2018 BMW M
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 12 of 48 complaints (25%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 23 in 2017 to 48 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,500–4,850 | 3,500–4,850 | 3,500–4,850 | 3,250–4,850 | 3,100–4,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 16–22 | 16–22 | 16–22 | 16–24 | 16–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 14–20 / 19–26 | 14–20 / 19–26 | 14–20 / 20–26 | 14–21 / 20–30 | 13–22 / 20–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 394–553 | 395–553 | 395–553 | 367–553 | 353–570 | |
| Complaints filed | 45 | 23 | 48 | 8 | 59 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 15 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 8 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 23 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 BMW M have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 BMW M?
Airbags & Restraints: 12 of 48 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 BMW M get?
EPA rates it 16–22 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 BMW M?
EPA estimates $3,500–$4,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (16)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 450 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 16 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 481 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 4.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 15 mpg | 22 mpg | 17 mpg | $4,550 | 522 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 8 | 4.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 14 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $4,850 (high) | 553 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 439 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 450 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 4.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 15 mpg | 22 mpg | 17 mpg | $4,550 | 522 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 8 | 4.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 14 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $4,850 (high) | 553 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg | 25 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 454 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 439 g/mi |
| Configuration 13 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 430 g/mi |
| Configuration 14 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $3,500 (low) | 395 g/mi (low) |
Show 4 more configurations
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 11 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 450 g/mi |
| Configuration 12 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 450 g/mi |
| Configuration 15 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 17 mpg | $4,550 | 521 g/mi |
| Configuration 16 | Automatic (AM-S7) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 16 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 481 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS · Campaign 20V094000 · Feb 20, 2020
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2019 M6 Gran Coupe vehicles. The third brake light may become loose, possibly allowing the light to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: If the third brake light detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third brake light and properly secure it with new fasteners. If the third brake light detached from the vehicle and is damaged, it will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 19V684000 · Sep 30, 2019
Defect: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · Campaign 18V473000 · Jul 20, 2018
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW M5 vehicles. The fuel level sensor in the fuel tank may become stuck against an in-tank fuel line, causing the fuel gauge to display an inaccurate and possibly larger amount of fuel than is actually available.
Consequence: An incorrect fuel reading may lead to the vehicle stalling and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will secure the in-tank fuel line to keep the fuel line from contacting the fuel level sensor, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 18V323000 · May 21, 2018
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW M5 vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the engine control unit software may cause the fuel pump to stop.
Consequence: If the fuel pump stops, the vehicle will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · Campaign 17V719000 · Nov 17, 2017
Defect: 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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT · Campaign 17V507000 · Aug 17, 2017
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, and M4 convertible vehicles. The Emergency Locking Retractors (ELR) within the front seat belt assemblies may have been produced with incompatible vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism housings.
Consequence: If the vehicle has an incompatible vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism, the seat belt may not restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary replace, the front seat belt assemblies, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.