There are 13 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2018 BMW X5in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
EGR system coolant leak and white smoke from exhaust
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, while driving approximately 10 MPH, there was black smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the EGR cooler and intake manifold had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V755000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 73,000.
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated that a low coolant message was displayed on the instrument panel while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was initially taken to a dealer where an oil change was performed, and the contact was informed that there were no other defects found with the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure returned a week after the oil change and the vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that the intake manifold was cracked and that the EGR valve cooler was defective, and that both parts needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the intake manifold and the EGR cooler and informed the contact that there was an unknown recall on the vehicle for the defect. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, the contact was denied a reimbursement request. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was 83,429.
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the thermostat was stuck opened, causing the check engine warning light to illuminate and the transmission oil coolant heat exchanger to be damaged by the thermostat failure. The contact was advised that the thermostat and coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The AC compressor catastrophically failed and sent metal throughout the AC system. I will have to auction the vehicle and try to get some money from the vehicle to buy another car. I doubt that I will still have the vehicle by the end of August 2024. Because my vehicle is a plug-in-hybrid and AC lines run through it, the check engine light came on because the electric drive could not function properly. It was 90+ degrees outside and thus inside the car, and a good portion of the power to drive my car wasn't available since the electrical drive was affected. The problem was diagnosed by our local BMW dealer. Their analysis is sent via video messages. While I doubt you will be allowed to view it for corporate safety standards, the URL for the video they sent is [XXX] . I also saved a screen grab video but it is too large to send. Just the BMW dealership. The cost to repair is approximately $18,000. There was no warning. Shortly after the AC stopped cooling the check engine light came on and it appeared that my car stopped using the electric drive. This problem (catastrophic AC compressor failure) appears to have occurred in several other BMW models and model years. The only recommended fix is an extremely costly replacement of every AC line in the entire car system (engine, cabin, hybrid battery in my car's case). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving noticed a burning smell (at first, I thought it was the car in front of mine) and smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. Then engine malfunctioned & reduced power light came on. Parked car and inspected the engine. Noticed strong smell of burning and found melted parts of the engine intake manifold with holes. Took photos, had vehicle towed to BMW dealership.
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was blue smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbocharger had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under TSB Number: B111116. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated while his wife was starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooling system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but experienced the failure a second time three days later. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where the vehicle was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,190.
Need asap reply, Hello this is the worse service I ever had to encounter March 10 2022 till present date I haven’t gotten my vehicle back from https://www.mckennabmw.com/ had been a back n forth matter. This recall has gone way too far my pregnant wife n mother in law we’re in vehicle when it broke down. I been in a loaner vehicle from the date shown above. This need to be look at asap I’m consulting this to an attorney. I NO longer want vehicle back I am requesting a buy it back so I can move on to my next vehicle and it won’t be a BMW plz contact me asap @ [XXX] Who will I need to contact to request lost of use coverage to be issued to me I been paying insurance to a vehicle that’s it’s only sitting at the nearest dealer I’ve also paid a huge amount for a tow truck to pick up my pregnant wife from the highway. Hope to heard from you guys soon . Thank you INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026