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Electrical systemPart report

2018 BMW 320I Electrical system Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
33%of 21 total for the year
Median mileage
9,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 BMW 320I, 33% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 miles

“Ince december of 2019 I have had continuous problems with my car and my iphone. I have responsibly gone to dealership far too many times to have this repaired. Calls have dropped while I'm on the phone with clients who are emotionally fragile. (I am a therapist ). The calls continually dropped and after looking at the issue the service dept dealership told me it was my phone. I went to apple and got a brand new telephone and the issue happened again. So clearly it wasn't my phone. They replaced some parts but I haven't driven my car due to covid. …”

NHTSA complaint #11352572, filed 2020-09, 13,230 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11384147, filed 2020-12, 300 miles

“The electrical call system malfunctions. I’ve done extensive research and actually confirmed with Garret today at A&L BMW that there is a problem in the manufacturing of the shark fin. The gasket that BMW uses does not hole up and the sealant does not keep water from leaking into the fin. Every time it rains/snows or the vehicle is wet the system malfunctions. Currently it only has the ability to affect me if I were in a wreck and won’t notify emergency services. This has the ability to shut down all electrical functions in my car and has been a common issue in BMW dating back as far as 2015. …”

NHTSA complaint #11566233, filed 2024-01

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2018733%
2017111%
201628%
2015515%
2014917%

Other parts of the 2018 BMW 320I

Engine
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 BMW 320I

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology