Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 X3.
The 2017 BMW X3 is a compact SUV fitted with an automatic (S8) transmission and EPA-rated fuel economy of 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. This model year generated 92 owner complaints—primarily concerning the engine, cooling, and electrical systems—and carries six manufacturer recalls, placing it well below the model's historical high-water mark of 373 complaints logged in 2007, yet significantly above the series low of 10 complaints seen in 2023. That positioning indicates a middle-ground reliability profile for this generation, suggesting moderate field issues relative to both the troubled early production years and the more refined recent iterations.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428683168. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | 11428683168 alt 11428580682 |
| Engine air filter | 13717601868 alt 13717571355 |
| Fuel filter | 13328584874 |
| Spark plug | 12120039664 alt 12120037582 |
| Battery | 61217598775 alt 61217639053 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612458017 |
| Thermostat | 11518512234 alt 11518516207 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119237159 alt 64319312318 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 183.1 in |
| Overall width | 74 in |
| Overall height | 66.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.6 in |
| Curb weight | 4149 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63.8 / 64.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 21 / 28 / 24 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the X3 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 5.30 sec | 13.90 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2015 | xDrive28i 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.00 sec | 14.70 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2015 | xDrive28d 2.0L Turbo Diesel I-4 | 7.70 sec | 16.00 sec | 180 hp | AWD |
| 2015 | xDrive28d 2.0L Turbo Diesel I-4 | 7.90 sec | 16.20 sec | 180 hp | AWD |
| 2013 | xDrive28i 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.20 sec | 14.80 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2011 | xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 5.60 sec | 14.20 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2011 | xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 6.00 sec | 14.60 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2011 | xDrive28i 3.0L I-6 | 6.70 sec | 15.00 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Clutch Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 7.4 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 3.0 ft-lbs |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 7.4 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 108.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 72.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 2979cc Turbo: 26 ft-lbs |
| Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s) | 35.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 103 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Gap | Not adjustable in |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.04-1.09 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 800 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 800 cca |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 70 degrees | 70 degrees |
| 3 | 70 | |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 70 | |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 70 degrees | 70 degrees |
| 2 | 70 | |
Prep 1995cc Liter Engines: Step 1: 30 ft. lbs.
| 2 | + 120 degrees. 1997cc Liter Engines: 26 ft. lbs. 1998cc Liter Engines: Step 1: 21 ft. lbs. | 120 degrees |
| 2 | + 180 | |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 180 | |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.
| 1 | Bolts 1-14 | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | Bolts 1-14 | 90 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1-14 | 180 degrees |
| 4 | M9 Bolts | 16.2 ft. lbs |
| 5 | M9 Bolts | 16.2 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 44.0 ft. lbs. | 44 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 45 | |
| 1 | 44.0 ft. lbs. | 44 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 45 | |
Prep Gasoline engines · M8 Bolts
| 1 | 84 inch lbs. | 84 in |
| 2 | 55 degrees; M11 Bolts | 55 degrees |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 100 degrees; Diesel engines | 100 degrees |
| 1 | 18.0 ft. lbs. | 18 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 36.0 ft. lbs. | 36 ft. lbs |
| 3 | 60 degrees | 60 degrees |
| 4 | 60 degrees | 60 degrees |
Prep Gasoline engines
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 70 degrees; Diesel engines; NS | 70 degrees |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 | |
| 1 | 18.0 ft. lbs. | 18 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 36.0 ft. lbs. | 36 ft. lbs |
| 3 | 60 degrees | 60 degrees |
| 4 | 60 | |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 70 | |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2017 BMW X3 sits at a transitional point in this generation's federal record, with 92 complaints, 6 recalls, and 2 investigations — a modest uptick from 2016's 81 complaints but well below the early-generation peak years (2006–2007 saw 345 and 373 complaints respectively). Notably, complaints remained relatively contained from 2009 through 2017 (ranging 81–92), suggesting a long stretch of comparative stability before a sharp deterioration beginning in 2018: complaints jumped to 164 by 2019 and recalls surged from 6 in 2017 to 11 in 2018 and 16 by 2020, indicating that subsequent model years introduced more systemic issues. For 2017 specifically, the top complaint area combines Engine & Engine Cooling with Electrical System (19 complaints), followed by Fuel/Propulsion System (9), Engine (8), and Air Bags (7), with 10 crash complaints and 2 fire complaints on record; the data does not specify root causes for these categories. The 212 TSBs for 2017, while lower than the 243 issued for 2016, still reflect substantial manufacturer-acknowledged service guidance. Taken together, 2017 represents one of the better years in this generation's arc — complaints are moderate, recalls are in line with the generation's stable middle period, and it precedes the recall-heavy later years — making it a reasonably sound choice among used X3 options, provided the buyer verifies that all six recalls have been addressed.
All 92 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and… Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under…
Showing 5 of 212 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| InVeh-In-App-Comm | 2026-03-25 | Structure | It has been established that the water drain in the right front end area is inadequate… |
| B010125 | 2025-08-08 | Engine | The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler limited warranty for defects in materials and… |
| B661719 | 2025-04-30 | Service Brakes | The vehicle applies the brakes on its own when reversing onto an inclined roadway or… |
| B010921 | 2024-12-11 | Engine | The NVLD limited emission related warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has… |
| B410722 | 2024-04-04 | Structure | While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg.