NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 BMW M3 Recalls & Complaints

The 2018 BMW M3 has no NHTSA recall campaigns and 9 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2018 BMW M3. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2018 BMW M3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW M3, describing incidents dated March 30, 2019 to August 5, 2026.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 6 complaints
Engine 2 complaints
Unknown or Other 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint

Of the 9 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11759039 · Filed August 24, 2026
While driving, suddenly, with no warning smoke came from under the hood. I got off the road and turned off car immediately. Luckily, since I did turn off the car so quickly, it did not burst into flames but did create a fire within the engine. I have video of fire damage and BMW quote on repair…
ODI #11608984 · Filed August 16, 2024
- Fuel tank started slowly leaking fuel after filling tank up to full, only discovered after driving back home and noticing a strong smell of fuel. Repair records are with BMW of Sherman Oaks, CA. - Leaking fuel caused my garage to fill with strong odor of fuel which is unsafe as well as posing an…
ODI #11597225 · Filed June 27, 2024
2018 M3 gas tank has cracked on the top and gas slushes around and leaks out. I filled up my tank and gas started leaking from the bottom. 2015-2016 BMW covers it but mine is made in 2017 has the same issue but no recall. This is very dangerous because it’s gas related.

Read all 9 complaints

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2018 BMW M3 as of November 3, 2026. New recalls can be issued at any time, so check the specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before buying.

2018 BMW M3 4 DR RWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional) Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

9 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 BMW M3.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11759039

Fire

Incident: August 5, 2026 · Filed: August 24, 2026

While driving, suddenly, with no warning smoke came from under the hood. I got off the road and turned off car immediately. Luckily, since I did turn off the car so quickly, it did not burst into flames but did create a fire within the engine. I have video of fire damage and BMW quote on repair stating fire damage. As in the past with BMW, there is a documented history of PCV-heater fires. NHTSA Recall 22V-119 states the BMW PCV valve heaters can short circuit, overheat and cause a fire.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11608984

Incident: August 3, 2024 · Filed: August 16, 2024

- Fuel tank started slowly leaking fuel after filling tank up to full, only discovered after driving back home and noticing a strong smell of fuel. Repair records are with BMW of Sherman Oaks, CA. - Leaking fuel caused my garage to fill with strong odor of fuel which is unsafe as well as posing an extremely dangerous fire hazard with the exposed fuel leaking to the ground.\ - BMW Dealership inspected, verified no foul play and repaired the faulty part. - A CEL was displayed after which I shortly made a service appointment at BMW. It wasn't until filling the tank to full that I noticed the issue. As myself and others suspect, the leak could be due to the material that was used to construct the fuel tank, which is a plastic welding. My car only had ~21,000 before experiencing this issue and the replacement tank is of the same exact kind, so I expect this issue was not remediated by BMW and will probably experience this again.

Unknown or Other; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11597225

Incident: June 21, 2024 · Filed: June 27, 2024

2018 M3 gas tank has cracked on the top and gas slushes around and leaks out. I filled up my tank and gas started leaking from the bottom. 2015-2016 BMW covers it but mine is made in 2017 has the same issue but no recall. This is very dangerous because it’s gas related.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11550627

Incident: October 16, 2023 · Filed: October 18, 2023

Forgot to include on initial complaint that cracked gas tank was identified by dealer. There was a previous NHTSA recall for the same platform, but did not include the 2018 model year.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11550617

Incident: October 16, 2023 · Filed: October 18, 2023

After filling gas tank a strong aroma of gasoline was noticeable. This happened three successive times.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11537054

Incident: July 21, 2023 · Filed: August 7, 2023

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Fuel tank rubber gasket failed How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Leaks large amount of fuel and can cause a fire or explosion Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes BMW technician looked over the repair. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lights

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11534711

Incident: July 20, 2023 · Filed: July 27, 2023

Fuel tank started leaking gasoline on the driver's side of the car. I only noticed because of the strong smell of gasoline and slipping a puddle of gas. I feel that my safety was at risk if I was to drive around with gasoline leaking out of the car that could have caused an explosion. I took the car to the dealership and the dealership will not cover the repair even though there is an emission warranty on the older versions of this car that have the same fuel tank issue. There was no warning light.

Power Train; Engine

ODI #11289976

Incident: December 17, 2019 · Filed: December 18, 2019

CRANK HUB WILL BE PRONE TO SPIN AND THEREFORE WILL DESTROY ENGINE WHICH WILL REQUIRE A FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *TR

Unknown or Other

ODI #11193822

Incident: March 30, 2019 · Filed: April 4, 2019

HELLO, I HAVE A 2018 BMW M3 THAT IS ABOUT 12 MONTHS OLD. THERE WAS A SIRIUS XM (SATELLITE RADIO) TRIAL PERIOD OF 1 YEAR, AND NOW THAT IT IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE, THERE IS AN ADVERTISEMENT IN MY NAVIGATION WINDOW THAT COMES UP EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE CAR, THAT HAS TO BE CLEARED VIA PRESSING "OK" OR ELSE IT DOESN'T GO AWAY. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT IF I TURN ON THE CAR AND GO INTO REVERSE, THE REVERSE CAMERA WILL SHOW BUT GETS INTERRUPTED BY THE SIRIUS XM ADVERTISEMENT, AND DOESN'T COME BACK UNTIL THE ADVERTISEMENT TO RENEW IS MANUALLY CLEARED OUT. I ALMOST REVERSED OVER A PEDESTRIAN IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME. I HAVE SPOKEN TO BMW AND SIRIUS AND BOTH PARTIES POINT FINGERS AT THE OTHER SIDE, ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM IS DEFINITELY A BMW PROBLEM. CHECK THIS FORUM FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS - HTTPS://F80.BIMMERPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=1450130 THE WORST PART ABOUT THIS IS THAT BMW IS SAYING THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY-COVERED ISSUE AND THAT I NEED TO PAY MY BMW SERVICE SHOP $188 TO HAVE THEM "DIAGNOSE" THE PROBLEM. THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY. I BELIEVE THE IMPETUS FOR THIS "HOTFIX" CAN BE FROM AN AGENCY SUCH AS YOURSELF. THANK YOU.

Other BMW M3 model years

Check your 2018 BMW M3 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW M3 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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