YearToAvoid

2017 BMW X5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

13/100

#14 most-complained of 16 X5 years

The 2017 BMW X5 ranks 14th worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 13 and a Best verdict relative to other X5 years. It had 74 complaints, 6 recalls, 3 crashes, and 1 death, with Fuel System issues the top problem area.

Complaints
74
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 1
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20.5
18 city / 24.5 hwy

Top 2017 BMW X5 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System20 (27%)
  2. Electrical System17 (23%)
  3. Engine17 (23%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain10 (14%)
  5. Other9 (12%)
  6. Brakes8 (11%)
  7. Structure & Body7 (9%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (9%)
  9. Airbags5 (7%)
  10. Seat Belts5 (7%)

What owners report

  • Owners report brake pedals sinking to the floor at low speed, causing minor collisions while parking.
  • Some drivers experienced sudden loss of power steering and brakes at highway speed along with dashboard warnings.
  • The driver seat belt buckle reportedly rattled continuously whether the vehicle was parked or moving.
  • Owners describe the transmission and parking brake failing to hold the vehicle, letting it roll forward after being parked.
  • On the diesel fuel system, drivers reported a sudden power surge followed by a drivetrain malfunction warning and loss of acceleration.
  • One owner reported the driver's side airbag failed to deploy during a multi-vehicle crash caused by another car losing control on ice.
2017 BMW X5 complaints: complaints filed per quarter92017 Q12018 Q42020 Q12021 Q32022 Q42024 Q12025 Q3
111 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q1 (9).

2017 BMW X5 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V608000Aug 13, 2024Electrical System720,796 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles

    BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

    Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  2. NHTSA 21V907000Nov 19, 2021Fuel System50,404 vehicles

    Fuel system, diesel

    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 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.

    Risk: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.

    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 18V-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on January 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  3. NHTSA 21V586000Jul 29, 2021Fuel System11,216 vehicles

    Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.

    Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

See all 6 recalls for the 2017 BMW X5 →

2017 BMW X5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
24.5 MPG
Combined
20.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,900
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other X5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Good47152621
2016Best074520.5
2017Best1374620.5
2018Best772520.5
2019Caution671881320.5

All BMW X5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 BMW X5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 X5 has a complaint index of 13 and ranks 14th out of 16 model years, making it one of the better years for this model.
What problems does the 2017 BMW X5 have?
NHTSA complaints for the 2017 X5 concentrate on the Fuel System (27% of complaints), Electrical System (23%), and Engine (23%), with a median failure mileage of 29,000 miles for fuel system issues.
Does the 2017 BMW X5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2017 X5, covering the electrical system, fuel system, engine, suspension/tires, and airbags; none are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2017 X5 compare to other X5 years?
The 2017 X5 has a complaint index of 13, far lower than 2011 (80), 2012 (87), or 2024 (100), placing it among the Best years for the X5.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.