RoadVitals

2018 BMW X3 Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Apr 14, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
11%
of 72 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2018 BMW X3 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureElectrical
Filed Apr 14, 2026

The sunroof drains of the vehicle become easily clogged. When this happens, water drains into the battery compartment and interior of the vehicle. Although BMW is aware of this, and the attendant danger of having water pooling in the battery compartment, they have not addressed the issue. There are no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the problem.

NHTSA ID
11731138
Incident
Aug 1, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Dec 14, 2024

my car has a recall, and dealer told me it can not be solved. for this reason, I can not rent my car in Turo due to incomplete recall, and I also have safety concerns

NHTSA ID
11630740
Incident
Aug 13, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Nov 15, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V534000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11625420
Incident
Nov 15, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Oct 22, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V534000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11621371
Incident
Oct 22, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Sep 25, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V534000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11616375
Incident
Aug 15, 2024
Body & structure
Filed May 19, 2023

I am writing to report a potential safety problem with my 2018 BMW X3, VIN: (provide VIN here if available), that was purchased in May 2018 and has covered 36,000 miles since then. The vehicle has always been garaged and well-maintained. A few weeks ago, I experienced a critical malfunction with the vehicle's moonroof. I opened it normally, but it failed to close afterwards. I should note that this was merely the 4th or 5th time I have ever operated the moonroof since the car was purchased. As of now, the moonroof remains in the open position unable to close it even manually. With summer on the horizon, the interior of the car is exposed to direct sunlight and increasing temperatures. This situation raises significant concerns for my family, particularly the potential health risks to my 7-year-old daughter due to prolonged exposure to excessive heat and sunlight. Upon experiencing this issue, I contacted the service department for troubleshooting. The technicians diagnosed the issue as a problem with the interior sunshade motor, an electrical issue that necessitates a labor-intensive process to fix, including the removal of the vehicle's headliner. Subsequently, I reached out to BMW North America, seeking support and resolution for this significant malfunction. To my disappointment, they declined to acknowledge the problem or offer any assistance towards remediation. This response was unexpected and unsatisfactory, considering the potential health risks and safety concerns the malfunctioning moonroof poses to occupants of the vehicle. I respectfully request your department to investigate this matter and take appropriate action to protect the safety and wellbeing of consumers who may be dealing with similar issues. This may well represent a widespread manufacturing defect that could affect numerous vehicles of the same make and model, thereby posing substantial risks to a large number of people. Thank you for your attention to this matter. The contact stated that the manufacturer initially told them that th

NHTSA ID
11522928
Incident
May 15, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Mar 17, 2021

THE VEHICLE'S REAR LIFTGATE HAS OPENED RANDOMLY SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT NOTICE OR WITHOUT INPUT FROM THE USER. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE REAR LIFTGATE OPENED SUDDENLY. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT WAS A BUSY PARKING LOT AND OUR DOG WAS IN THE CAR AND BEGAN TO JUMP OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE JUMPED INTO MOVING TRAFFIC. ANOTHER INCIDENT OCCURRED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNLOCKED AND UNOCCUPIED. WE NOTICED THAT THE HATCH HAD OPENED BY ITSELF AT SOME POINT WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM ANYONE. I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT FOR AN ADDITIONAL INCIDENT TO OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE INJURY OR DEATH OF AN OCCUPANT, HUMAN OR OTHERWISE. OUR VEHICLE IS OUTFITTED WITH A FACTOR TOW HITCH SO WE BELIEVE THAT THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF HANDS-FREE LIFTGATE OPENING WITH A 'KICK' MOTION. WE DO NOT KNOW IF THE SENSORS FOR THIS FEATURE ARE STILL INSTALLED BUT DISABLED AND/OR IF THEY BECAME ENABLED BY MISTAKE THROUGH A SOFTWARE UPDATE AT THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID
11403480
Incident
Mar 16, 2021
Mileage
31,380 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 17, 2019

UNCOMMANDED OPENING OF THE REAR HATCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON MD ROUTE 29 NEAR THE ROUTE 175 INTERSECTION. THE SECOND WAS ON GOSHEN VIEW DR GAITHERSBURG MD. THE THIRD AND FOURTH WERE ON GOSHEN RD, GAITHERSBURG MD.

NHTSA ID
11232794
Incident
Jul 17, 2019
Mileage
15,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .