Research · Subcompact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2018 BMW 2 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints for the 2018 BMW 2 Series. Most complaints involve engine (2) and electrical system (1). The EPA rates it 22–28 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
22–28mpg
EPA · 11 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jul 2018
Owner complaints
5
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,750est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BMW expanded the recall to a total of 5,309 vehicles including certain 2018-2019 BMW 540d xDrive, 230i M240i, M240i xDrive, X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 330i, 330i xDrive, 340i, 340i xDrive, 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 530e, 530e xDrive, 640i xDrive Gran Turismo, 330e, 2019 430i Gran Coupe, 430i xDrive Gran Coupe, 440i Gran Coupe, 440i xDrive Gran Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, 740i, 740i xDrive, MINI Cooper, Cooper S, JCW, MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), and MINI Clubman (Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, JCW All4) vehicles.

Engine and engine coolingReported Jul 12, 2018NHTSA 18V465000

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive, M2, and X3 xDrive 30i SAV vehicles. These vehicles may have an error in the software for the instrument panel, causing the display to not properly illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."

Electrical systemReported Nov 15, 2017NHTSA 17V719000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

5 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2018 – Jan 2024
  1. Engine2
  2. Electrical system1
  3. Exterior lighting1
  4. Wheels1
  5. Fuel/propulsion system1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 2 Series model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201412
20155
201626
20179
20185
20252
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

2 reports
“The coolant pipe from the engine cylinder head to the coolant reservoir broke unexpectedly which left us stranded on a narrow shoulder on the side of a busy highway with cars streaming by at high speed. A warning lamp directed us not to drive. Our safety was absolutely put at risk obviously. We had it towed to the closest shop doing BMWs. We had it fixed at significant expense. 5 months later, received a letter from BMW (see attached) wrote us admitting they had found this defect and were offering to replace the defective equipment at their cost if we brought it to the dealer. I called their customer service line who directed me to visit their nearest dealership an hour away and if the work we paid for was done correctly they would reimburse us. We drove and had the Dealer's mechanics verified that the work was done correctly. They referred to it as a RECALL on the verification paperwork.(see attached) I submitted the paperwork to BMW verifying the work was done and the invoice we paid. They responded a few days later, rejecting our request for reimbursement. They wouldn't even give us the amount it would have cost them to fix it. They called it a "SERVICE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2023EngineODI 11519883

Electrical system

1 report
“2018 BMW M240i - no sound from radio, or any aux input. May be blown amplifier. Extremely loud crackling sound, intermitent sound.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 25, 2024Electrical systemODI 11567777

Exterior lighting

1 report
“Each of the two LED taillights have failed. The right rear LED turn signal failed in the Spring of 2022 when the car had approximately 12,000 miles of use and the left rear LED turn signal failed in the Fall of 2023 when the car had approximately 15,000 miles of use.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2023Exterior lightingODI 11557543
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

11 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
230i Coupe
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
243528$2,750318
230i Convertible
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
243427$2,850324
230i xDrive Convertible
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
233327$2,850333
230i xDrive Coupe
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
243327$2,850325
230i Coupe
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
213225$3,100360
M240i Convertible
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
213024$3,200362
M240i Coupe
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
213024$3,200362
M240i xDrive Convertible
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
213024$3,200365
M240i xDrive Coupe
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
213024$3,200365
M240i Convertible
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
182722$3,500411
M240i Coupe
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
192822$3,500401
  • 230i Coupe
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 35 hwy · $2,750/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • 230i Convertible
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 34 hwy · $2,850/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • 230i xDrive Convertible
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 33 hwy · $2,850/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • 230i xDrive Coupe
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,850/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • 230i Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 32 hwy · $3,100/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • M240i Convertible
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 30 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • M240i Coupe
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 30 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • M240i xDrive Convertible
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 30 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • M240i xDrive Coupe
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 30 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • M240i Convertible
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • M240i Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 BMW 2 Series as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 12517Vehicle 12516Vehicle 12514
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2018 2 Series questions

How many recalls does the 2018 BMW 2 Series have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2018 BMW 2 Series problems?

Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (2), electrical system (1), exterior lighting (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 BMW 2 Series get?

The EPA rates the 2018 BMW 2 Series at 22–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (11 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026