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BMW M3Model year report

2018 BMW M3 Problems

Complaints
9filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
10,750miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 BMW M3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2018 BMW M3. The part named most often is fuel system, with 6 complaints (67% of the total), followed by engine (2) and other or unknown (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 10,750 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 55 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “2018 M3 gas tank has cracked on the top and gas slushes around and leaks out. I filled up my tank and gas started leaking from the bottom. 2015-2016 BMW covers it but mine is made in 2017 has the same issue but no recall. This is very dangerous because it’s gas related.”

NHTSA complaint #11597225, filed 2024-06

Engine: “While driving, suddenly, with no warning smoke came from under the hood. I got off the road and turned off car immediately. Luckily, since I did turn off the car so quickly, it did not burst into flames but did create a fire within the engine. I have video of fire damage and BMW quote on repair stating fire damage. As in the past with BMW, there is a documented history of PCV-heater fires. NHTSA Recall 22V-119 states the BMW PCV valve heaters can short circuit, overheat and cause a fire.”

NHTSA complaint #11759039, filed 2026-08

Other or unknown: “Hello, I have a 2018 Bmw M3 that is about 12 months old. There was a sirius xm (satellite radio) trial period of 1 year, and now that it is about to expire, there is an advertisement in my navigation window that comes up every time I turn on the car, that has to be cleared via pressing ok or else it doesn't go away. The safety concern is that if I turn on the car and go into reverse, the reverse camera will show but gets interrupted by the sirius xm advertisement, and doesn't come back until the advertisement to renew is manually cleared out. …”

NHTSA complaint #11193822, filed 2019-04, 13,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 8,000 and 13,500 miles.

50%0–1050%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 10,750 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20192023420242026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2018 BMW M3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
M3 RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual172520$4,100
M3 RWD3.0L 6-cyl7-speed automatic172420$4,100
M3 CS RWD3.0L 6-cyl7-speed automatic162219$4,350

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 M3 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. 55 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 55 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW M3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2018910,7500—20—Not enough data
2016520,0003—20—Not enough data
20131324,0002—16—Not enough data
2012624,6003—16—Not enough data
20113143,3004—160 · FewerFalling
20101556,0004—16—Rising
2009454,0005—1650 · TypicalFalling
20088215,0005—1660 · TypicalRising
20061475,0005—17—Not enough data
20051285,0003—17—Not enough data
20043177,9943—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20035470,7505—17Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20024077,5005—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20011454,0004—17—Not enough data
19991161,8001—20—Not enough data
19981471,5001—21—Not enough data
199719—2—21—Stable
19951244,4224—20—Not enough data

All BMW M3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 BMW M3 have?

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2018 BMW M3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 BMW M3 is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 6 complaints (67% of the total), followed by engine with 2.

Has the 2018 BMW M3 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.

What gas mileage does the 2018 BMW M3 get?

The EPA rates the 2018 BMW M3 (M3, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 BMW M3 reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 10,750 miles and the middle half falls between 8,000 and 13,500 miles; 100% 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. 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.