Model year record
2018 BMW 320i recalls & problems
The 2018 BMW 320i has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 21 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (7 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2018 BMW 320i.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
320i
| City / highway | 24 / 35 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,950/year to fuel
320i
| City / highway | 23 / 35 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
320i xDrive
| City / highway | 23 / 34 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 7 | 9,500 mi |
| Air bagsSensor › Occupant classification | 5 | — |
| Engine | 5 | — |
| Power train | 3 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | — |
| Unknown or other | 2 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | — |
| Service brakes | 2 | — |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | — |
| Seats | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, diesel | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Chest clip, buckle, harness
After tightening the harness, the straps slip and loosen completely on their own without pressing the release button. This happens due to normal movement while driving, leaving my child completely unrestrained and unprotected. I have already followed the manufacturer guidelines to thoroughly clean the adjuster mechanism and the strap area with warm water to rule out any debris or buildup. While it seems to hold for a brief period, the mechanical failure returns after a couple of days.
- Power train
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 320I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle unexpectedly started rolling forward. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to immediately respond. The contact stated that the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact referenced an unknown recall for the failure, but the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
- Air bagsCrash
On 09/16/25, I was exiting the Florida turnpike onto Sawgrass Highway via the exit ramp on exit 71. As I decelerated from 60 MPH to 35 MPH to match the speed of the exit ramp, I was in the left most lane in the two-lane exit ramp. My car spun out and I lost control of the vehicle, which caused the vehicle to spin through the two lanes of the ramp several times and ended up drifting onto the edge of the retention pond on the left of the exit ramp. I probably had spun around over three times and my car hung off the edge of the retention pond with the only thing preventing my car from falling into the pond being the rocks to prevent erosion on the side of the pond. The airbags on the drivers…
- Fuel system, diesel
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 320I. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The message Engine coolant system, coolant pump outside of speed tolerance" and code 20A701 was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate, and the contact drove 8 MPH back to the residence. A fuel-burning odor was on the interior and exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while her husband was driving, the failure reoccurred. The contact's husband arrived at the residence and became aware that the water…
- Fuel/propulsion system
⢠What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The plastic fuel tank failed and developed a leak. Yes, the tank is available for inspection upon request. ⢠How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A leaking fuel tank poses a serious fire and explosion hazard, especially when the vehicle is operating or parked near heat sources. Gasoline fumes were noticeable, creating an increased risk of ignition and exposure to toxic vapors. ⢠Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The problem was confirmed by an independent mechanic, who verified the leak in the fuel tank. ⢅
- Engine
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 Iâm not sure what else this could be or why this would happen with such low miles
- Air bags
My passenger airbag sensor malfunctioned and the repair is over two thousand dollars. The car is only 6 years old and I believe airbags should last longer than 6 years. BMW has extended warranties for airbags on some models (mine not included) for 15 years without mileage limitation. If a collision occurs, my passenger would be in extreme danger.
- Fuel/propulsion system
Gas tank began leaking from top of blind flange, similar to other extended warranties (SIB 01 03 22 and SIB 01 07 22). BMW is refusing to cover my specific model year (I have sent letters requesting reimbursement and called multiple times). It created an explosion hazard in my garage. Had mechanic repair, I do not have part. Cost $2,000 for new tank that will probably develop same issue. There were no warning lamps.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…