2018 BMW X5 problems and complaints
Owners have filed 73 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW X5. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (15), Engine (11), Fuel/Propulsion System (11).
Key takeaways
- 73 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 2 involve a crash, 2 a fire, 3 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 15 | 21% |
| Engine | 11 | 15% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 | 15% |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 | 15% |
| Power Train | 10 | 14% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 9 | 12% |
| Fuel System | 7 | 10% |
| Suspension | 6 | 8% |
| Diesel | 6 | 8% |
| Tires | 4 | 5% |
| Air Bags | 4 | 5% |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 | 4% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 BMW X5 SUV AWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2018 BMW X5 SUV RWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Tires - filed 2026-10-14
Four Michelin Latitude Tour HP tires, size 255/50R19, were installed on my 2018 BMW X5 in May 2026. Soon after installation, the vehicle began to feel less directionally stable than before. At highway speed it would sometimes drift or react more strongly than expected to steering input. About two weeks after installati...
Electrical System - filed 2026-09-18
TWO INCIDENTS ACCURED WITH 24HRS. MY WIFE CALLED ME INFORMING THAT THE 2018 X5 WAS SMOKING FROM THE FRONT AND MAKING A WEIRD NOISE, SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. WHEN SHE GOT HOME, I CHECKED THE UNDER THE HOOD, BUT COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING. BUT, CAN SMELL LIKE BURNED WIRING, BUT NOT VISIBLE. I CO...
Visibility/Wiper - filed 2026-09-04
The windshield wiper reservoir leaks fluid. The reservoir has been filled by the dealership and I was informed it is a safety hazard to not have it repaired. After some research, this is a common issue in 2016-2018 BMW X5 models.
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More for the 2018 BMW X5
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.