2018 Bmw X3: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11071958 at NHTSA ↗

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 AS IT PASSES INTO YOUR BLIND SPOT OR WHEN AMPLE SPACE IN AVAILABLE TO RETURN TO THE RIGHT LANE AFTER PASSING. ALSO IF A VEHICULE APPROACHES FROM BEHIND ON YOUR PASSENGER SIDE YOU ARE NOT AWARE IT'S IN YOUR BIND SPOT. MY DEALER IN CHARLOTTESVILLE VA. …

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 11096725 at NHTSA ↗

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, [phone removed]) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,900.

Owner-reported narrative. 5,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11119677 at NHTSA ↗

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?

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11139914 at NHTSA ↗

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 WIRELESS PHONE CHARGER. FOR MY VEHICLE, IT DOES NOT NOTIFY WHILE BLUE TOOTH CONNECTED WHEN NEW TEXT COMES. I COMPLAINED TO BMW NORTH AMERICA. THEY ADMITTED THAT IT WAS A FIRMWARE BUG, BUT DID NOT COMMIT TO UPDATE FIRMWARE TO FIX THE THE BUG. THIS BUG CO…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11140153 at NHTSA ↗

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 4WD MODE. ADDITIONALLY, IT FURTHER STATES AIRBAG FUNCTIONALITY IS LIMITED, AND CRASH AVOIDANCE IS UNAVAILABLE, BUT THAT DRIVING IS STILL POSSIBLE! WHAT'S DISTURBING IS THAT I DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHER LATE MODEL BMW OWNERS ARE REPORTING THIS SAME I…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11150446 at NHTSA ↗

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 IN THE DARK SINCE THE HEADLIGHTS COULD NOT SHINE THROUGH THE ICE. AS FOR THE DISTANCE SENSORS, I GUESS THAT IS A DESIGH FLAW AS A FUNCTION OF HOW SNOW PASSES OVER THE SENSORS. I BELIEVE THAT THE LED HEADLIGHTS DO NOT GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT TO PREV…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11153096 at NHTSA ↗

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. I FELT AS IF SOMETHING WAS DISENGAGED AND THE CAR WAS FLYING OFF WITHOUT GRAVITY. I HIT THE BRAKE AGAIN AS THE CAR WAS DASHING INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL. AT THAT MOMENT A …

Owner-reported narrative. 4,463 miles reported. Look up ODI 11165428 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-11-15 (November 15, 2017)

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."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2018-03-07 (March 7, 2018)

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.

Consequence: If the spoiler detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2018-06-06 (June 6, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2018-06-21 (June 21, 2018)

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."

Consequence: Turn signals that flash multiple colors may confuse other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2018-07-06 (July 6, 2018)

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.

Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2019-07-31 (July 31, 2019)

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.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury if the seatback folds forward or rearward.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2019-09-27 (September 27, 2019)

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."

Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2020-03-18 (March 18, 2020)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2021-07-08 (July 8, 2021)

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.

Consequence: A deactivated front air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2024-07-17 (July 17, 2024)

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.

Consequence: Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2024-10-15 (October 15, 2024)

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.

Consequence: Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.