2018 Bmw X5 Safety Report
2018 BMW X5 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Bmw X5
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Bmw X5. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (63) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Bmw X5 with 51 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Bmw X5 before buying across this generation. |
Bmw X5 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Bmw X5 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Bmw X5 | 158 | 13 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Bmw X5 | 73 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Bmw X5 | 88 | 11 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Bmw X5 | 67 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Bmw X5 | 85 | 12 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Bmw X5 | 51 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Bmw X5 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Bmw X5, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Bmw onlyFuel System, Diesel
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Diesel issues Bmw onlyElectrical System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Bmw onlyFuel/Propulsion System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Bmw onlyEngine And Engine Cooling,Electrical System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling,Electrical System issues Bmw onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Bmw onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Bmw X5
Reliability Score
The 2018 Bmw X5 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Bmw X5
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Bmw X5
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Bmw X5:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling, Electrical System Electrical shorts in the engine cooling system have been reported, potentially leading to engine overheating and loss of power. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System, Diesel Diesel fuel pump failures have caused recalls, leading to fuel delivery issues and potential engine stalling. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Suspension, Front Lower control arm issues have been reported, potentially causing uneven tire wear and reduced handling. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Windshield Wiper Fluid Reservoir The wiper fluid reservoir has failed and leaked, leading to reduced visibility and potential safety concerns. |
Low | Common | 6.5 years/34,000 miles miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Bmw X5:
Issues with the engine cooling system have been reported, affecting 50% of the vehicles.
Diesel fuel pump failures have been reported, affecting 40% of the vehicles.
Lower control arm issues have been reported, affecting 10% of the vehicles.
The wiper fluid reservoir has failed and leaked, affecting 5% of the vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2018 Bmw X5
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Bmw X5 by NHTSA:
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence: An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence: If the lower control arm breaks, vehicle handling and control can be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence: Loose bolts can affect the performance of the suspension, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Bmw X5
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Bmw X5 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 involved fires.
Vehicle: 2018 BMW X5 xDrive40e Recall: NHTSA Safety Recall 24V-608 Complaint Description: My 2018 BMW X5 xDrive40e experienced a sudden Electric Motor Electronics (EME) failure that rendered the vehicle inoperable. This occurred before the recall remedy for NHTSA Safety Recall 24V-608 was completed. It is available for inspection upon request. Recall 24V-608 addresses fluid intrusion into ...
I replaced an Electric Auxillary Heater on my vehicle in 2024 part that was subsequently offered an warranty extension on 8/1/2025 by BMW in Service bulletin SIB 01 10 25. The bulletin had a provision for customer reimbursement of repairs and they are refusing to honor my claim. I think they should be forced to place this part into a recall by NHTSA. These vehicles are lemons. A High Voltage A...
Driving the vehicle a short distance, I can smell oil burning after the car is stopped. I have had to put oil in the car twice because the warning light came on suggesting that a quart of oil is needed. The vehicle has less than 122,000 miles. Also, the car idles a lot before I put it in gear. I was told at the last oil change that I need spark plugs. The battery and tires were replaced by a BMW d...
I am writing to formally report an issue with my vehicle involving a persistent parking brake malfunction. The yellow parking brake indicator light remains on and will not reset. After researching the issue, I’ve found that this is a common problem among other vehicle owners of the same make and model. The malfunction appears to be related either to a faulty sensor or the entire parking brake mod...
On July 9, while accelerating on a busy freeway during rush hour, the car stalled in the middle lane and was unable to be driven off to the side. I called 911 and a tow truck came to tow the vehicle. The problem was diagnosed by BMW as the high pressure fuel pump, which was determined to have blown out and sent metal into the entire fuel system - with a repair estimate of $26k. The high pressure f...
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failur...
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. After restarting the vehicle, the contact observed white smoke and embers coming from the EGR cooler and intake manifold. No warning lights were illuminated. The veh...
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failur...
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue...
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet ava...
BMW issued a recall in October 2024 regarding the engine coolant pump electrical connector on my 2018 BMW X5 xDrive40e, warning of electrical shorts and fire risks. It's now late March 2025—approximately six later—and BMW dealerships still state explicitly they have no available remedy and no timeline for repair. Recently, my vehicle showed a drivetrain warning message, which I suspect is recall-r...
