Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW X2, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Exterior lighting6
- Unknown or other6
- Electrical system4
- Engine2
- Service brakes2
- Power train1
- Wheels1
- Air bags1
- Structure1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 15 2018 X2 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 6 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2018 BMW X2 failed the safety check 1.35% of the time — 18% less often than the average 2018 passenger car (1.65%). Median odometer at inspection: 43,270 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2018
31,002 new BMW X2 cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2018; the largest markets were Germany (9,334), the United Kingdom (5,094), Spain (4,555).
- Average mass
- 1,601 kg
- Average CO₂
- 153 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 125 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 65% · Petrol 35%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2018 BMW X2 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (141 kW, 189 hp), 1.5 petrol (103 kW, 138 hp) and 1.5 petrol (100 kW, 134 hp), out of 5 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 141 kW 189 hp | 824 |
| 1.5 petrol | 103 kW 138 hp | 281 |
| 1.5 petrol | 100 kW 134 hp | 45 |
| 2.0 diesel | 140 kW 188 hp | 27 |
| 2.0 diesel | 110 kW 148 hp | 20 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
1,201 first registered in 2018 are on Dutch roads; 52% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €58,093.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde365
- Band onvoldoende profiel159
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld152
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm123
- Band beschadigd63
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht56
- Richtingaanwijzer werkt niet (goed)46
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage45
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
4,709 cars built in 2018 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 39 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 4,950 of these cars first registered in 2018 took their annual MOT test. 84% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2018 the figure was 84%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 7.2% | 5.2% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.8% | 4.0% |
| Visibility | 3.6% | 3.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.9% | 1.0% |
| Brakes | 1.3% | 2.9% |
| Suspension | 0.5% | 1.6% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
151 of these cars first registered in 2018 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 107,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
302 2018 cars are on the New Zealand register; 47% arrived as used imports, 52% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 9.5 L/100 km (about 25 mpg US), CO₂ 222 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| X2 xDrive28i · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Premium gasoline | 11.0 | 7.7 | 9.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2018 BMW X2.
| 2024544 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "N… |
| 2021777 16 Dec 2021 | Brakes Issue: On certain vehicles, the tell-tale (warning light) for the antilock brake system (ABS) doesn't light up in the instrument cluster when you start the ve… |
| 2018497 13 Sept 2018 | Engine On certain vehicles, a crankshaft sensor error may cause the engine to stall. This would result in a loss of motive power, which could increase the risk of a cr… |
| 2017561 15 Nov 2017 | Lights And Instruments Certain vehicles may not comply with Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 101 – Location and Identification of Controls and Displays. Due to a software … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BMW expanded the recall to a total of 5,309 vehicles including certain 2018-2019 BMW 540d xDrive, 230i M240i, M240i xDrive, X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 330i, 330i xDrive, 340i, 340i xDrive, 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 530e, 530e xDrive, 640i xDrive Gran Turismo, 330e, 2019 430i Gran Coupe, 430i xDrive Gran Coupe, 440i Gran Coupe, 440i xDrive Gran Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, 740i, 740i xDrive, MINI Cooper, Cooper S, JCW, MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), and MINI Clubman (Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, JCW All4) vehicles.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2018 BMW X2: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11000578 | EVAP SYSTEM PURGE (VENT) VALVE EXT LTD WTY (ELW) 15/150 |
| 10252135 | After performing a BMW Remote Software Upgrade (RSU), the functionality of the Comfort Access andPassive Go/Exit features may be reduced. Also, one or more of the following error memory entries below may be stored in the Basic Central Platform(BCP) module. 80424A Remote control receiver at the front (FBD5 VM): Programming defective 80424B Remote control receiver at the rear (FBD5 HM): Programming defective 80424C Remote control receiver at the front left (FBD5s VL): Programming defective 80424D Remote control receiver at the front right (FBD5s VR): Programming defective 80424E Remote con |
