CSR

BMW · NHTSA safety record

2018 BMW X2

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

14

Complaints

2

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2018 BMW X2 have filed 14 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2019 and May 2026. The most complained-about system is the exterior lighting, named in 5 of them (36%). The typical failure was reported at 10,140 miles, the median across the 5 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 1 recall covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (1)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

18V465000 · July 12, 2018

The defect
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.
The risk
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 5,309 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 14.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5 36%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 36%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 29%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 14%
AIR BAGS 1 7%
ENGINE 1 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 7%
POWER TRAIN 1 7%
STEERING 1 7%
STRUCTURE 1 7%
WHEELS 1 7%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2023 at 3.

2019 2023 2026
2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 32,000 miles

The contact owned a 2018 BMW X2. The contact stated that while driving at 20-25 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. As a result, the contact sustained an injury to the neck, back, chest, and left arm. Medical attention was required, and the ambulance was called to the scene. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed of a callback. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

NHTSA complaint 11508883. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

fire

My car started fire by itself. It was parked in front of my house. I drove 90 miles from my work in the same evening. I came home at 7:00pm, and since then my car was untouched. At 1:30am of the night, I heard something "pop" outside and it started making noise like something is on fire. And then I opened the window to find out my car is on fire. It was parked right in front of my house, the fire would move to my house anytime, but my neighbor called the police and fire station for me, and told me to get out of the house ASAP because it might explode. I was so panicked to grab my cats as I try to leave my house, and the police came right away, they started to water the rim of my house. The

NHTSA complaint 11576127, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:PARKING ASSIST:SENSORS

crash · 5,000 miles

2018 BMW X2. THE CAR HAS THE PARKING ASSIST FUNCTION, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO PARALLEL PARK THE CAR. AT DELIVERY, I WAS TOLD HOW TO USE THE SYSTEM, THE SYSTEM FINDS A SPACE, STEERS AND BRAKES. THE VIDEO ON THE DEALERSHIP WEBSITE SAYS IT BRAKES FOR YOU. THE VIDEO MAKES NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN MODELS AND IS UP AS OF 3/23/19. THE VEHICLE MANUAL SAYS NOTHING ABOUT THE DRIVER BRAKING DURING THE PROCESS. SEE ATTACHED PICTURES OF MANUAL. PARKING ASSIST FUNCTION BACKED INTO A CAR THE FIRST TIME I TRIED IT, DAMAGING THE BUMPER. THE SCREEN IN THE CAR DOES SAY TO USE BRAKES, BUT THAT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE SALES PEOPLE, THE MANUAL, AND THE VIDEO. MOREOVER, IT IS A FLAW IN THE SYSTEM IF IT REQUIRES YOU

NHTSA complaint 11191064, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
While driving a drivetrain warning ⚠️ was detected and code was displayed on the I drive, along with a CEL. The vehicle is in limp mode so I was unable to accelerate past 35-40 mph. Took the car into the dealership and was informed that my waste gate actuator failed @59,388 miles. The part is an electric controller and can fail without warning. In my opinion 59,000 miles is extremely early for a part that controls boost pressure at the turbocharger. Found numerous complaints about this component and I feel it should be recalled by the manufacturer. This component was an issue on older models and BMW extended the warranty to 15 years/150,00 miles.

NHTSA complaint 11739785. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Water began accumulating in the front footwell area of the vehicle, resulting in a soaked carpet and persistent musty odor. The condition developed during normal operation of the air conditioning system, without any external water intrusion (no flooding or open windows). The issue appears to be caused by a failure of the A/C condensate drain system, which is not properly draining water outside the vehicle. Instead, condensation is leaking into the cabin. This creates a risk of mold growth and potential damage to electrical components located beneath the floor, including wiring harnesses and control modules. The problem has been reproducible, especially when the air conditioning is in use.

NHTSA complaint 11726633, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EMERGENCY SOS MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON

NHTSA complaint 11651920. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Rear brake light bulb housing assemblies melted plastic around metal bulbs contacts. Both tail light assemblies has failed three times each. This issue has occurred on multiple BMW X2s.

NHTSA complaint 11648786. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:BULBS

10,140 miles

The contact owns a 2018 BMW X2. The contact stated that while driving, a "Driver’s side rear turn signal malfunction" message was displayed. Upon investigation, the contact was able to find information online and replaced the rear turn signal bulb herself. The contact stated that several days later, the failure returned, and the contact decided to take the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that the defect was a known issue caused by the casing around the taillight which caused the bulb to melt. The mechanic replaced the lightbulb; however, the failure returned several days later. The contact replaced the bulb independently however, the failure recurred.

NHTSA complaint 11639179, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Experiencing an issue with rear turn signal not functioning properly. Replaced bulb but problem not resolved. Checked internet to find others are experiencing issue with part melting causing bulb socket to loose connectivity causing the problem. Serious safety concern by my standards. Wife’s vehicle and she is constantly getting the finger and angry drivers behind honking and screaming at her.

NHTSA complaint 11615866. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other 2018 BMW models

Every BMW on this site — 249 vehicles, 484 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst