2018 BMW X3: reliability, problems and cost to own
FairAbout average
It scores 41 out of 100 for reliability compared with other luxury cars and SUVs. Over the next 5 years we expect it to cost about $18,881 to own, including $5,899 in repairs.
Early estimate: this rating uses our own sales estimate for the BMW X3.
These are estimates, not guarantees. They come from public NHTSA complaint and recall data and EPA fuel economy, assuming 5 years of ownership and 12,000 miles a year. Change the assumptions or see how it works.
Where repair money is likely to go
Engine & cooling$3,397
Transmission & drivetrain$630
Body, glass & interior$580
Electrical system$531
Driver-assist & stability$235
Steering$149
Expected over 5 years, by area of the car.
Recalls
StructureOct 15, 2024 · campaign 24V764000
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.
StructureJul 17, 2024 · campaign 24V534000
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.
Air Bags › FrontalJul 8, 2021 · campaign 21V521000
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.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/PanelMar 18, 2020 · campaign 20V152000
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.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › CameraSep 28, 2019 · campaign 19V684000
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 M50
SeatsJul 31, 2019 · campaign 19V563000
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › CaliperJul 6, 2018 · campaign 18V453000
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.
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 Eq
Lane Departure › Lane Keep › Steering AssistJun 6, 2018 · campaign 18V374000
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.
Structure › BodyMar 7, 2018 · campaign 18V154000
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.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/PanelNov 15, 2017 · campaign 17V719000
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 Displa
Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Not especially. It scores 41 out of 100, about average for luxury cars and SUVs.
Is the 2018 BMW X3 reliable?
It scores 41 out of 100 against other luxury cars and SUVs from 2015 to 2024, which is about average. Based on 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, we expect about $5,899 in repairs over the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year.
How much does a 2018 BMW X3 cost to own?
About $18,881 over 5 years: $4,822 in lost value, $5,899 in repairs and $8,160 in fuel at $3.40 a gallon. A typical one sells for about $14,930 today.
What are the best years of the BMW X3?
Of the years we rate, the 2016 scores best (44/100) and the 2019 worst (10/100).