2018 BMW X5 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 21%of 73 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 7,965miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 BMW X5, 21% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,965 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car displayed drivetrain malfunction warning message multiple times after the car reached 10k miles. The drivetrain malfunction message was reported to the dealer multiple times and dealer failed to provide proper explanation as well as failed to permanently fix the problem. The car is hybrid and the issue happens randomly when driven at speed between 60mph to 80 MPH. When the warning message is displayed the car air condition stops function completely, the car loses acceleration and maintain speed of 60 MPH even if the gas pedal is pressed firmly.”
NHTSA complaint #11128696, filed 2018-09, 11,000 miles“-Bmw X5 2018 electrical machine electronic (eme) -lost complete electrical power of the vehicle, no brakes, hard to steering, no gas, no control of the vehicle, if I would have been driving on the highway would had endanger other drivers and/or my family and self. -there is a service action report dated may 2019 b12 15 19 requesting replacing the electrical machine electronic (eme) the vehicle is at the Bmw service department and has been inspected. …”
NHTSA complaint #11565653, filed 2024-01“In the last week my BMW's wires are chewed by the rodents twice. After doing some research, I found that BMW uses soy/oil based wire coatings or coverings that attract rodents and cause damage to the vehicle. I found many forums where this incident is reported or discussed, but no action has been taken by the BMW to replace the material of wires. With the wires chewed up the communication of different parts of the system becomes incommunicable. …”
NHTSA complaint #11501064, filed 2023-01“BMW issued a recall in October 2024 regarding the engine coolant pump electrical connector on my 2018 BMW X5 xDrive40e, warning of electrical shorts and fire risks. It's now late March 2025—approximately six later—and BMW dealerships still state explicitly they have no available remedy and no timeline for repair. Recently, my vehicle showed a drivetrain warning message, which I suspect is recall-related. I called BMW corporate recall hotline and my local BMW dealership (BMW of Tenafly) today (March 24, 2025). …”
NHTSA complaint #11650364, filed 2025-03“The rear door opened on it own while driving on the freeway and refuses to close. The car has soft close doors and it seems like the mechanism is faulty. While driving an adult was seated in the rear left seat and was quickly able to hold the door while I slowly pulled over for safety. The door continues to behave the same way and continues to open on its own when I have closed it. I am currently not driving the vehicle, the dealer has refused to tell me the problem without a $300 diagnosis fee.”
NHTSA complaint #11563418, filed 2024-01Related recalls
- 18V652000Sep 20, 2018BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV and 2019 i8 and i8…Covers: BMW X5 2018, 530E 2018–2019, 740LE 2018–2019 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 11015848Mar 13, 2025The High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assemblys Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific) limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been…
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024The 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…
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or…
- 10238090May 1, 2023After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.
- 10235205Mar 1, 2023The 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…
- 10225115Sep 1, 2022Customer is unable to power up or charge accessories through a plug adapter inserted in the front 12-volt power socket plug. Alternatively, it will only operate when constant…
- 10224212Aug 1, 2022Driver Assistance reduced checked control message (CCM) appears. All or some of the system functions maybe inoperative. The following fault will be stored: 481CC6.
- 10218384Jun 1, 2022Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. Note…
- 10218382Jun 1, 2022A check control message for the restraint system appears. In the Instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes stored…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 36% |
| 2025 | 8 | 13% |
| 2024 | 25 | 17% |
| 2023 | 8 | 24% |
| 2022 | 16 | 22% |
| 2021 | 38 | 35% |
| 2020 | 39 | 35% |
| 2019 | 72 | 37% |
| 2018 | 15 | 21% |
| 2017 | 17 | 23% |
| 2016 | 23 | 31% |
| 2015 | 13 | 9% |
| 2014 | 15 | 15% |
| 2013 | 21 | 14% |
| 2012 | 29 | 11% |
| 2011 | 19 | 7% |
| 2010 | 23 | 19% |
| 2009 | 16 | 12% |
| 2008 | 35 | 16% |
| 2007 | 9 | 13% |
| 2006 | 20 | 12% |
| 2005 | 15 | 18% |
| 2004 | 10 | 16% |
| 2003 | 17 | 17% |
| 2002 | 16 | 16% |
| 2001 | 24 | 15% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2018 BMW X5
18 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 BMW X5
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology