2018 BMW 320I Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 13,615miles, 10 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 3 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 28 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl RWD · 24 city / 35 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 BMW 320I (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2018 BMW 320I. The part named most often is electrical system, with 7 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine (5) and fuel system (5). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 13,615 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 94 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 25 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system7 33%
- Engine5 24%
- Fuel system5 24%
- Air bags4 19%
- Brakes3 14%
- Other or unknown3 14%
- Vehicle speed control2 9.5%
- Seats1 4.8%
Also reported: Steering (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “This car doesn't have a way for drivers to put the gear in neutral if the electrical panel and the engine is dead. I was in the flooded area in the middle of the road and felt scared when big trucks passed me side by side. Even the sheriff who helped me couldn't find it in the owners manual. I have a 12 months old grandson and I don't feel safe driving this car.”
NHTSA complaint #11233062, filed 2019-07, 9,000 milesEngine: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #11337852, filed 2020-07, 21,000 milesFuel 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11624760, filed 2024-11Air bags: “Airbags failed to deploy in serious accident causing injury. Vehicle was traveling when stuck in front left bumper by another vehicle traveling approximately 45-50 MPH”
NHTSA complaint #11079929, filed 2018-03, 3,900 milesMileage when problems were reported
80% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,000 and 47,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 BMW 320I. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Series · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.5% risk |
| 3 Series · wagon AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.5% risk |
| 3 Series · sedan RWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.5% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2018 BMW 320I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 320i RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 24 | 35 | 28 | $2,950 |
| 320i RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 23 | 35 | 27 | $3,050 |
| 320i xDrive AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 23 | 34 | 27 | $3,050 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2018 BMW 320I in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 94 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers…
- 10245364Nov 16, 2023Engine cooling. Diesel fuel injectors: ltd wty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles
- 10245365Nov 13, 2023Engine cooling. Pressure control valve (pcv) extended ltd wty 15 years/150,000 miles
- 10245367Nov 9, 2023Engine cooling. Check Control message (CCM) indicates: (ID 213): Stop, exercising due care. Voltage supply The Service Engine Soon light is on with the following DME Fault Code: 21B209 - Starter alternator / belt…
- 10238090May 1, 2023Electrical system. After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.
- 10235205Mar 1, 2023Electrical system, Equipment. The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be available. In the 4G network, voice calls will be transferred via the Voice over LTE (VoLTE) function. For…
- 10235202Mar 1, 2023Electrical system, Exterior lighting. Exterior rear lights do not work.
- 10230722Dec 1, 2022Transmission and drivetrain. After an automatic engine start (MSA start), the transmission intermittently goes into the Park "P" or Neutral "N" position without any customer influence.
- 10230717Dec 1, 2022Fuel system. For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Fuel Injectors to 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original…
Other model years of the BMW 320I
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 21 | 13,615 | 0 | 5 | 28 | — | Rising |
| 2017 | 9 | 90,500 | 0 | 5 | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 25 | 57,500 | 0 | 5 | 28 | 38 · Typical | Rising |
| 2015 | 34 | 56,200 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2014 | 53 | 63,967 | 7 | 5 | 28 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 9 | 84,500 | 3 | — | 28 | — | Not enough data |
All BMW 320I model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 BMW 320I have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2018 BMW 320I as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2018 BMW 320I is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 7 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine with 5.
Has the 2018 BMW 320I been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2018 BMW 320I do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 BMW 320I 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 3 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2018 BMW 320I get?
The EPA rates the 2018 BMW 320I (320i, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 24 city and 35 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2018 BMW 320I reported?
Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 13,615 miles and the middle half falls between 9,000 and 47,000 miles; 80% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.