Owners have filed 19 complaints
about the 2018 BMW X4 with NHTSA between 2022 and 2025.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 50
Against the median year of the BMW X4. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
26.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2018 BMW X4
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
842.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 75,000 mi
Electrical System
736.8%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 75,000 mi
Other & Unspecified
210.5%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Brakes
15.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 100,000 mi
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 2022peak 4Dec 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2018 BMW X4
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
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 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Recalls on the 2018 BMW X4
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2024544587,250 units in Canada
Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: This error does not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. The company has corrected the tire and loading information label for all new vehicles.
Recall 202446878,381 units in Canada
Engine
Issue: On certain vehicles, fluid from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system could leak on the intake air hose. As a result, the fluid could enter the electrical connector for the water pump and cause a short circuit. Safety Risk: A short circuit can create the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, BMW advises you to park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs are completed. BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the water pump and electrical connector. The dealer will also install a shield on the connector.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Statham, GAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We heard a whining sound under the hood on November 1st, 2025. Prior to noticing this noise, there were no warming lamps or messages appearing. Following a short drive we smelled burning in the garage. We did not drive the vehicle the following day and intended to take it to our mechanic on Monday morning, the 3rd. Upon trying to start the car it was dead. We had to have it professionally jumped as standard jumping with our personal jumper cables would not start it. Our mechanic explained both the battery and the water pump would need to be replaced. Upon further examination, he realized that the cable or water pump harness that connects the two had been burned and discovered a recall on thousands of 2017/2018 X4 models. He called us and encouraged us to take it to BMW as he found the recall and assumed they would take care of it. Upon calling our local dealership, they looked up our VIN and said our model was not part of the recall. We proceeded with the repair as we had to have our vehicle. Once those parts were replaced, it was also discovered that the issue caused the entire DME/ECU unit to go bad. Our mechanic then ordered that directly from BMW. Once in he had it reprogrammed and we got the car back. We were without a vehicle for a month. We would ask that you please review this as it's clear, this was the exact issue that has affected thousands of other BMW X4 Models. It is a safety issue as we smelled the burning in our garage and learned later that it could have started a fire either while driving it or in our garage at home. Our VIN should be included in the recall. Upon calling BMW of North America Customer Service, they told us to file a complaint on nhtsa.
NHTSA complaint #11706580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Statham, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We heard a whining sound under the hood on November 1st, 2025. Prior to noticing this noise, there were no warming lamps or messages appearing. Following a short drive we smelled burning in the garage. We did not drive the vehicle the following day and intended to take it to our mechanic on Monday morning, the 3rd. Upon trying to start the car it was dead. We had to have it professionally jumped as standard jumping with our personal jumper cables would not start it. Our mechanic explained both the battery and the water pump would need to be replaced. Upon further examination, he realized that the cable or water pump harness that connects the two had been burned and discovered a recall on thousands of 2017/2018 X4 models. He called us and encouraged us to take it to BMW as he found the recall and assumed they would take care of it. Upon calling our local dealership, they looked up our VIN and said our model was not part of the recall. We proceeded with the repair as we had to have our vehicle. Once those parts were replaced, it was also discovered that the issue caused the entire DME/ECU unit to go bad. Our mechanic then ordered that directly from BMW. Once in he had it reprogrammed and we got the car back. We were without a vehicle for a month. We would ask that you please review this as it's clear, this was the exact issue that has affected thousands of other BMW X4 Models. It is a safety issue as we smelled the burning in our garage and learned later that it could have started a fire either while driving it or in our garage at home. Our VIN should be included in the recall. Upon calling BMW of North America Customer Service, they told us to file a complaint on nhtsa.
NHTSA complaint #11706580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Statham, GAFire
ENGINE
We heard a whining sound under the hood on November 1st, 2025. Prior to noticing this noise, there were no warming lamps or messages appearing. Following a short drive we smelled burning in the garage. We did not drive the vehicle the following day and intended to take it to our mechanic on Monday morning, the 3rd. Upon trying to start the car it was dead. We had to have it professionally jumped as standard jumping with our personal jumper cables would not start it. Our mechanic explained both the battery and the water pump would need to be replaced. Upon further examination, he realized that the cable or water pump harness that connects the two had been burned and discovered a recall on thousands of 2017/2018 X4 models. He called us and encouraged us to take it to BMW as he found the recall and assumed they would take care of it. Upon calling our local dealership, they looked up our VIN and said our model was not part of the recall. We proceeded with the repair as we had to have our vehicle. Once those parts were replaced, it was also discovered that the issue caused the entire DME/ECU unit to go bad. Our mechanic then ordered that directly from BMW. Once in he had it reprogrammed and we got the car back. We were without a vehicle for a month. We would ask that you please review this as it's clear, this was the exact issue that has affected thousands of other BMW X4 Models. It is a safety issue as we smelled the burning in our garage and learned later that it could have started a fire either while driving it or in our garage at home. Our VIN should be included in the recall. Upon calling BMW of North America Customer Service, they told us to file a complaint on nhtsa.
