2018 BMW 3 Series problems and complaints
Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW 3 Series. The most-reported areas: Engine (19), Electrical System (15), Fuel/Propulsion System (10).
Key takeaways
- 60 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 5 involve a crash, 4 a fire, 4 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 19 | 32% |
| Electrical System | 15 | 25% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 | 17% |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 | 13% |
| Fuel System | 7 | 12% |
| Diesel | 6 | 10% |
| Power Train | 5 | 8% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 7% |
| Air Bags | 3 | 5% |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 5% |
| Steering | 2 | 3% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 2% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 BMW 3 Series SW AWD | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| 2018 BMW 3 Series 4 DR AWD | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| 2018 BMW 3 Series 4 DR RWD | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Power Train,electrical System,engine - filed 2026-10-14
In October 2024, a "Drivetrain Malfunction" warning appeared on the dashboard (first noticed around October 8, 2024). The vehicle switched into hybrid mode and would no longer return to electric mode. Shortly after, the engine would not start at all. Mileage was approximately 46,400 miles. An authorized BMW dealer ins...
Electrical System - filed 2026-08-12
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 330E. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated, and the vehicle became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The message "Drivetrain - Check Soon" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engin...
Electrical System - filed 2025-08-02
While driving on the highway, my vehicle unexpectedly caught fire due to no fault of my own. Upon investigation, it appears the fire originated from a short in the rear window defroster wiring, which led to significant damage in the right rear C-pillar area, headliner, rear window, and rear deck. This event was not onl...
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More for the 2018 BMW 3 Series
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.