Every 2018 BMW X3 recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Structure · NHTSA 24V764000
Oct 15, 2024Structure
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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. Vehicles in this recall were previously remedied for this issue under recall number 24V-534 and will need to have the new repair completed.
Full recall details for 24V764000 →Structure · NHTSA 24V534000
Jul 17, 2024Structure
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 24V534000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 21V521000
Aug 7, 2021Air Bags:Frontal
- Problem
- 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. The front passenger seat occupant classification system may have been improperly assembled, which could result in the misclassification of the seat as unoccupied, and deactivate the front air bag.
- Risk
- A deactivated front air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 21V521000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 20V152000
Mar 18, 2020Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag could damage the instrument panel and cause small pieces of the panel to strike the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V152000 →Back Over Prevention · NHTSA 19V684000
Sep 27, 2019Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
- Problem
- 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, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles.
The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
- Risk
- The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Full recall details for 19V684000 →Seats · NHTSA 19V563000
Jul 31, 2019Seats
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 X3 sDrive30i, xDrive30i and M40i and 2019 X4 xDrive30i and M40i vehicles. The front seatback frames may have been improperly welded, allowing the seatback to unexpectedly fold forward or rearward.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury if the seatback folds forward or rearward.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 19V563000 →Structure · NHTSA 18V154000
Jul 3, 2018Structure:Body
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- If the spoiler detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V154000 →Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 18V431000
Jun 21, 2018Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
- Problem
- 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Turn signals that flash multiple colors may confuse other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V431000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 18V453000
Jun 7, 2018Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
- Problem
- 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. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
- Risk
- A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V453000 →Lane Departure · NHTSA 18V374000
Jun 6, 2018Lane Departure: Lane Keep: Steering Assist
- Problem
- 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. The steering wheel may be incompatible with the lane keeping assistant function and may not detect if the driver's hands are off the wheel.
- Risk
- If the sensors do not properly detect the driver's hands are off the wheel, the driver may not be alerted by one or more warning signals, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V374000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 17V719000
Nov 15, 2017Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive, M2, and X3 xDrive 30i SAV vehicles. These vehicles may have an error in the software for the instrument panel, causing the display to not properly illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."
- Risk
- If the display does not illuminate during start up or does not illuminate various control and warning symbols while driving, it can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 17V719000 →
2018 BMW X3 complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 76 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW X3, reporting 4 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries. BMW has issued at least 389 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Electrical System22
- Engine16
- Unknown Or Other12
- Structure9
- Steering7
- Exterior Lighting6
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (140)
- Equipment (125)
- Visibility (35)
- Structure (32)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (30)
- Engine (27)
Read BMW X3 owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 76 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW X3. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“I was driving car on clear roadway and received a warning to go to service. I smelled burning and saw smoke coming from front hood. Got onto shoulder, got out of car and flames started - falling to ground first and then entire engine was consumed.”
2018 BMW X3Dec 3, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11628538
Fire
“January 15, 2021 our BMW burned to the ground. I had just picked it up after an oil change at the dealership. Only the second oil change and the SUV had less than 17,000 miles. My safety was certainly at risk as I was stopped at a red light when the engine started smoking.”
2018 BMW X3Aug 22, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11610210
Crash
“I WAS PARKING WHEN I TOTALLY LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. I COULD NOT STEER IT AND I COULD NOT BREAK. I WENT LEFT WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE BUT I HAD NO BRAKES. I ATTEMPTED TO GO STRAIGHT AND HIT ONE PARKED CAR. THEN I WENT RIGHT AND DAMAGED ANOTHER CAR THEN THE CAR HIT A 3 CAR.”
2018 BMW X3Dec 22, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11290747
Crash
“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.”
2018 BMW X3Apr 19, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11202592
Crash
“TRAVELING EAST BOUND THROUGH AN ALLEY IN ORDER TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO A SOUTH-NORTH RUNNING CITY STREET. BRAKE WAS FIRST APPLIED APPROXIMATELY TWO-CAR LENGTH (DISTANCE WISE) BEFORE THE INTERSECTION. I NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS ACTING FUNNY: INSTEAD OF SLOWLY COMING TO A STOP, IT PICKED UP SPEED.”
2018 BMW X3Jan 5, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11165428
Check your X3 by VIN
Not every 2018 BMW X3 is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any BMW dealer.
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