2018 BMW X5
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 20 of 71 complaints (28%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 73 in 2017 to 71 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 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,250–4,550 | 3,250–4,550 | 3,250–4,850 | 3,500–4,100 | 3,350–5,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–25 | 17–25 | 16–25 | 19–22 | 15–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–23 / 21–29 | 15–23 / 21–29 | 14–23 / 19–29 | 17–20 / 22–26 | 13–21 / 18–26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 401–515 | 401–515 | 401–549 | 394–472 | 390–582 | |
| Complaints filed | 73 | 73 | 71 | 184 | 108 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 11 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
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 X5 have?
5 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 X5?
Engine: 20 of 71 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 BMW X5 get?
EPA rates it 16–25 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 BMW X5?
EPA estimates $3,250–$4,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 18 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 426 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 23 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $3,600 | 401 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 434 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $4,850 (high) | 549 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S8) | 8 | 4.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 17 mpg | $4,550 | 517 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium and Electricity | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 23 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,250 (low) | 248 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 11 | 0 | 1 | 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 (5)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES · Campaign 24V608000 · Aug 14, 2024
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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 · Jul 30, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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 · Sep 26, 2018
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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 · Jul 2, 2018
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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 · Nov 21, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.