Are there open safety recalls?
5 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2018 BMW X5 has 5 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 67 owner complaints, and gets about 20 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2018 BMW X5
- Engine 6-cyl 3L
- Drive All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Premium
- Body Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
1 fire report
Out of 67 owner reports on file.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2018.
- 20165recalls
- 20176recalls
- 2018 · this car5recalls
- 201913recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 2, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane-departure warning
- Optional
Tested as: 2018 BMW X5 SUV AWD · 2 versions tested
Open safety recalls
5 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
-
Equipment
20/09/2018
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.
How they fix it: 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.
-
Suspension
28/06/2018
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.
How they fix it: 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.
-
Fuel System, Diesel
29/07/2021
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.
How they fix it: 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.
-
Suspension
17/11/2017
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.
How they fix it: 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.
-
Engine And Engine Cooling
13/08/2024
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.
How they fix it: 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 2, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2018.
- 201670reports
- 201773reports
- 2018 · this car67reports
- 2019179reports
67 owner reports on file
1 crash mentions 1 fire mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 67 total reports.
- POWER TRAIN 9 of 67
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
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9 of 67
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 mil
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9 of 67
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 man
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 of 67
On March 9, 2026, I brought the vehicle to BMW of Fairfax for a scheduled appointment. In the week leading up to the visit, the vehicle intermittently failed to start and required jump-starting using a portable battery starter. Despite th
- SUSPENSION 6 of 67
The attaching nut and bolt holding the left suspension to the rear subframe worked itself lose. The nut had completely fallen off. The corresponding bolt was merely hanging on but was about to fall off too. The vehicle was behaving weirdly
- FUEL SYSTEM 6 of 67
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
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 2, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Showing
Figures below are for the xDrive35i version.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2018.
- 201616mpg
- 201716mpg
- 2018 · this car20mpg
- 201922mpg
$3,800
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 18 mpg
Highway driving 24 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 20 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $8,000 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 2, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
6-cyl 3L
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S8)
Fuel
Premium
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 6-cyl 3L
- Cylinders
- 6
- Displacement
- 3 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S8)
- Body
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Fuel
- Premium
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 2, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 5 open NHTSA recalls (including the equipment). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
-
Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
-
Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2018 BMW X5 listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2018 BMW X5? +
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2018 BMW X5, including the equipment. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2018 BMW X5 get? +
The EPA rates the 2018 BMW X5 at 20 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), about $3,800 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2018 BMW X5? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2018 BMW X5 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2018 BMW X5? +
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 BMW X5, including 1 involving a crash. The most-reported area is power train.
FREE IN THE APP
Comparing a few cars? Save the 2018 BMW X5 and line it up against the others in the app.
No account. Saving and comparing cars is free.
FREE ON iOS
Shopping for a 2018 BMW X5?
Scan any VIN with your camera, save cars you’re comparing, and browse listings near you. All free. Same NHTSA and EPA data you see here, plus a camera-first VIN scanner.