2018 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 59 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 5 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: engine
19 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, May 11, 2025
Was simply driving my vehicle to work. It started overheating parked it right away before it got worse as the car alerted had it towed to a shop. The shop informed me that the motor was blown in the pistons went through the motor something with the oil the mechanic and I were looking further into this and it looks like my make and model in year had some recalls about the motor overheating in the past so I would really like this looked into as this might be a recall I’m not sure what else this could be or why this would happen with such low miles
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 21, 2025
My 330i 2018 bmw has a cracked in the oil housing unit. This is due to bmw putting plastic parts instead of aluminum. After researching this I found thousand of people complaining about the sane thing. The car overheats and sometimes the oil gets mixed into the coolsnt system b causes more damage. This seems to happen on cars with mileage between 60-70 on engines B46, B48 n B58z
Engine, Mar 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 330E. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal squealing sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Engine, Mar 3, 2025
Oil Filter Housing failed and coolant gushes all out which makes the car undrivable and risk of engine overheating and failure.
Engine, Jan 16, 2025
The vehicle gave a warning that the engine coolant was low and to power down before it overheated. Upon taking it to the dealer, it was discovered that the oil housing unit was defective. After doing online research, this is a very common issue with this part. I had a previous vehicle with a similar issue that caused the vehicle to shut down in traffic from overheating.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jan 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 330E. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, stalled, and restarted independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V576000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), however the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Engine, Dec 4, 2024
On 12/03/2024, while traveling at approximately 35mph, the "top off coolant" light came on. After traveling for approximately 10 more minutes, in route to get coolant, a warning message came on the screen advising to drive cautiously to prevent engine scorching. The vehicle then began to slightly lose power while traveling on a busy road. The vehicle was then shut down and towed to BMW dealership. During the tow, it was discovered that coolant was leaking from the center area of the engine block. The manufacturers dealership service rep advised that the technicians discovered that the oil filter housing needed to be replaced. They also found that the coolant pump also needed to be replaced. The rep advised that the coolant seal on the oil filter housing had worn down and caused the coolant leak. He also advised that the coolant pump needed to be replaced, as it was also leaking. It was later discovered because the valve that the pressure propelled, hot coolant flows through in the oil filter housing is made of plastic, it often wears down and coolant leaks out heavily. The water pump is also effected by the part manufacturing issue. In addition to receiving a $4,270.42 invoice for repairs today, we just recently purchased the $199.00 BMW Vehicle Check Service from the dealership on 9/23/2024. At that time, we were advised there were no issues with the vehicle. We have sense learned that there have been multiple recalls on various BMW models for this exact same issue. However, the VIN on my vehicle has not yet been identified for recall. Had this issue gone on for mere moments more, the engine could have caught fire, and or, a catastrophic crash could have ensued, effecting any driver on the road.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 2, 2024
Multiple codes came on right after I had gotten my thermostat and my water pump fixed. However it ended up being that there was more leaks throughout the rest of the car. The car has currently cost me $3400 to fix and it’s still not fixed because nobody can figure out where the actual leak is coming from. The coolant is leaking and nobody can figure out where, it’s been having jerking issues since it started leaking and I read on other Bmw’s that the coolant leaks into the head gasket, causing the engine to blow
Engine, Jan 15, 2024
At around 65k miles multiple plastic engine coolant connectors and hoses crack and fail. 5 locations at the same time! Coolant pump leaks. I went to an independent repair shop for a second opinion and repairs for $2,400 so far. Cheaper than the BMW service department. There was a recall done 2 years ago for 1 hose I believe. The entire cooling system should be recalled. We could be stranded somewhere in a bad situation and the engine could be destroyed if overheated. Awful and bad design.
Engine, Dec 28, 2023
My oil filter housing failed at about 53,000 miles. While driving to work I got a low coolant warning and pulled over to see coolant dumping out of my car. The low coolant warning only comes on when the expansion tank is almost completely empty which can lead to oil and coolant mixing and overheating which will lead to premature engine damage without any early warning signs. I’ve read through forums and everyone on there has their oil filter housing fail at the same time, (around 50-60k miles). This is a huge issue in the community and BMW wants to charge almost 3,500 to replace it with their “revised part”. The housing has been revised 3 times now and so the manufacturer should replace these failed designs with the new revised ones. There’s already been a recall on the B48 engine for the plastic cooling line that leads into the head of the engine and it looks like the oil filter housing is the next biggest common failure. I tried to upload a screenshot from the service center at BMW with the quote and failure but it’s not working on my mobile.
