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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2017 BMW X3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
2%of 92 total for the year
Median mileage
50,900miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 BMW X3, 2% of the 92 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,900 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Engine seized at 65mph highway speeds during commute to work on busy boston highway. Narrowly avoided several collisions as vehicle coasted to stop. Vehicle was purchased new from a Bmw dealer three weeks ago and has less than 2,000 miles on it. Dealer advises an oversized bearing was found in the engine causing it to overheat and seize . Engine requires replacement. Transmission, transfer case, electronics and cooling system damage are suspected by the dealer tech and will require monitoring.”

NHTSA complaint #11006636, filed 2017-07, 1,800 miles

“The contact owns a 2017 BMW X3. The contact stated that while the contact's wife was pulling into a driveway, the vehicle sporadically accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated that his wife was pumping the brakes but the vehicle failed to stop immediately. No air bags were deployed. The contact's wife was not injured and did not receive medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.”

NHTSA complaint #11526953, filed 2023-06, 100,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025411%
2024410%
202317%
2022910%
202154%
20201413%
201974%
201823%
201722%
2016911%
201599%
201467%
20136027%
2012717%
20112320%
2009316%
200858%
200766%
200611%
200544%
2004118%

Other parts of the 2017 BMW X3

Electrical system
30 complaints
Engine cooling
22 complaints
Engine
17 complaints
Fuel system
17 complaints
Brakes
12 complaints
Other or unknown
9 complaints
Air bags
7 complaints
Body and structure
6 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
Electronic stability control
2 complaints
Steering
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 BMW X3

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology