2018 BMW 530i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 BMW 530i has a complaint index of 53, ranking 8th worst out of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. Airbags account for 52% of complaints, mostly passenger restraint system warnings, with 2 recalls on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 53/100
- #8 of 16 530i years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 25
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 23.5 city / 33.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2018 BMW 530i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags13 (52%)
- Seat Belts7 (28%)
- Engine6 (24%)
- Structure & Body5 (20%)
- Other4 (16%)
- Electrical System2 (8%)
- Steering1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Passenger restraint system malfunction warnings appear even when the passenger seat is empty, sometimes tied to moisture sensors.
- Seat belt fasten alerts trigger repeatedly while driving even though the belt is already fastened.
- Steering wheel locked up while driving after dashboard warning lights told the driver to visit a BMW service center.
- Engine suddenly lost power during driving, which owners linked to a Digital Motor Electronics software bug.
- Owners report a vinegar-like smell from the air conditioning system alongside health complaints.
2018 BMW 530i recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V684000Sep 27, 2019Collision Avoidance & Cameras257,473 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
- NHTSA 18V465000Jul 11, 2018Engine5,309 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
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.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2018 BMW 530i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23.5 MPG
- Highway
- 33.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other 530i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 BMW 530i reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 530i a complaint index of 53 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 16 model years of the 530i.
- What is the main problem with the 2018 BMW 530i?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 52% of complaints, mostly passenger restraint system malfunction warnings reported at a median mileage of 3,700.
- Does the 2018 BMW 530i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 530i: one for back-up camera software (campaign 19V684000) and one engine-related campaign originally tied to the 540d xDrive crankshaft sensor (18V465000).
- How does the 2018 530i compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 53 is worse than the 2017 530i (40, Good verdict) but better than years like 2006, 2007, and 2020, which carry Avoid verdicts with indexes of 93, 100, and 87.