Representative model. Photo: Chanokchon, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2018 BMW 5 Series recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2018 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 7
Park-it warnings: 1
Complaints: 103
Latest campaign: Jul 8, 2026

Recall summary by component7

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Engine and engine cooling	3	–	Aug 8, 2024	24V588000 22V614000 18V465000
Electrical system	1	1	Jul 8, 2026	26V441000
Air bags	1	–	Apr 29, 2020	20V243000
Back over prevention	1	–	Sep 27, 2019	19V684000
Equipment	1	–	Sep 20, 2018	18V652000

Safety recalls7

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

1Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jul 8, 2026Latest campaign


Jul 8, 202626V441000	Electrical system: starter assembly relay A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire. Park outside, away from structures DetailsHide details for campaign 26V441000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 530e xDrive, 2017-2019 740Le xDrive, 2018-2020 530e iPerformance, 2016-2018 330e iPerformance vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit. Risk A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire. Remedy Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 30, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning August 28, 2026. Filed under 530e Iperformance, 530e Xdrive Iperformance Campaign NHTSA 26V441000 · Jul 8, 2026
Aug 8, 202424V588000	Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system emission control An EGR valve with smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold increases the risk of an engine fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 24V588000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 540d xDrive vehicles that were previously repaired under recall number 22V-614. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold. Risk An EGR valve with smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold increases the risk of an engine fire. Remedy Dealers will inspect and replace the EGR module and the intake manifold as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 540d Campaign NHTSA 24V588000 · Aug 8, 2024
Aug 10, 202222V614000	Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system emission control A melting intake manifold increases the risk of fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V614000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d xDrive vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold. Risk A melting intake manifold increases the risk of fire. Remedy Dealers will replace the EGR module, and the intake manifold will be inspected and replaced, if necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 540d Campaign NHTSA 22V614000 · Aug 10, 2022
Apr 29, 202020V243000	Air bags In the event of a crash of sufficient severity, deployment of the head air bag may be impaired and/or the igniter could separate from the inflator, increasing the risk… DetailsHide details for campaign 20V243000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i and 540i xDrive and 2017-2018 530e xDrive vehicles. Prior exposure to excessive levels of humidity within the driver and passenger head air bag inflators may affect the proper deployment of the head air bags. Risk In the event of a crash of sufficient severity, deployment of the head air bag may be impaired and/or the igniter could separate from the inflator, increasing the risk of injury. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right head air bag, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 530e Campaign NHTSA 20V243000 · Apr 29, 2020
Sep 27, 201919V684000	Back over prevention: sensing system camera The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 19V684000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors." Risk The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Filed under 530e, 530i, 540d, 540i, M550i Campaign NHTSA 19V684000 · Sep 27, 2019
Sep 20, 201818V652000	Equipment: electrical An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V652000 What's wrong BMW 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 Roadster vehicles and 2018-2019 530e iPerformance, 530e xDrive iPerformance and 740Le xDrive iPerformance vehicles. Capacitors within the TurboCord Portable Chargers may fail, possibly resulting in a shock hazard or a fire. Risk An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the charging cable, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 530e Campaign NHTSA 18V652000 · Sep 20, 2018

Merged from NHTSA model names: 530e Iperformance, 530e Xdrive Iperformance, 540d, 530e, 530i, 540i, M550i. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2018 BMW 5 Series? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component103

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

103Complaints filed

5Involving a crash

1Involving a fire

5Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Air bags	45	44	0	0	0
Seat belts	30	29	1	0	2
Electrical system	17	17	1	1	1
Seats	17	17	1	0	1
Engine	10	10	0	1	0
Unknown or other	10	10	1	0	2
Structure	4	4	0	1	0
Engine and engine cooling	3	3	0	0	0
Wheels	3	3	0	0	0
Visibility/wiper	2	2	0	0	0
Power train	2	2	1	0	1
Latches/locks/linkages	2	2	1	0	0
Tires	2	2	0	0	0
Steering	2	2	0	0	0
Forward collision avoidance	2	2	0	0	0

6 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names 5 Series, 5 Series Phev, M550I.

Latest reports

Visibility
“The contact owns a 2018 BMW 530E. The contact vehicle was left outside due to not being able to store the vehicle in the garage, and the front windshield cracked. The dealer was contacted, but no assistance was provided.”
Filed 10/06/2026 · ODI 11769289
Electrical system
“The contact owns a 2018 BMW 530E. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle was shaking abnormally, with electrical system failures.”
Filed 09/10/2026 · ODI 11763315
Engine
“Throughout my ownership, I have adhered to BMW’s recommended maintenance schedule, including routine oil changes and inspections.”
Filed 08/07/2026 · ODI 11755556

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2018 BMW 5 Series recall questions

How many recalls does the 2018 BMW 5 Series have?

NHTSA lists 7 safety recall campaigns for the 2018 BMW 5 Series. The most recent, 26V441000 (reported July 8, 2026), concerns electrical system. 1 campaign carries a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2018 BMW 5 Series recalls for?

The largest group is engine and engine cooling, with 3 campaigns. Others: electrical system (1), air bags (1), back over prevention (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2018 BMW 5 Series?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 45 complaints out of 103 filed with NHTSA (44%). Across all complaints, owners reported 5 crashs and 1 fire. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2018 BMW 5 Series?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

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