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Transport Canada + NRCan

2018 BMW 3 Series

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

7

6 current

Combined

—

Fuel, a year

—

Not rated by NRCan

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs are almost always free. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number. Transport Canada’s own wording is that a manufacturer “will almost always make these repairs free of charge”, so being asked to pay for recall work is unusual and worth questioning. Since 2018 the Minister of Transport can order a company to pay for repairs so owners do not bear the cost.

Electrical

Transport Canada recall 2026332 · manufacturer campaign 12 83 26RC / 12 84 26RC

8 July 2026

Transport Canada lists: 3 Series 2016–2018 · 5 Series 2018–2020 · 7 Series 2017–2019

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, water could leak into the starter relay and cause it to corrode. If this happens, the relay could short circuit and the starter could overheat. Note: This recall only affects plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models.

Why it matters

A short circuit and/or a starter that overheats can create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.

What the dealer will do

To reduce the safety risk, BMW advises that you should park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been completed. BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the engine starter.

766 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2025560 · manufacturer campaign 11 82 25RC

15 October 2025

Transport Canada lists: 3 Series 2018

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler could crack internally and leak. If this happens, you may notice the following symptoms: a warning symbol in the instrument cluster displaying a loss of coolant, reduced engine power, an unpleasant exhaust odour, an unusual noise from the engine and/or smoke from the engine compartment. Note: This recall is an expansion of Transport Canada recall no. 2021-711.

Why it matters

A cracked EGR cooler could create the risk of an engine fire.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the EGR cooler. The dealer will also inspect and, if necessary, replace the intake manifold.

44 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2021711 · manufacturer campaign 11 84/85/86/87 21RC

19 November 2021

Transport Canada lists: 3 Series 2014–2018 · 5 Series 2014–2016 · 7 Series 2015 · X3 2015–2017 · and 1 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler could crack internally and leak. If this happens, you may notice the following symptoms: a warning symbol in the instrument cluster displaying a loss of coolant, reduced engine power, an unpleasant exhaust odour, an unusual noise from the engine and/or smoke from the engine compartment. Note: This recall replaces Transport Canada Recall no. 2018-587.

Why it matters

A cracked EGR cooler could create the risk of an engine fire.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the EGR cooler. The dealer will also inspect the intake manifold, and replace it, if necessary.

12,702 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Fuel System

Transport Canada recall 2021469 · manufacturer campaign 13 80 21RC

29 July 2021

Transport Canada lists: 3 Series 2014–2018 · 5 Series 2014–2016 · X3 2015–2016 · X5 2014–2018

What is wrong

On certain vehicles equipped with a diesel engine, the high-pressure fuel pump may wear prematurely. This can cause reduced engine performance and could lead to a sudden engine stall. Note: A warning lamp on the instrument cluster will turn on if the fuel pressure drops.

Why it matters

A loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the high-pressure fuel pump.

3,486 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2018497

13 September 2018

Transport Canada lists: 2 Series 2018 · 3 Series 2018 · 4 Series 2019 · 5 Series 2018 · and 10 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, a crankshaft sensor error may cause the engine to stall. This would result in a loss of motive power, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor. Note: This condition would result in the illumination of the check engine warning lamp and an “engine malfunction” message appearing in the instrument cluster. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2018-373.

1,313 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2018428

15 August 2018

Transport Canada lists: 2 Series 2019 · 3 Series 2018–2019 · 4 Series 2019

What is wrong

Certain vehicles may have been built with a defective passenger front airbag. This could cause the airbag not to deploy properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the passenger front airbag.

55 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2018 BMW 3 Series and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

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Common questions

Does the 2018 BMW 3 Series have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 7 recalls on record for the 2018 BMW 3 Series. Recall repairs are almost always free at a manufacturer dealer.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 6 August 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. These are average residential rates. A car’s charging is added on top of what your home already uses, so on a tiered, time-of-use or subsidised tariff it is billed at your top rate rather than this average — which makes the real cost higher, especially in the territories. Enter your own rate for an accurate figure. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.