BMW 3 Series (24%) describe the engine overheating or coolant loss. One owner wrote: "I noticed coolant leaking from under the vehicle. The message to add coolant was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the engine was inspected, and was notified of stains of coolant coming from the head gasket." (NHTSA complaint 11655819, April 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2017 BMW 3 Series stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
8 of the 75 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 BMW 3 Series (10.7%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "UNKNOWN, it has problems with stalling and starting up could be issues with the internal drive system that I’ve seen other types of similar models of bmw having these recall issues as well." (NHTSA complaint 11643357, February 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Can the sunroof on the 2017 BMW 3 Series shatter or fail?
6 of the 75 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 BMW 3 Series (8%) describe the sunroof or panoramic roof shattering, exploding or failing. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11523947, May 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2017 BMW 3 Series?
3 of the 75 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 BMW 3 Series (4%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "High Pressure Fuel Pump started going out on 15 April 2021 while under manufacturer warranty. Took to Moss Motors BMW in Lafayette LA. BMW found High Pressure Fuel pump issue, replaced fuel rail and sensors. Check Engine Light came back on 21 May 2021." (NHTSA complaint 11435141, October 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2017 BMW 3 Series smell of burning or smoke?
3 of the 75 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 BMW 3 Series (4%) describe a burning smell or smoke. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11487410, October 2022). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Has the 2017 BMW 3 Series had high-voltage battery or EV system failures?
3 of the 75 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 BMW 3 Series (4%) describe high-voltage battery or electric drive system failures. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11751336, July 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own 3 Series
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2017 only; combines NHTSA's entries for 3 SERIES, 3 SERIES GT and 3 SERIES PHEV.