Engine, Oct 26, 2023
The radiator failed due to rocks flying through the grill and smashing the radiator causing coolant to flow out of the radiator which could cause deadly issues if a car has no coolant while operating. Bmw knows this is an issue and refuses to warranty/recall the parts. They know its an issue because after 12/17 every 340i came with a rock guard to protect the radiator but every car before that was just left to be victim of a potentially deadly situation including mine (manufactured 10/17). Bmw refuses to acknowledge the problem but the addition of the rock guard to cars after 12/17 should be enough evidence to show they knew it was an issue. Now all 2016-2018 m sport f30 chassis built before 12/7 are susceptible to this deadly situation and bmw refuses to cover for any damages even though they know it's a serious issue and they won't even cover the rock guard
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 24, 2023, crash
Rattling noise we’ll driving and when going over 30 mph can lose control
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 13, 2023, crash
Rattling noise when accelerating
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 13, 2022, fire
On January 19, 2022 I was driving and then smoked filled inside my car and the outside engine was smoking and a light came on that said check coolant. BMW service took me in that day and they said my coolant broke. They removed it and replaced it. They did not understand how the coolant broke but I paid for the service and parts and moved forward. On November 25, 2022 I went into the same BMW service center to get a routine car service and they stated there was a recall and they would replace my coolant for free. (After I told them I paid for it ($699.63) . They insisted I replace it for free again and reach out to BMW corporate for a reimbursement of previous service. I received a call yesterday stating they would not replace it and reach out and file a report with NHTA.
Engine, Jun 22, 2022
Unknown - I returned from a work related trip out of the country, started my vehicle and coolant was pouring everywhere. BMW stated there's a recall coming out but have not seen one since the repair in April which was over a thousand USD.
Engine, Apr 16, 2021
ON THE WAY HOME FROM PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE AS A CPO AT THE BMW DEALER, A LOUD ENGINE KNOCK DEVELOPED. MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE BMW DEALER TO CHECK IT, AND ON THE WAY THERE, IT LOST POWER & ENGINE MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. HAD TO PULL OFF HIGHWAY, FEARING CAR WOULD STOP RUNNING ALTOGETHER. DIAGNOSIS WAS FAILED ROD BEARINGS, WITH LOTS OF METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL FILTER. MILEAGE WAS 36,500 MILES.
Engine, Mar 8, 2021, fire
RETURNING FROM A LOCAL GROCERY STORE I DROVE INTO OUR GARAGE AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. IMMEDIATELY I HEARD A LOUD POP FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, LIKE FROM A FIRECRACKER, AND I SAW BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND FROM THE LEFT WHEEL WELL. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR TO DRIVE OUT OF THE GARAGE. NOTHING WORKED SO I PUSHED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE BY HAND AND RELEASED THE HOOD LATCH. BY NOW THE HOOD'S EXTERNAL SAFETY LATCH WAS SO HOT I COULD NOT RELEASE IT. WITH THE HOOD CLOSED, I WAS UNABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE ENGINE FIRE USING A 15 LB CO2 AND A 5 LB ABC EXTINGUISHER. THE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT ALSO WERE UNABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE UNTIL THEY SAWED THE HOOD IN HALF. THE 2 1/2 YEAR OLD CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. A EXPERT FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA INSPECTED THE CAR REPORTING THAT WAS TOO MUCH DAMAGE TO DETERMINE THE FIRE'S CAUSE. BMW NA CALLED TO REPORT THE RESULT NOT THEIR INVESTIGATION AND SAY THAT NO WRITTEN REPORT WAS AVAILABLE, ONLY THE VERBAL VERBAL FONECON.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 18, 2020
VEHICLE HAD 300 MILES ON IT. ALL POWER WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE STEERING GOING STRAIGHT 45MPH WITH MY SMALL CHILD IN THE CAR. ALMOST DIED, BUT WAS ABLE TO CONTROL CAR TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALMOST GETTING HIT HEAD ON. CALLED BMW FROM WITHIN THE CAR AND WENT LATER THAT DAY TO GET A LOANER. I REFUSED TO TAKE BACK CAR DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES. AFTER A WEEK OF THEM "FIXING" IT THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A MAIN CONTROL PANEL FOR THE FUEL PUMP THAT WENT OUT. I DO SEE THROUGH WHEN CHECKING RECALLS FOR 2018 BMWS THAT THERE WAS ONE ISSUED FOR A PUMP, BUT NOT UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2018. THIS HAPPENED TO ME IN MARCH OF 2018, SO IF IT IS THE SAME ISSUE THE RECALL SHOULD BE SHORTENED.
Service brakes, Engine, Jul 7, 2020, crash
I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE FOR ABOUT A MINUTE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LUNGED FORWARD.I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE,ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR , BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME IS THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE CAR ,AS HE WAS STOPPED TOO. THE CAR THEN BOUNCED BACKWARD AND TURNED OFF BY ITSELF. I WAS ON A MAIN STREET AT A LIGHT. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT ANOTHER CAR WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE IT STOPPED THE CAR AND PREVENTED MY CAR FROM HITTING PEDESTRIANS.