| 10252033 | During inspection and/or diagnosis there is noticeable dirt/grease buildup on the axles near the inner and/o router CV boots. |
| 10249435 | Customer complains of a musty odor or damp front footwell carpet. |
| 10249027 | The 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. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints. |
| 10242874 | Customers may be experiencing one or more of these following issues with Bluetooth operation: Bluetooth cannot be switched on or off in the head unit (HU-H4) Paired mobile devices cannot be deleted Customer is unable to make phone calls or stream music with mobile device Customer is unable to connect a new mobile device via Bluetooth Mobile device does not automatically reconnect via Bluetooth in the next drive cycle (after short sleep cycle) |
| 10238090 | After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails. |
| 10238081 | Upon opening and closing the tailgate, a creaking/groaning sound can be heard from tailgate actuator. |
| 10235205 | The 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 (VoLTE) function. For this purpose, the SIM card must perform an IMS registration in the mobile communication network. Due to a production error, the telematics control units were delivered without an IMS configuration. The Connected Drive voice services (Concierge Call, BMW Assistance, and emergency call voice) can no longer be used regionally in the US in vehicle with telematics control units ATM-1 and TCB-4G. Voice cont |
| 10235192 | The buttons on the gear selector switch (GWS) do not work, or the function indicator lighting has failed. |
| 10235183 | While driving on rough roads, a knocking sound can be heard coming from top of the instrument panel (aka dashboard) in the bulkhead area. |
| 10228428 | During load reversal or taking off from a stop, there is a creaking or droning noise heard from the lower engine area. |
| 10228427 | During a vehicle inspection and/or while addressing a customer's concern, the engine stabilizer bar/link appears to be worn. |
| 10218420 | The 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 Voice over LTE (VoLTE) function. For this purpose the SIM card must perform an IMS registration in the mobile communication network. Due to a production error, the telematics control units were delivered without an IMS configuration. The Connected Drive voice services (Concierge Call, BMW Assistance and emergency call voice) can no longer be used regionally in the US in vehicle with telematics control units ATM-1 and TCB-4G. Voice control of |
| 10218373 | Any or all of these conditions may be present: A. The exterior rearview mirror glass is discolored or cracked B. The power windows and folding mirrors may not operate C. One or more of the following LIN bus faults are stored in the BDC (Body Domain Controller): Faulty exterior rearview mirror electronics have created a short on the LIN bus, damaging the mirror glass and causing functional errors in power window and exterior mirror operation. |
| 10215752 | The following complaints may be noticed while slow maneuvering with a steering input of 80-100% (at or near full lock, e.g., parking lot maneuvers) or accelerating with a medium to large steering angle: Humming or creaking noises from the rear area, slight vibrations also noticeable from the driver's seat. The vehicle may also jerk slightly. |
| 10214989 | Mist formation on the windshield inside surface may occur at departure or after MSA (automaticstart/stop). Acoustic abnormality in the area of the recirculated air flap (recirculation flap closing and opening severaltimes). The above may occur individually or in combination. |
| 10214256 | The quick disconnect coupling on the cylinder head coolant vent line could break at the cylinder head. This would lead to loss of coolant from the engine. |
| 10212796 | The Check Control message "Door open" appears in the instrument cluster (Kombi) even though all vehicle doors are closed and locked. The locking operation of the doors is not affected. |
| 10212525 | Customer complains of musty odor or damp front footwell carpet. |
| 10206685 | Any or all of the following CCM ID code 14/15/16/17 "door open" appear in the instrument cluster when the door is properly closed and locked. The locking operation of the door is not affected by the incorrect display. |
| 10204657 | Different air temperatures are felt from left to right out of the front fresh air grilles (air vents). |
| 10201145 | Different air temperatures are felt from left to right out of the front fresh air grilles (air vent). The following fault code is saved in the IHKA (integrated automatic heating/air conditioning system) control unit: 801189 - Engine mixed air right: Initialization fault. |
| 10200246 | Customer states the Central Information Display is flickering and the picture is shifting. |
| 10188944 | LIN BUS FAULTS WITH EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR GLASS DAMAGE: Faulty exterior rearview mirror electronics have created a short on the LIN bus, damaging the mirror glass and causing functional errors in power window and exterior mirror operation. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation