Problem Lookup › BMW › 4 Series › 2018
Car problem report
2018 BMW 4 Series problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2018 BMW 4 Series has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 34owner complaints
- 5crash reports
- 2fire reports
- 13%fail the UK MOT
34 complaints, against an average of 29 for the other 10 BMW 4 Series model years.
Every BMW 4 Series model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2018 BMW 4 Series?
The components named most often in the 34 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2018 BMW 4 Series owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 34 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2018 BMW 4 Series been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2018 BMW 4 Series as of October 25, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2018 BMW 4 Series recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSATakata Driver and/or Passenger Airbag Recall (Global VINs)
Risk: Affected vehicles are already included in Safety Recalls within the markets they have previously resided in. The vehicles may be fitted with a driver and/or passenger airbag/s which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury which could prove fatal to people in the vicinity.
Fix: Vehicles will have the affected airbags checked and if necessary replaced.
UK DVSAReplace the Engine Starter Motor
Risk: For affected vehicles there is a concern involving water ingress and corrosion to the starter motor for where a short circuit cannot be ruled out. It is strongly recommended to park the vehicle outdoors and not in the immediate vicinity of buildings until the repair has been carried out.
Fix: Replacement of the starter motor.
UK DVSACheck Driver’s Airbag for Conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5
Risk: Affected vehicles may have had a retrofit or conversion of the airbag using a previously recalled airbag variant which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury possibly fatal to people in the vicinity. The original factory fitment airbag for the vehicle is not affected.
Fix: Vehicles will have the airbag checked and if necessary replaced.
UK DVSAA possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which…A possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.
Risk: A possible degradation of airbag propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.
Fix: On affected vehicles the drivers airbag module will be replaced.
UK DVSAUndetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold
Risk: Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold.
Fix: The engine management control unit (DDE) will be programmed with improved software incorporating the latest OBD functionality.
UK DVSAThe exhaust gas recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident
Risk: The Exhaust Gas Recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the EGR cooler module will be replaced.
UK DVSAThe exhaust gas recirculation module could leak over time
Risk: The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Module could leak over time and cause thermal incident.
Fix: The EGR cooler will be internally inspected with an endoscope and replaced if evidence of leaking is found.
UK DVSAThe exhaust gas recirculation cooler could leak over time
Risk: Leaking glycol coolant could create in combination with soot and oil sediments in the EGR module ignitable deposits.
Fix: The EGR cooler will be internally inspected with an endoscope and replaced if evidence of leaking is found.
UK DVSAExhaust gas recirculation cooler could potentially leak over time
Risk: The EGR cooler may leakpresenting a fire risk.
Fix: The EGR cooler will be replaced with an improved version.
UK DVSASoftware fault in crankshaft sensor
Risk: The affected vehicles may be equipped with a crankshaft sensor with a software fault.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the crankshaft sensor will be replaced with a new version.
UK DVSASoftware fault with crankshaft sensor
Risk: The affected vehicles may be equipped with a crankshaft sensor with a software fault. The crankshaft sensor cannot process the signal values from the crankshaft transmitter due to an improper firmware level. The firmware does not compensate sufficiently the temperature gradients and the magnetic field strength of the sensor electronic. If the crankshaft sensor cannot process the signal values from the transmitter the Digital Diesel Electronic (DDE) will notice that and change to the emergency operation mode. The emergency mode will be displayed by the check control message engine malfunction . The driver may notice a rough running engine and a reduced driving power (70%). However an engine stalling during driving conditions cannot be excluded.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the crankshaft sensor will be replaced with a new version.
EU Safety GateWater may come into contact with the starter relay and gradually cause corrosion.This could affect the electrical connection inside the relay and make the engine difficult to start. It may also result in a short circuit and could cause the starter to overheat leading to a fire when the vehicle is in motion or when it is parked with the ignition off.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time.If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time.If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe propellant in the driver airbag can deteriorate due to high humidity and temperature variations.In the event of an accident in which the airbag deploys, this could result in fragments from the inflator casing coming loose and injuring the vehicle’s occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 29/06/2021
EU Safety GateThe bolt on the outside of the seat mechanism of both front seats may not have been properly secured.If the bolt comes loose, the seat can move backwards in the event of a rear-end collision accident, which would increase the risk of injury to the occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2018 BMW 4 Series fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2018, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2018 BMW 4 Series owners report?
