2018 Bmw X3

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Bmw X3 has 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2018 bmw x3. the contact stated that the speedometer displayed the incorrect speed. the dealer (gault auto sport bmw, 2311 north st, endicott, ny 13760, (607) 748-9875) informed the contact that there was no remedy for the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacture. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 7 crash reports 4 injuries

102

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

20 complaints

20%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT SPEED. THE DEALER (GAULT AUTO SPORT BMW, 2311 NORTH ST, ENDICOTT, NY 13760, (607) 748-9875) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE
• AS I WAS MAKING A 10 MINUTE DRIVE, ON A HIGHWAY ABOUT 30 MINUTES BEFORE DARK, IT JUST STARTED TO SNOW. SUDDENLY ALL OF THE FRONT SENSORS STARTED TO FLASH "TROUBLE" ON THE DASH. I CHECKED THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND ICE HAD FORMED OVER THE SENSORS AND HEADLIGHTS. THAT RENDERED THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW X3. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE REARVIEW CAMERA SPONTANEOUSLY BLACKED OUT INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ADVANTAGE BMW CLEAR LAKE (400 GULF FWY S, LEAGUE CITY, TX 77573, (281) 557-7000) WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT TH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT SPEED. THE DEALER (GAULT AUTO SPORT BMW, 2311 NORTH ST, ENDICOTT, NY 13760, (607) 748-9875) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

19 complaints

19%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 80 MPH, THE COOLANT LEVEL LOW, DRIVE AT A MODERATE SPEED WARNING MESSAGE HAD APPEARED ON HER INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT A MODERATE SPEED AS ADVISED, SOON AFTER, THE PULL OV
• * Components: Per dealership, Heat exchanger (metal) and oil filter housing (plastic), oil filter housing supports the heat exchanger, vehicle inspected by dealership and available for further inspection. *Vehicle unexpectedly overheated while driving on interstate risking the safety of driver/pa
• 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.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 80 MPH, THE COOLANT LEVEL LOW, DRIVE AT A MODERATE SPEED WARNING MESSAGE HAD APPEARED ON HER INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT A MODERATE SPEED AS ADVISED, SOON AFTER, THE PULL OV”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

12 complaints

12%

• THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND WHEN I TRIED TO STOP BECAUSE THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. MY CAR HAD A BRAKE FAILURE AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ABS AND/OR THE COLLUSION DETERRENT SYSTEM ENGAGED TO AVOID THIS ACCIDENT.
• THE BLIND SPOT DETECTION DOES NOT WORK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN PASSING A VEHICULE THAT IS IN THE RIGHT LANE THE DETECTION LIGHT IN THE PASSENGER MIRROR ONLY COMES ON ABOUT 30-40 % OF THE TIME. EVEN WHEN PASSING A LARGE TRUCK. THIS MEANS YOU DO NOT HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCATION OF A VEHICULE A
• THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH BLUE TOOTH, THUS IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE HAND-FREE TO HANDLE SMARTPHONE CALL OR TEXT WHILE DRIVING. THIS BLUE TOOTH WORKED PROPERLY FOR PREVIOUS YEARS MODELS, AND EVEN 2018 SAME MODEL BUT WITH THE OPTION BEING SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN MINE, SUCH AS, THE ONE EQUIPPED WITH WIR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND WHEN I TRIED TO STOP BECAUSE THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. MY CAR HAD A BRAKE FAILURE AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ABS AND/OR THE COLLUSION DETERRENT SYSTEM ENGAGED TO AVOID THIS ACCIDENT.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

8 complaints

• UNCOMMANDED OPENING OF THE REAR HATCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON MD ROUTE 29 NEAR THE ROUTE 175 INTERSECTION. THE SECOND WAS ON GOSHEN VIEW DR GAITHERSBURG MD. THE THIRD AND FOURTH WERE ON GOSHEN RD, GAITHERSBURG MD.
• THE VEHICLE'S REAR LIFTGATE HAS OPENED RANDOMLY SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT NOTICE OR WITHOUT INPUT FROM THE USER. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE REAR LIFTGATE OPENED SUDDENLY. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT WAS A BUSY PARKING LOT AND OUR DOG WAS IN THE CAR AND BEGAN TO JUMP
• I am writing to report a potential safety problem with my 2018 BMW X3, VIN: (provide VIN here if available), that was purchased in May 2018 and has covered 36,000 miles since then. The vehicle has always been garaged and well-maintained. A few weeks ago, I experienced a critical malfunction with th

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“UNCOMMANDED OPENING OF THE REAR HATCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON MD ROUTE 29 NEAR THE ROUTE 175 INTERSECTION. THE SECOND WAS ON GOSHEN VIEW DR GAITHERSBURG MD. THE THIRD AND FOURTH WERE ON GOSHEN RD, GAITHERSBURG MD.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

7 complaints

• AT BETWEEN 52 MPH AND SAY 60 MPH STEERING WHEEL BUZZES AND SHAKES. SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING WITH LANE DEPART SYSTEM EVEN WHEN SHUT OFF. EXCESSIVE FRONT PASS TIRE WEAR ALSO. NO FIX FROM DEALER YET?
• 2018 BMW X3 M40I: UPON START UP THE VEHICLE DISPLAYS A WARNING 'SEATBELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.' THE CAR THE ENTERS A LIMP MODE AND SAYS TO DRIVE TO THE NEAREST BMW SERVICE CENTER AND THAT SOME SAFETY FEATURES ARE UNAVAILABLE. POWER ASSIST STEERING NO LONGER WORKS, AND THE VEHICLE DEFAULTS TO
• BMW 2018 X3 STEERING WHEEL ***WENT OUT OF CONTROL*** FOR UNKNOWN REASON AND TOOK OVER MY DRIVING ON HWY 84 WHEN I WAS GOING ABOUT 62 MILES, IT GEARED TO LEFT ON ITS OWN. THE CAR EVENTUALLY HIT CENTER DIVIDER DURING THE COURSE OF TRYING TO AVOID OTHERWISE POSSIBLY SEVERE COLLISION. X3 ENTIRE LEFT SI

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“AT BETWEEN 52 MPH AND SAY 60 MPH STEERING WHEEL BUZZES AND SHAKES. SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING WITH LANE DEPART SYSTEM EVEN WHEN SHUT OFF. EXCESSIVE FRONT PASS TIRE WEAR ALSO. NO FIX FROM DEALER YET?”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 102 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT SPEED. THE DEALER (GAULT AUTO SPORT BMW, 2311 NORTH ST, ENDICOTT, NY 13760, (607) 748-9875) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 80 MPH, THE COOLANT LEVEL LOW, DRIVE AT A MODERATE SPEED WARNING MESSAGE HAD APPEARED ON HER INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT A MODERATE SPEED AS ADVISED, SOON AFTER, THE PULL OV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND WHEN I TRIED TO STOP BECAUSE THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. MY CAR HAD A BRAKE FAILURE AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ABS AND/OR THE COLLUSION DETERRENT SYSTEM ENGAGED TO AVOID THIS ACCIDENT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: UNCOMMANDED OPENING OF THE REAR HATCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON MD ROUTE 29 NEAR THE ROUTE 175 INTERSECTION. THE SECOND WAS ON GOSHEN VIEW DR GAITHERSBURG MD. THE THIRD AND FOURTH WERE ON GOSHEN RD, GAITHERSBURG MD.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)