CarRecallWatchThe 2018 BMW X3 has 11 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 76 complaints with NHTSA, including 4 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Electrical System (22 reports).
2018 BMW X3 recalls
Rear Cargo Rail May Detach in a Crash, Raising Injury Risk
Certain 2018-2022 BMW X3 vehicles may have a rear cargo rail attachment that can become damaged in a rear-end crash.
Cargo rail may detach in rear crash, raising injury risk
Certain 2018-2023 BMW X3 vehicles may have an interior cargo rail attachment that can become damaged in a rear-end crash.
Passenger Front Airbag May Not Deploy in a Crash
Some BMW X3 and X4 vehicles from 2018 and 2019 may have a front passenger seat occupant classification system that was improperly assembled.
Loose dash panel may break apart during airbag deployment
The instrument panel casing may not have been tightened properly to the passenger airbag.
Rear-view camera image can be turned off, raising crash risk
The rear-view camera display on these vehicles can be adjusted so the backup camera image no longer appears, and the system keeps that setting the next time the car is put in reverse.
Front Seatbacks May Fold Unexpectedly, Raising Crash Injury Risk
Front seatback frames may have been improperly welded during manufacturing.
Rear Brake Pistons May Reduce Braking Power
The rear brake caliper pistons on certain vehicles may have an insufficient coating, which can reduce rear brake performance.
Rear turn signals may show mixed red and amber colors
On certain vehicles, the rear turn signal lights on the outer side panel may glow red while the inner turn signals glow amber at the same time.
Steering Wheel May Miss Hands-Off Driving Alerts
Certain 2018-2019 BMW X3 vehicles equipped with the Active Lane Keeping Assistant may have a steering wheel that is incompatible with the lane keeping function.
Rear Spoiler May Detach While Driving, Creating Crash Risk
The rear spoiler on certain vehicles may not have been properly attached during assembly, or may be missing screws.
Instrument Display May Not Light Up, Raising Crash Risk
The instrument panel software in these vehicles may contain an error that prevents the display from properly illuminating.
Most common 2018 BMW X3 problems
Problem areas named in the 76 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 22 |
| Engine | 16 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Structure | 9 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
What owners report
I am reporting a serious safety-related failure involving my 2018 BMW X3. While I was driving on Highway [XXX] in [XXX] on XXX, the vehicle suddenly lost electrical power and became disabled while I was traveling in active highway traffic. The instrument cluster went completely black and the vehicle would not restart. Because the vehicle became disabled unexpectedly while I was on the freeway, I was placed in an extremely dangerous situation with a significant risk of being struck by other vehicles traveling at highway speed. The vehicle also could not properly operate the hazard warning lights after the failure, which significantly increased the danger to me and other motorists because a
A rock hit the front of the moonroof glass and a minutes later the moonroof tempered glass exploded while driving.
My car suddenly lost all power when at a red light in a turn lane on an active roadway. Fortunately, it was daytime because I could not turn on hazards or lights. I couldn't open the trunk and more importantly I couldn't shift into neutral because of the power failure. A tow truck was sent but he didn't have rollers and couldn't jump start the car, so a second tow was called. We ended up there with the car in the road blocking traffic for 3 hours. If it was night, someone could have hit my car. The car was towed to BMW and diagnosed with a faulty alternator, internal failure of the main battery and failure of the second battery. The technician said the battery failures were due to the
There were several radiatior hose leaks that happened in the winter due to the outdated plastic housing and lines that seized and cracked with colder temperatures. It has become extremely common historically and not considered affordable part or labor to replace.
The sunroof drains of the vehicle become easily clogged. When this happens, water drains into the battery compartment and interior of the vehicle. Although BMW is aware of this, and the attendant danger of having water pooling in the battery compartment, they have not addressed the issue. There are no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the problem.
2018 BMW X3 questions
Does the 2018 BMW X3 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls for the 2018 BMW X3: Rear Cargo Rail May Detach in a Crash, Raising Injury Risk; Cargo rail may detach in rear crash, raising injury risk; Passenger Front Airbag May Not Deploy in a Crash; Loose dash panel may break apart during airbag deployment; Rear-view camera image can be turned off, raising crash risk. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 BMW X3?
Based on 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (22), Engine (16), Unknown Or Other (12).
How do I check if a recall on my 2018 BMW X3 has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.