2018 BMW X3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- M40i 4dr SUV, Xdrive30i 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 248–355 hp
- Transmission
- 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 25 combined · 22 city / 29 hwy
- Length
- 185.4 in
- Curb weight
- 4,151–4,229 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 11 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- 11 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 BMW X3 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 185 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,229 lb (M40i 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 29 highway), 8% better than the 2018 small SUV average of 23.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 11 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 76 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2018
- New body dimensions: 2.3 in longer, wheelbase +2.0 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 X3 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Greer, South Carolina
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2018 X3 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M40i 4dr SUV | 185.4 in | 74.4 in | 66.1 in | 112.6 in | 63 / 63.8 in | 4,229 lb | 50/50 |
| Xdrive30i 4dr SUV | 185.4 in | 74.4 in | 66.1 in | 112.6 in | 63.8 / 64.6 in | 4,151 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X3 xDrive30i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | +8% | $3,300 | 359 |
| X3 M40i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | -1% | $3,550 | 388 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2018 BMW X3.
Similar 2018 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 BMW X3 (this car) | 25 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2018 Porsche Cayenne | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 BMW X5 | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 Lexus RX | 30 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2018 Volvo XC90 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2018 Porsche Macan | 22 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2018 Audi Q5 | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
Recalls (11)
Structure · Oct 15, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V764000 · 8,725 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2022 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the rear cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
- Risk
- Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicles in this recall were previously remedied for this issue under recall number 24V-534 and will need to have the new repair completed.
Structure · Jul 17, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V534000 · 282,387 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2023 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the interior cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
- Risk
- Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Jul 8, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V521000 · 138 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i and 2019 X4 xDrive30i, and X4 M40i vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant classification system may have been improperly assembled, which could result in the misclassification of the seat as unoccupied, and deactivate the front air bag.
- Risk
- A deactivated front air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat foam, which includes the occupant classification system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel · Mar 18, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V152000 · 15 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 X4 xDrive30i and X4 M40i, and 2018-2020 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3M vehicles. The instrument panel casing may not have been tightened properly to the passenger air bag.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag could damage the instrument panel and cause small pieces of the panel to strike the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the instrument panel casing, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Sep 27, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V684000 · 257,473 vehicles
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Seats · Jul 31, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V563000 · 20 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 X3 sDrive30i, xDrive30i and M40i and 2019 X4 xDrive30i and M40i vehicles. The front seatback frames may have been improperly welded, allowing the seatback to unexpectedly fold forward or rearward.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury if the seatback folds forward or rearward.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seats, free of charge. The recall began September 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper · Jul 6, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V453000 · 5,594 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i and certain 2019 X4 xDrive30i and X4 M40i vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
- Risk
- A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the rear brake circuit, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal · Jun 21, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V431000 · 5 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i and X3 M40i vehicles. The rear turn signals on the outboard side panel will illuminate red, while the inboard turn signals simultaneously illuminate amber. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Turn signals that flash multiple colors may confuse other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear turn signal lights, and replace if necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Lane Departure › Lane Keep › Steering Assist · Jun 6, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V374000 · 51 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i, X3 sDrive30i, and X3 M40i vehicles equipped with the "Active Lane Keeping Assistant" option. The steering wheel may be incompatible with the lane keeping assistant function and may not detect if the driver's hands are off the wheel.
- Risk
- If the sensors do not properly detect the driver's hands are off the wheel, the driver may not be alerted by one or more warning signals, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on July 19, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Structure › Body · Mar 7, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V154000 · 17,008 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i and X3 M40i vehicles. The rear spoiler may not have been properly attached during assembly, or may be missing screws, possibly causing the spoiler to detach while driving.
- Risk
- If the spoiler detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spoiler, correcting its attachment as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 1, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel · Nov 15, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V719000 · 3,188 vehicles
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2018 BMW X3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 BMW X3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 11 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 22 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 16 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Steering — 7 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 15,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 BMW X3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other X3 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 X3 | 29 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 22 |
| 2025 X3 | 29 | 187.4 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 38 |
| 2024 X3 | 25 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 42 |
| 2023 X3 | 25 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 15 |
| 2022 X3 | 25 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 84 |
| 2021 X3 | 27 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 113 |
| 2020 X3 | 27 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 16 | 110 |
| 2019 X3 | 26 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 171 |
| 2017 X3 | 24 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 6 | 92 |
| 2016 X3 | 30 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 5 | 82 |
| 2015 X3 | 30 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 7 | 104 |
| 2014 X3 | 24 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 6 | 83 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →