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Engine coolingPart report

2018 BMW X5 Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
12%of 73 total for the year
Median mileage
73,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2018 BMW X5, 12% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

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 X5. The contact stated that a low coolant message was displayed on the instrument panel while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was initially taken to a dealer where an oil change was performed, and the contact was informed that there were no other defects found with the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure returned a week after the oil change and the vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic. …”

NHTSA complaint #11644586, filed 2025-02, 83,429 miles

“The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated while his wife was starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooling system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but experienced the failure a second time three days later. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where the vehicle was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11541124, filed 2023-08, 47,190 miles

“The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was blue smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbocharger had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under TSB Number: B111116. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11588105, filed 2024-05, 69,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, while driving approximately 10 MPH, there was black smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the EGR cooler and intake manifold had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V755000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #11646189, filed 2025-03, 73,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2018 BMW X5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the thermostat was stuck opened, causing the check engine warning light to illuminate and the transmission oil coolant heat exchanger to be damaged by the thermostat failure. The contact was advised that the thermostat and coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #11627506, filed 2024-11, 74,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202512%
202234%
202176%
20201513%
2019126%
2018912%
201745%
201679%
201596%
201455%
201364%
2012124%
2011104%
20101310%
200964%
2008167%
200734%
200674%
200556%
200423%
20032424%
20022121%
20013119%

Other parts of the 2018 BMW X5

Fuel system
18 complaints
Electrical system
15 complaints
Engine
11 complaints
Other or unknown
11 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
10 complaints
Suspension
6 complaints
Air bags
4 complaints
Tires
4 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
Electronic stability control
2 complaints
Steering
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