Buying a used 2018 BMW X5? Check these 5 recalls first
The 2018 X5 has five recalls, three of them serious: a front suspension arm that may break, a water pump that can short-circuit and cause a fire, and — on plug-in models — a portable charging cord with shock and fire risk. Also recalled are loose front suspension bolts and, on diesels, a high-pressure fuel pump that can fail and stall the engine. NHTSA lists 71 owner complaints — unverified — with 1 fire and 3 injuries, led by electrical (14), engine (11) and fuel/propulsion (11).
Before you buy
- Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
- Establish whether it is a diesel or plug-in hybrid, since two recalls apply only to those versions.
- Have the front suspension arms and mounting bolts inspected before purchase.
- Ask whether the water pump recall was done and whether any charging cord was replaced.
- Open recalls are repaired free at any BMW dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.
Recalls covering the 2018 BMW X5
| Recall | Area | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| BMW X5 and X6 front suspension arm may break | Suspension | critical |
| BMW plug-in models: portable charging cord shock and fire risk | Equipment | critical |
| BMW X4, X5 and others: water pump short-circuit fire risk | Engine And Engine Cooling | critical |
| BMW X5 and X6 front suspension bolts may be loose | Suspension | high |
| BMW Diesel High-Pressure Fuel Pump Can Fail, Stalling Engine | Fuel System, Diesel | high |
What owners have reported to NHTSA
71 complaints filed for this model year, including 2 mentioning a crash, 1 a fire and 3 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.
| Problem area | Complaints | Recall in this area? |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 20 | Yes |
| Fuel System | 18 | Yes |
| Electrical System | 14 | Yes |
| Power Train | 10 | None found |
| Suspension | 6 | Yes |