2018 BMW X3
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 138 |
| 2005 | 103 |
| 2006 | 143 |
| 2007 | 98 |
| 2008 | 66 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 32 |
| 2011 | 111 |
| 2012 | 42 |
| 2013 | 226 |
| 2014 | 84 |
| 2015 | 105 |
| 2016 | 81 |
| 2017 | 92 |
| 2018 | 72 |
| 2019 | 164 |
| 2020 | 106 |
| 2021 | 100 |
| 2022 | 65 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2025 | 34 |
| 2026 | 14 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
28% of complaints: electrical system — 20 distinct reports on file.
21% of complaints: engine — 15 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
The oil filter housing, which is made of plastic, cracked while the vehicle was running on the highway, leading to sudden loss of the all the coolant and engine overheating.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240216
10% of complaints: steering — 7 distinct reports on file.
CRASH7% of complaints: suspension — 5 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: structure — 5 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive, M2, and X3 xDrive 30i SAV vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster display software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 17V719000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i and X3 M40i vehicles. The rear spoiler may not have been properly attached during assembly, or may be missing screws, possibly causing the spoiler to detach while driving.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spoiler, correcting its attachment as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 1, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 18V154000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i, X3 sDrive30i, and X3 M40i vehicles equipped with the "Active Lane Keeping Assistant" option.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 19, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 18V374000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i and X3 M40i vehicles. The rear turn signals on the outboard side panel will illuminate red, while the inboard turn signals simultaneously illuminate amber.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear turn signal lights, and replace if necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 18V431000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i and certain 2019 X4 xDrive30i and X4 M40i vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the rear brake circuit, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 18V453000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 X3 sDrive30i, xDrive30i and M40i and 2019 X4 xDrive30i and M40i vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seats, free of charge. The recall began September 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 19V563000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i,...
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735.
Campaign 19V684000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 X4 xDrive30i and X4 M40i, and 2018-2020 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3M vehicles. The instrument panel casing may not have been tightened properly to the passenger air bag.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel casing, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 20V152000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i and 2019 X4 xDrive30i, and X4 M40i vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat foam, which includes the occupant classification system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 21V521000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2022 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the rear cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 24V764000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2023 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the interior cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 24V534000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2018 BMW X3 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (20 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (15 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 17V719000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V154000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V374000 (lane departure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V431000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V453000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V563000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V684000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V152000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V521000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V764000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V534000 (structure) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
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WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2018 BMW X3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 BMW X3 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2018 BMW X3?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2018 BMW X3 have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.