Far fewer FallingNHTSA has received 72 owner complaints about the 2018 BMW X5, or 8.2 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.20, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #14 of 76 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other BMW models its rate is 31% lower; against other Luxury SUVs it is 42% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-09-07 and 2026-09-18. Median delay from incident to filing: 10 days.
72Complaints
8.2Complaints per year on the road
0.2Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
5Recalls
5.6%Share involving a crash or fire
11Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 24.5 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 9 complaints, 90% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (27.8% of complaints), followed by Fuel system (16.7%) and Electrical (11.1%). 4 reports (5.6%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 3 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 71 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (62% of incidents). In the last 12 months 11 new complaints were filed, versus 16 in the 12 months before — down 31%.
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for this model year. 3 NHTSA investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “High pressure fuel pump failure” (engineering analysis, opened 2023-03-17, still open).
Safety recalls (5)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP Campaign 24V608000 · 2024-08-13
Summary: 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.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Campaign 21V586000 · 2021-07-29
Summary: 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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL Campaign 18V652000 · 2018-09-20
Summary: 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.
Risk: An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death.
Remedy: 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:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM Campaign 18V439000 · 2018-06-28
Summary: 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.
Risk: If the lower control arm breaks, vehicle handling and control can be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
SUSPENSION Campaign 17V727000 · 2017-11-17
Summary: 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.
Risk: Loose bolts can affect the performance of the suspension, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
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