The Lemon IndexAll cars · BMW 3 Series · 2018
2018 BMW 3 Series. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 5
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | RWD | 17 / 25 / 20 | Premium | $3,850 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Auto (AM-S7) | RWD | 16 / 22 / 19 | Premium | $4,050 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Auto (S8) | AWD | 16 / 25 / 19 | Premium | $4,050 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | RWD | 15 / 22 / 17 | Premium | $4,550 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Auto (AM-S7) | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 | Premium | $4,850 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 7,800 and 57,600 miles. Median 20,000, from 29 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 20,500 | 6,100–41,100 | 6 |
| Electrical | 13,200 | 9,000–99,400 | 7 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 23% |
| Electrical | 18% |
| Fuel system, diesel | 18% |
| Speed control | 14% |
| Fuel or ev drive system | 9% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 13 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 1
18V465000 Jul 2018 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine
Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BMW expanded the recall to a total of 5,309 vehicles including certain 2018-2019 BMW 540d xDrive, 230i M240i, M240i xDrive, X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 330i, 330i xDrive, 340i, 340i xDrive, 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 530e, 530e xDrive
Risk. A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | High pressure fuel pump failure | 2023 | – |
| Open | Desiccated air bag inflator rupture | 2021 | – |
Manufacturer communications 121
BMW filed 121 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- BUZZING NOISE FROM VALVETRONIC MOTOR BEFORE OR AFTER ENGINE OPERATION: Buzzing noise may be heard
- SOS MALFUNCTION DISPLAYED This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 1) replaces SI B84 04 16…
- Ccm displayed "increased battery drain" caused by controller
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 3 Series SW AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| BMW 3 Series 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| BMW 3 Series 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| BMW 3 Series GT 5 HB AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Optional | Optional |
YouTube repair topics
87 videos about the 2012–2018 BMW 3 Series (F30), 33.5M views.
| Topic | Videos | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Timing chain & engine | 6 | 2.3M |
| Brakes & ABS | 8 | 1.6M |
| Oil changes & service | 4 | 1.4M |
| No-start: theft light, key & ignition | 2 | 1.2M |
| Gauges, lights & wiring | 4 | 819K |
| Oil leaks & gaskets | 3 | 608K |
| Transmission & shifter | 1 | 457K |
| Windows, doors & mirrors | 1 | 240K |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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