NHTSA complaint #11706580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kent, WACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
Unknown: Dealership replaced my brakes however they weren’t working properly I reported it 3 times BMW said it was common about 2 weeks later I was involved in a car accident where the brakes failed to respond and I rear ended another car.
NHTSA complaint #11667515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesJacksonville, FLCrash
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X4. The contact stated that when she would stop the vehicle for a traffic signal, the vehicle would independently shift into park (P). The contact stated that the failure had started as an intermittent failure but had gradually become a recurring failure. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been the cause of a recent crash at a traffic signal. The contact's vehicle had slipped into park (P) when the signal light changed to green her vehicle did not move forward and the vehicle behind her crashed into the rear bumper. The contact stated that there was minor damage to the other vehicle's front bumper and no damage to her vehicle, both vehicle's were able to drive away. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer after the first failures, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that she drove the vehicle back to the same dealer following the crash and the dealer diagnosed that the crank position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11534537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Statham, GAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We heard a whining sound under the hood on November 1st, 2025. Prior to noticing this noise, there were no warming lamps or messages appearing. Following a short drive we smelled burning in the garage. We did not drive the vehicle the following day and intended to take it to our mechanic on Monday morning, the 3rd. Upon trying to start the car it was dead. We had to have it professionally jumped as standard jumping with our personal jumper cables would not start it. Our mechanic explained both the battery and the water pump would need to be replaced. Upon further examination, he realized that the cable or water pump harness that connects the two had been burned and discovered a recall on thousands of 2017/2018 X4 models. He called us and encouraged us to take it to BMW as he found the recall and assumed they would take care of it. Upon calling our local dealership, they looked up our VIN and said our model was not part of the recall. We proceeded with the repair as we had to have our vehicle. Once those parts were replaced, it was also discovered that the issue caused the entire DME/ECU unit to go bad. Our mechanic then ordered that directly from BMW. Once in he had it reprogrammed and we got the car back. We were without a vehicle for a month. We would ask that you please review this as it's clear, this was the exact issue that has affected thousands of other BMW X4 Models. It is a safety issue as we smelled the burning in our garage and learned later that it could have started a fire either while driving it or in our garage at home. Our VIN should be included in the recall. Upon calling BMW of North America Customer Service, they told us to file a complaint on nhtsa.
NHTSA complaint #11706580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Statham, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We heard a whining sound under the hood on November 1st, 2025. Prior to noticing this noise, there were no warming lamps or messages appearing. Following a short drive we smelled burning in the garage. We did not drive the vehicle the following day and intended to take it to our mechanic on Monday morning, the 3rd. Upon trying to start the car it was dead. We had to have it professionally jumped as standard jumping with our personal jumper cables would not start it. Our mechanic explained both the battery and the water pump would need to be replaced. Upon further examination, he realized that the cable or water pump harness that connects the two had been burned and discovered a recall on thousands of 2017/2018 X4 models. He called us and encouraged us to take it to BMW as he found the recall and assumed they would take care of it. Upon calling our local dealership, they looked up our VIN and said our model was not part of the recall. We proceeded with the repair as we had to have our vehicle. Once those parts were replaced, it was also discovered that the issue caused the entire DME/ECU unit to go bad. Our mechanic then ordered that directly from BMW. Once in he had it reprogrammed and we got the car back. We were without a vehicle for a month. We would ask that you please review this as it's clear, this was the exact issue that has affected thousands of other BMW X4 Models. It is a safety issue as we smelled the burning in our garage and learned later that it could have started a fire either while driving it or in our garage at home. Our VIN should be included in the recall. Upon calling BMW of North America Customer Service, they told us to file a complaint on nhtsa.
NHTSA complaint #11706580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Statham, GAFire
ENGINE
We heard a whining sound under the hood on November 1st, 2025. Prior to noticing this noise, there were no warming lamps or messages appearing. Following a short drive we smelled burning in the garage. We did not drive the vehicle the following day and intended to take it to our mechanic on Monday morning, the 3rd. Upon trying to start the car it was dead. We had to have it professionally jumped as standard jumping with our personal jumper cables would not start it. Our mechanic explained both the battery and the water pump would need to be replaced. Upon further examination, he realized that the cable or water pump harness that connects the two had been burned and discovered a recall on thousands of 2017/2018 X4 models. He called us and encouraged us to take it to BMW as he found the recall and assumed they would take care of it. Upon calling our local dealership, they looked up our VIN and said our model was not part of the recall. We proceeded with the repair as we had to have our vehicle. Once those parts were replaced, it was also discovered that the issue caused the entire DME/ECU unit to go bad. Our mechanic then ordered that directly from BMW. Once in he had it reprogrammed and we got the car back. We were without a vehicle for a month. We would ask that you please review this as it's clear, this was the exact issue that has affected thousands of other BMW X4 Models. It is a safety issue as we smelled the burning in our garage and learned later that it could have started a fire either while driving it or in our garage at home. Our VIN should be included in the recall. Upon calling BMW of North America Customer Service, they told us to file a complaint on nhtsa.
