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2018 BMW M4 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2018 BMW M4 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 1safety recall
- 6owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 12%fail the UK MOT
6 complaints, against an average of 7 for the other 5 BMW M4 model years.
Every BMW M4 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2018 BMW M4?
The components named most often in the 6 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2018 BMW M4 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 6 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2018 BMW M4 been recalled?
1 U.S. safety recall. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Seat Belts: Front BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, and M4 convertible vehicles. The Emergency Locking Retractors (ELR) within the front seat belt assemblies may have been produced with incompatible vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism housings.
Risk: If the vehicle has an incompatible vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism, the seat belt may not restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary replace, the front seat belt assemblies, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Is the 2018 BMW M4 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 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 DVSAFront seat fixing mechanism may be insecure
Risk: Due to a fault in the supplier's production process the bolt on the outer side of the seat mechanism on both front seats might not have been fixed properly. In cases where the bolt loosens the customer would be alerted by noise coming from the seat and a noticeable increase in seat clearance/movement. If this is ignored by the customer the securing bolt on the outer side of the seat might come off. If the securing bolt comes off the seat can move backwards in a rear end crash situation.
Fix: The bolt on the seat mechanism will be checked for excessive clearance and if necessary replaced.
EU Safety GateDefective hydraulic unit of the braking system may cause a limited braking support and increased braking distance.Moreover, in such cases the ABS system would not be available. This will lead to increased risk of an accident.
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 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 M4 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 M4 owners report?
5 of the 6 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.
The contact owns a 2018 BMW M4. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera became inoperable, preventing the contact from safely reversing the vehicle. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V684000 (Back Over Prevention) as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,000.
The fuel tank was leaking a substantial amount of fuel. Yes it is. Our safety was put at risk due to the fuel leak. Any small spark, overheating or if somebody threw a cigarette butt out of their window could have ignited our car. BMW informed me to immediately cease driving the car and bring to the dealership right away. Problem was confirmed by dealership as stated on the attached invoice. No, no warning or indicator lights were present.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Fuel Tank on my BMW under 50k miles started leaking after a fill up. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I didn't notice any leaks at the gas station but once I got home, pulled in my garage I noticed the smell of fuel, figured I just spilled a bit. I left my car to go get ready, once I came back the garage was filled with gas fumes. I looked under the car and saw a decently large puddle under the driver side. I live in Texas where it was quite warm that day. I could've…
Fuel tank was leaking. I brought it in to BMW of San Antonio who found the left side top area of fuel tank leaking fuel from the sealed portion. Heat caused the top of fuel tank to expand and crack. BMW of SA required me to buy a replacement fuel tank. When I said, if I buy the replacement fuel tank, won't this issue keep reoccurring every time it gets hot. The tech advised that BMW was aware of the problem and designed the replacement fuel tanks differently, so that the fuel tanks won't expand and crack in the same manner. I advised BMW of North America requesting they pay for the…
I think the fuel tank has cracked on the upper portion of the tank. I noticed a smell of gas on my way home from filling gas and when I got home I realized there was a puddle of gas sitting underneath my car. I jacked up the car and inspected the underneath and saw nothing, I noticed the gas was leaking from a higher spot, somewhere I couldnt see. Ive read on forums that its happened before to a few other people and someone personal that I know. Yes the car can be inspected upon request. Safety is put at risk because the gar is leaving right next to the exhaust, which can easily catch fire to…
2018 BMW M4: questions owners ask
Is the 2018 BMW M4 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW M4; the most common categories were fuel/propulsion system (4, 66.7%), back over prevention (1, 16.7%), engine (1, 16.7%). There is 1 safety recall.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 BMW M4?
Across 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are fuel/propulsion system (66.7% of complaints), back over prevention (16.7% of complaints), engine (16.7% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2018 BMW M4 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2018 BMW M4; the most recent (campaign 17V507000, 2017-08-16) concerns Seat Belts: Front. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2018 BMW M4 smell of fuel or gas?
4 of the 6 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 BMW M4 (66.7%) describe a fuel or gasoline smell, or a fuel leak. One owner wrote: "The fuel tank was leaking a substantial amount of fuel. Yes it is. Our safety was put at risk due to the fuel leak. Any small spark, overheating or if somebody threw a cigarette butt out of their window could have ignited our car." (NHTSA complaint 11611640, August 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.
Check your own M4
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.