12 of the 34 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Seatbelt alert pops up and noise sounds even when seatbelt is already buckled
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 430I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that there was an unknown liquid leaking underneath the vehicle. The coolant warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a leak in the water pump and that the water pump needed to be replaced. The contact researched and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure…
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 430I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was driven to a local parking lot and then to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant pump failure. The contact was informed that the coolant pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the coolant pump was previously replaced and covered under an unknown recall repair a year prior to the failure. The…
I pulled out onto Southside Blvd. My brakes failed, my driver’s front of the car hit a Waste Management garbage truck right back tire and cut the sidewall of the tire. The engine was racing, the truck pulled off the road, and I had sudden unintended acceleration. I immediately turned into a strip center and my car was racing through the strip center, the brakes were not working, the car controls were not working, and I turned the ignition switch off and the car stopped. The car had to be towed. Presently my insurance company has issued an estimate to repair the cosmetic issues, but not the…
Front driver seat , keep sliding when u hit on breaks on the left legs where seat controls are located the balance between right thigh and left thigh is not well measured so becomes increasingly uncomfortable when thicker person driving the car, could cause an accident and risky, Engine problem - so many coolant leak which has cost me over 6000 dollars to repair and yet Still leaking, when I switch to spot mode this coolant overheat and thrn Another leaking, switch to sports plus more coolant leak Second the seat belt holder, a system is design to hand over the seat belt when doors close the…
In Oct 2022, I was driving normally and suddenly got a message on the dash saying something like "Coolant low, please top up when you have a chance". A minute or so later, I got the red warning "Engine Overheated, turn off engine when safe" and it went into limp mode, and I pulled over immediately and had to flatbed my car to a dealer. Then told me there was a coolant leak (which I was not aware and there was no error message regarding coolant prior to the incident.) And they told me there was a recall on my vehicle coolant vent line. Although I had check NHTSA website frequently and did not…
When I cold started the car it rattled and shook, this stopped and the car was fine to drive. When I was on the road the cars check engine light came on and the car suddenly slowed down. An error popped up saying that there is a “powertrain malfunction”. BMW dealership said that it is a failure in VANOS system. There was a recall on other BMW models expect mine, 2018 BMW 4 series.
CAR WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 80 MILES COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON CAR DROPPED SPEED TO 30 MILES PER HOUR ON ITS OWN
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 430I. The contact stated that while driving with the front driver's side seat belt buckled, the seat belt failed to restrain as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that the front driver's side seat belt failed to retract when unbuckled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was provided an estimate to repair the front driver's side seat belt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact there would be no assistance because the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V507000 (Seat…
- My car started having intermittent electrical issues. The first warning something was wrong was always the cars instrument cluster would start flashing, and the audio system would also drop in and out. Then later other malfunctions would start to show up on the center Nav Screen, some of the warnings are listed here : ○ Audio/speakers would cut out randomly while listening to music ○ Air Conditioning instrument cluster display lights would flash going in and out ○ “Parking assistance malfunction” warnings ○ "Increased Steering effort required" warnings (one time the steering locked while…
The contact owned a 2018 BMW 440i. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a donkey. There were no airbags deployed upon impact. The windshield glass shattered and hit the contact's face. Her boyfriend's knees hit and cracked the passenger's side dashboard, and her daughter sustained bruises on her right side from hitting the passenger's side rear door; however, no medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and…
My husband bought a BMW through the military sales program, had it delivered to the United States, and we took it with us to Germany where we currently live. The car is made to U.S. specifications and I had been driving the car weekly in Germany to keep the battery running while he is away on a deployment. On April 11, 2022, as soon as I pressed the ignition button, the dashboard flashed a strange indicator light which I didn't have time to examine because my attention was immediately diverted when a metal bar next to the right rear headrest deployed from inside the seat and punched through…
2018 BMW 4 Series: questions owners ask
Is the 2018 BMW 4 Series reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW 4 Series; the most common categories were engine (10, 29.4%), engine and engine cooling (7, 20.6%), electrical system (6, 17.6%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 5 complaints mention a crash, 2 mention a fire, 9 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 BMW 4 Series?
Across 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (29.4% of complaints), engine and engine cooling (20.6% of complaints), electrical system (17.6% of complaints), seat belts (11.8% of complaints), seats (8.8% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2018 BMW 4 Series have any recalls?
As of October 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2018 BMW 4 Series. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2018 BMW 4 Series overheat?
8 of the 34 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 BMW 4 Series (23.5%) describe the engine overheating or coolant loss. One owner wrote: "My BMW 430i 2018showed no warning and suddenly the car started to shake, I stopped immediately and after the car cooled, there was no coolant, the oil temperature gage was always on normal." (NHTSA complaint 11580162, March 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2018 BMW 4 Series stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
4 of the 34 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 BMW 4 Series (11.8%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "My vehicle erupted in a fire on 06/29/22. My vehicle had all of its services. It was shooting out random messages. Then ultimately completely lost power. My car filled with smoke and I seen flames coming from underneath the hood." (NHTSA complaint 11471925, June 2022). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does the seat belt not latch or retract properly in my 2018 BMW 4 Series?
4 of the 34 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 BMW 4 Series (11.8%) describe seat belts not latching, retracting or locking. One owner wrote: "The front seat driver seatbelt does not retract. dealer replaced mechanism and new product is worse. the seatbelt does not retract properly and hangs as well as gets caught in the door causing damage to surrounding interior." (NHTSA complaint 11391032, February 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own 4 Series
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2018 only.