NHTSA complaint #11706580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peoria, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The water pump was found to have extreme corrosion after several other components on the car were damaged from the coolant leak into the electrical system. The car was suddenly losing power while driving and the DME was smoking, potentially causing an engine fire. So far the water pump, Digital Motor Electronics (DME) and throttle body were replaced over a 15 day period in service. The day the car was picked up, the chassis stabilization light came on and the dealership was receiving codes saying multiple additional electrical systems are now triggering the codes. The car was back at the dealer for service and now they are saying even more systems have been damaged by the leak. There is currently a recall on the water pump for this model and year, although this exact VIN is not included in the recall. Initial overheat warnings came on July 22, 2025 just prior to the car going in the shop although the dealer didn't see that the car was overheating. The fault codes were coming up as electrical. Only the dealer has inspected the car thus far. I content this car should have been included in the recall for the water pump as the description of the recall fits the exact damage to the water pump in my car.
NHTSA complaint #11682608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peoria, AZ
ENGINE
The water pump was found to have extreme corrosion after several other components on the car were damaged from the coolant leak into the electrical system. The car was suddenly losing power while driving and the DME was smoking, potentially causing an engine fire. So far the water pump, Digital Motor Electronics (DME) and throttle body were replaced over a 15 day period in service. The day the car was picked up, the chassis stabilization light came on and the dealership was receiving codes saying multiple additional electrical systems are now triggering the codes. The car was back at the dealer for service and now they are saying even more systems have been damaged by the leak. There is currently a recall on the water pump for this model and year, although this exact VIN is not included in the recall. Initial overheat warnings came on July 22, 2025 just prior to the car going in the shop although the dealer didn't see that the car was overheating. The fault codes were coming up as electrical. Only the dealer has inspected the car thus far. I content this car should have been included in the recall for the water pump as the description of the recall fits the exact damage to the water pump in my car.
NHTSA complaint #11682608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middle Island, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X4. 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 dealer was contacted on several occasions; however, the contact was informed that parts were not available. 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 failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11674611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middle Island, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X4. 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 dealer was contacted on several occasions; however, the contact was informed that parts were not available. 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 failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11674611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kent, WACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
Unknown: Dealership replaced my brakes however they weren’t working properly I reported it 3 times BMW said it was common about 2 weeks later I was involved in a car accident where the brakes failed to respond and I rear ended another car.
NHTSA complaint #11667515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Fe, NM
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Water pump completely failed and no longer working. I had to pull off of road on a busy interstate. Firestone confirmed water pump no longer working. Vehicle is at BMW service center. No warning until vehicle overheated and warning came on.
NHTSA complaint #11664164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesNewark, DE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X4. 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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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 stated that while operating the vehicle there was a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11656823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesNewark, DE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X4. 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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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 stated that while operating the vehicle there was a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11656823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bayonne, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X4. 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 failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11646510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bayonne, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X4. 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 failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11646510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrenceville, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X4. 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 available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11626924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrenceville, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X4. 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 made aware of the issue. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle occasionally failed to move. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11626932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrenceville, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X4. 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 available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11626924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrenceville, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X4. 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 made aware of the issue. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle occasionally failed to move. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11626932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesJacksonville, FLCrash
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X4. The contact stated that when she would stop the vehicle for a traffic signal, the vehicle would independently shift into park (P). The contact stated that the failure had started as an intermittent failure but had gradually become a recurring failure. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been the cause of a recent crash at a traffic signal. The contact's vehicle had slipped into park (P) when the signal light changed to green her vehicle did not move forward and the vehicle behind her crashed into the rear bumper. The contact stated that there was minor damage to the other vehicle's front bumper and no damage to her vehicle, both vehicle's were able to drive away. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer after the first failures, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that she drove the vehicle back to the same dealer following the crash and the dealer diagnosed that the crank position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11534537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kent, WA
ENGINE
I got 2018 bmw x4 and 7year/80000km warranty from the bmw store in vancouver on jun 25,2019.I used to drive to seattle to shopping and eating. I and my husband drived this car from vancouver to edmonton on jun 1,2022. On jun 4,the engine sign and change oil sign all light up . on jun 6 we drived to the bmw edmonton to maintanance.on jun 7 they told me this car eccentric shaft faulty,the car mechanic show us the eccentric shaft already broken ,if i direct drived back to vancouver the engine maybe suddenly shut down or slower down on the highwat.and I must repair car in edmonton and pay total repair fee later back to vancouver to claim the warranty ,i called the bmw store vancouver rep he said ok.that time this car is 64500 km. when I back to the bmw store vancouver to claim this case.they answer me this case is my fault ,i was not done the maintenance for a while, so on july 20 2022 i sued thr bmw store. A trail will be held on oct 12,2022. today i do this complaint i just want to know the reason for eccentric shaft faulty ,what cause this engine problem,it possible make engine suddenly shut down or slower down ,very dangerous ,sometimes somebody will not immediately to change oil. actually i did regular maintance on 45000km,51800km,59000km. just give me a email back before the trail day oct 12,2022 ,thanks a lot.
NHTSA complaint #11487774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.