2018 BMW X3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 3%of 76 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 152,942miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 BMW X3, 3% of the 76 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 152,942 miles.
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.
“The contact owns a 2018 BMW X3. The contact stated while his wife was driving 65 MPH, a message advising to stop driving was displayed, and the vehicle simultaneously shifted into neutral(N) independently. The vehicle stalled in the middle of the highway and failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. The message advising to drive with caution was displayed after several minutes, and the contact was able to continue driving upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11575803, filed 2024-03, 152,942 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10233157Feb 1, 2023There is a howling or whistling noise from under the vehicle at 30 -37 mph (50 -60 km/h) when driving after a cold start, when the outside temperature is 32 F (0 C) or lower. The…
- 10208177Jan 1, 2022DELIVERY STOP: REPLACE CONTROL UNIT TRANSFER CASE. Due to a production failure, the control unit was assembled with a capcitator instead of a resistor.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 11% |
| 2024 | 4 | 10% |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 9 | 10% |
| 2021 | 5 | 4% |
| 2020 | 14 | 13% |
| 2019 | 7 | 4% |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 9 | 11% |
| 2015 | 9 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 7% |
| 2013 | 60 | 27% |
| 2012 | 7 | 17% |
| 2011 | 23 | 20% |
| 2009 | 3 | 16% |
| 2008 | 5 | 8% |
| 2007 | 6 | 6% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 4 | 4% |
| 2004 | 11 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2018 BMW X3
22 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 BMW X3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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