KnownCarProblems2018 BMW X5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 73 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW X5, most often about the engine (27% of complaints, typically around 73,000 miles). It is 20th of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2018 BMW X5 problems
Engine
20 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, while driving approximately 10 MPH, there was black smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the EGR cooler and intake manifold had failed and needed to be replaced. The…
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the thermostat was stuck opened, causing the check engine…
Fuel system
18 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system.
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the coolant low warning message was displayed. The contact checked the coolant level and noticed that the coolant level was low and added coolant. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no failure was found. The coolant level was topped…
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated while his wife was starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooling system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
Electrical
15 complaints · 21%The car displayed drivetrain malfunction warning message multiple times after the car reached 10k miles. The drivetrain malfunction message was reported to the dealer multiple times and dealer failed to provide proper explanation as well as failed to permanently fix the problem. The car is hybrid and the issue happens…
Other or unspecified
11 complaints · 15%Vehicle was parked in driveway after being serviced. 9,000 miles on odometer. When driving out of driveway noticed glass noise from above. Rolled back sunscreen and glass fell down into vehicle. On further inspection the glass around the hole is raised upward as if compressed from the outside frame. If driving at…
Transmission
10 complaints · 14%The car displayed drivetrain malfunction warning message multiple times after the car reached 10k miles. The drivetrain malfunction message was reported to the dealer multiple times and dealer failed to provide proper explanation as well as failed to permanently fix the problem. The car is hybrid and the issue happens…
Suspension
6 complaints · 8%Air bags
4 complaints · 6%Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: tread/belt.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 BMW X5 recalls
Electrical: connectors/plugs/receptacles
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: electrical
Risk: An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the charging cable, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began february 22, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2018 bmw 330e iperformance, i3 rex, i3 sport rex, x5 xdrive40e, i3 bev, i3 sport bev and 2019 i8 and i8 roadster vehicles and 2018-2019 530e iperformance, 530e xdrive iperformance and 740le xdrive iperformance vehicles. Capacitors within the turbocord portable chargers may fail, possibly resulting in a shock hazard or a fire.
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: If the lower control arm breaks, vehicle handling and control can be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower-left control arms and replace if necessary, free of charge. The recall began july 11, 2018. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2018 bmw x5 xdrive35i, x5 xdrive50i, x5 xdrive35d, and x6 sdrive35i vehicles. The pivot bolt on the front lower-left control arm may not have been properly hardened, which may cause the control arm to break.
Suspension
Risk: Loose bolts can affect the performance of the suspension, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the wishbone suspension bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin january 8, 2018. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2018 bmw x5 sav, x5 m sav, x6 sav, and x6 m sav vehicles. Bolts that secure the front suspension may not have been properly tightened.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
High pressure fuel pump failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe21-021 on october 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (my) 2019-2020 ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7l cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, odi sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response materials from both fca and bmw, NHTSA determined that sufficient information to identify a comprehensive recall population could not be produced by fca and bmw.during the investigation fca filed rec
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2018 BMW X5
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 BMW X5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (20 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles); fuel system (18 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); electrical (15 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2018 BMW X5 have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 13, 2024 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the BMW X5?
- It is 20th of 27 X5 model years by number of complaints, with 73 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.