2018 BMW M3 reliability
The 2018 BMW M3 has 9 complaints with NHTSA after 9 years, or 1 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 10 M3 years on this site. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
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9
The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (6 of 9), then Engine (2) and Electrical system (1). Those filings include 1 that reports a fire.
The 2017 M3 has 3 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2021 has 3 complaints, 0 per year. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2021.
The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2018 BMW M3. How we count. Data as of .
Recalls (0)
No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Complaints by component (9 total)
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1
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Complaints filed per year
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
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"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…"
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"- 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…"
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"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…"
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"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."
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"After filling gas tank a strong aroma of gasoline was noticeable. This happened three successive times."
NHTSA crash ratings
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 BMW M3 4 DR RWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.
Fuel economy
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 | 3L, 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | Rear-wheel drive | 17 | 24 | 20 MPG | $4000 |
| M3 | 3L, 6-cyl | Manual 6-speed | Rear-wheel drive | 17 | 25 | 20 MPG | $4000 |
| M3 CS | 3L, 6-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | Rear-wheel drive | 16 | 22 | 19 MPG | $4200 |
Specs and fitment
Known issues for this generation
Recall 15V782000 covers certain 2015-2016 M3 Sedan vehicles (with M4 Coupe and Convertible; 42 units total) whose driveshaft slip-joint may lack grease and fail over time, causing loss of power to the rear axle; dealers inspect and replace the driveshaft as needed. Recall 16V653000 covers certain 2015-2017 M3 Sedan vehicles (with M2 Coupe and M4 Coupe/ Convertible; 196 units total) where rear sub-frame bolts reused during a prior differential service action may loosen and affect handling; dealers install new bolts. Both campaigns’ unit counts include the other M models named in NHTSA’s summaries.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 BMW M3 reliable?
The 2018 BMW M3 has 9 complaints with NHTSA after 9 years, or 1 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 10 M3 years on this site. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
What are common problems with a 2018 BMW M3?
The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (6 of 9), then Engine (2) and Electrical system (1). Those filings include 1 that reports a fire.
Is the 2018 BMW M3 more reliable than the years next to it?
The 2017 M3 has 3 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2021 has 3 complaints, 0 per year. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2021.
Has the 2018 BMW M3 been recalled?
NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2018 BMW M3.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 BMW M3?
Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2018 BMW M3 with NHTSA.
What mpg does a 2018 BMW M3 get?
EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2018 BMW M3 is 19.7 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.
What oil does a BMW M3 use?
Viscosity depends on generation: late E90 models use 10W-60 (about 9.3 qt on the S65 V8), F80 uses 0W-30 (about 6.9 qt on the S55), and G80 specs cite 0W-30 with generation-specific capacity—confirm in the manual.
What are typical BMW M3 tire sizes?
Staggered fitments are common—for example 245/40ZR18 front and 265/40ZR18 rear on late E90, 255/40ZR18 and 275/40ZR18 on F80, with optional 19-inch sizes; always match the placard for your M3 year.
What NHTSA recalls mention the BMW M3?
Campaigns on file include 20V-017 (Takata driver air bag on many 2008-2013 BMW cars including late E90 M3), 15V-782 and 16V-653 (F80 driveshaft and rear sub-frame bolts with small shared M3/M4 unit counts).