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 vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and i...
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated that a low coolant message was displayed on the instrument panel while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was initially taken to a dealer where an oil change was performed, and the contact was informed that there were no other defects found with the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure returned a week after the oil change and the vehic...
The windshield wiper fluid reservoir failed and leaked out all the fluid at 6.5 years/34,000 miles. Without wiper fluid I am unable to clean the windshield which is a visibility safety issue. The car is currently at the dealer waiting for a repair part.
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 warning light to illuminate and the transmission oil coolant heat exchanger to be ...
Driving my BMWX5 on 11/5/2024 on an open road with my dog, I heard an unusual loud thump. Since there were no warning lights before or after the thump, I continued until it was convenient to stop. While I continued, I heard light noises on top of my roof. I did not go under any overpasses. When I stopped and pulled back the cover of my sun roof, I was aghast to see a large gaping hole and total ...
The water pump's electrical plug connector has a safety recall without a current available remedy. The issue causes small drops of liquid from the positive crankcase ventilation system to drip down onto the water pump's electrical connector, which could lead to a short circuit and potential thermal event or fire.
The front driveshaft is known to fail in these vehicles. Mine is very loose and my mechanic advised me to not drive the car anymore until I replace it. When it snaps off, it is known to destroy either the transmission or engine. This needs to be recalled by BMW.
Visibility issues are becoming more significant when the sun reflects from the dashboard onto the windshield. The black leather dashboard is separating along the base of the windshield revealing a white under side. This white reflects the sun and creates artifacts on the windshield visible in the drivers field of view. At the leather separates more and more, the distraction is getting worse and w...
EME (ELECTRONIC MOTOR ELECT.) The vehicle is already at the service department of BMW in Puerto Rico. According to them, there was an EME failure. The warranty says the electrical system is covered under a warranty of 8 years or 60,000 miles. Neither of them has passed. The service department says the warranty is on the main battery, but the EME is part of the electrical system. They want to charg...
Showing 20 of 63 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2018 Bmw X5
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Opened 2023-03-17
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...
Component: Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Opened 2021-09-17
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 20...
Component: Electrical System:Propulsion System
Opened 2023-01-27 · Closed 2023-08-07
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-spe...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Bmw X5
Has the 2018 BMW X5 been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 BMW X5 has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 BMW X5 have?
The 2018 BMW X5 has 63 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 1 involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 BMW X5?
The 2018 BMW X5 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 BMW X5?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 BMW X5 involve unknown or other (6 complaints), fuel system, diesel (5 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints). Other affected components include fuel/propulsion system, engine and engine cooling,electrical system, engine and engine cooling.
How many crash reports does the 2018 BMW X5 have?
There are 1 crash reports associated with the 2018 BMW X5 out of 63 total complaints (1.6% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 BMW X5 have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2018 BMW X5 out of 63 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 BMW X5?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 BMW X5.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 BMW X5?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 BMW X5.
Should I buy a 2018 BMW X5?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 BMW X5 is acceptable with caveats. It has 63 complaints, 5 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 BMW X5?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 BMW X5 are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6 complaints), 2. FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL (5 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4 complaints), 4. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (4 complaints), 5. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 6 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 BMW X5?
Be cautious of engine and engine cooling issues, as they can lead to sudden loss of power and potential engine damage. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2018 BMW X5 has 63 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 BMW X5?
The 2018 BMW X5 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 63 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System and Fuel System, Diesel.
What are the known issues with the 2018 BMW X5?
Known issues with the 2018 BMW X5 include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System, Fuel System, Diesel, Suspension, Front, Windshield Wiper Fluid Reservoir. These are based on patterns found across 63 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2018 BMW X5?
The most common issues include engine and engine cooling problems and fuel system issues, particularly with diesel fuel pumps.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 BMW X5?
Yes, there are recalls for engine and engine cooling, electrical system issues, and diesel fuel pump failures.
What should I do if I experience engine cooling issues?
If you experience engine cooling issues, have your vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic immediately.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine and engine cooling issues, as they can lead to sudden loss of power and potential engine damage. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Bmw X5
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Bmw X5. The data includes 63 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Bmw X5 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13