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2018 BMW 2 Series

Gas

Subcompact Cars
11 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26

Safety Signal

89 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

RecallsNHTSA campaigns 2

Complaintsnone reporting a crash, fire or injury 7

Crash ratingnot rated by NHTSA —

Fuel economybest combined, EPA 28 mpg

2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

The 2018 BMW 2 Series is sold in the U.S. as a gas coupe with 11 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 230i Coupe, is EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 7 complaints, most often about the engine.

BMW 2 Series — photograph via Wikimedia Commons — BMW 2 Series · Photo: Calreyn88 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
230i Coupe	Gas	RWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	24	35	28	$2,950
230i Convertible	Gas	RWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	24	34	27	$3,050
230i xDrive Convertible	Gas	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	23	33	27	$3,050
230i xDrive Coupe	Gas	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	24	33	27	$3,050
230i Coupe	Gas	RWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	21	32	25	$3,300
M240i Convertible	Gas	RWD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	21	30	24	$3,400
M240i Coupe	Gas	RWD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	21	30	24	$3,400
M240i xDrive Convertible	Gas	AWD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	21	30	24	$3,400
M240i xDrive Coupe	Gas	AWD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	21	30	24	$3,400
M240i Convertible	Gas	RWD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	18	27	22	$3,750
M240i Coupe	Gas	RWD	3.0L 6-cyl turbo	19	28	22	$3,750

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39113, 39114, 39115, 39218, 39285, 39119, 39116, 39121, 39118, 39120.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates

Configuration	Smog rating	Emission standard	Where it can be sold new	SmartWay
230i Convertible, 230i Coupe, 230i xDrive Coupe	7 / 10	Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 / California LEV-III SULEV30	All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards	—
230i xDrive Convertible	7 / 10	California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30	All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards	—
M240i Convertible, M240i Coupe, M240i xDrive Convertible, M240i xDrive Coupe	3 / 10	California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125	All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards	—
M240i Convertible, M240i Coupe	3 / 10	Federal Tier 3 Bin 125 / California LEV-III ULEV125	All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards	—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body style	Coupe
Doors	2
GVWR class	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Cylinders	6
Displacement	3 L

Engine Output

Horsepower

335 hp

Fuel Economy

Fuel	Gasoline

Seating

Seat rows	2
Seating capacity	4 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain	AWD/All-Wheel Drive
Transmission	Automatic
Transmission speeds	8

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Backup camera, Electronic stability control

Optional: Adaptive cruise control, Automatic emergency braking, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Parking assist

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: 2-Series, xDrive). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada

Length	174.4 in
Width (body, without mirrors)	69.7 in
Height	55.5–55.9 in
Wheelbase	105.5–105.9 in
Track, front	59.8 in
Track, rear	60.2–61.4 in
Curb weight	3,499–4,065 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear	50/50 to 54/46

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 7 configurations: 230I 2-door Coupe RWD, 230I xDrive 2-door Cabriolet, 230I xDrive 2-door Coupe, M240I 2-door Cabriolet RWD, M240I 2-door Coupe RWD, M240I xDrive 2-door Cabriolet …. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database

▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

5,309 vehicles 98% reported repaired built May 18, 2018 – Jun 7, 2018

Problem 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, 440 Risk A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash. Fix 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.

Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 18V465000 reported Jul 11, 2018 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

○minor

Electrical System

3,188 vehicles 96% reported repaired built Feb 22, 2017 – Oct 17, 2017

Problem 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." Risk If the display does not illuminate during start up or does not illuminate various control and warning symbols while driving, it can increase the risk of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster display software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 17V719000 reported Nov 15, 2017 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf. Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a subst

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific 2 Series

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2018 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. BMW publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →BMW’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2018 BMW 2 Series, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

7complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

11 per 10,000 built · BMW reported 6,330 2 Series built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2018: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Engine 3

Exterior Lighting 2

Fuel/Propulsion System 1

Wheels 1

Electrical System 1

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

oil filter/coolant housing fail at 69,00 miles. Dumped coolant and got quoted for an expensive mechanic fix $4000

Engine May 15, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11738103

The daytime running lights (DRL) LED module overheated due to poor thermal design burning the connection point and turning the"angel eyes" amber, yellow. When the LED module overheats, it chars and browns the leading edge of the internal fiber optic light tube which permanently alters the refracted light color from crisp white to…

Exterior Lighting Aug 10, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11756072

2018 BMW M240i - no sound from radio, or any aux input. May be blown amplifier. Extremely loud crackling sound, intermitent sound

Electrical System Jan 25, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11567777

I have a 2018 2 series xdrive convertible with 18' pirelli run flat tires. This is my second 2 series. I have had 6 of these tires blow due to potholes over the two cars I have had over 4 years. The last one that blew was on friday on i65 just south of louisville. I had to wait 4 hours for tow truck to take it to Bmw of louisville.

Wheels at 12,000 miles Dec 17, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11383876

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.

Engine May 1, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11519883

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

Exterior Lighting Nov 29, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11557543

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by BMW itself: 1 death-or-injury claim on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 1 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 16 per 100,000 built. Every 2 Series model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications

Extended coverage on file 3 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

15 years or 150,000 miles · BMW warranty extension 1390900300For this vehicle, the EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles, from the original 10 years/120,000 miles…
Term not in NHTSA’s summary · BMW warranty extension B010224Evap system purge (vent) valve EXT LTD WTY (ELW) 15/150
15 years or 150,000 miles · BMW bulletin B011423Pressure control valve (PCV) extended LTD WTY 15 YEARS/150,000 miles

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every BMW warranty extension (46) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 337

Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-06-26

Kindsas classified by NHTSA 333 service bulletins, 4 warranty extensions

Most often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Engine, Equipment Adaptive/Mobility, Visibility/Wiper.

B010224 Warranty extension
2026-06-26 · Engine
The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
B010224 Warranty extension
2026-05-05 · Engine
The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.
B512022 Service bulletin
2024-07-15 · Unknown Or Other
While driving on rough roads, a cracking sound is heard coming from the headliner area.
B010224 Warranty extension
2024-05-02 · Engine
EVAP SYSTEM PURGE (VENT) VALVE EXT LTD WTY (ELW) 15/150
B611305 Service bulletin
2024-01-11 · Electrical System
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.
B360121 Service bulletin
2024-01-08 · Steering
At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. This can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the video. See attached video V36 01 21.
B612123 Service bulletin
2023-11-16 · Steering
The steering wheel heating takes a long time to achieve the desired temperature.
B011423 Service bulletin
2023-11-13 · Engine And Engine Cooling
PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE (PCV) EXTENDED LTD WTY 15 YEARS/150,000 MILES

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

New York inspections 1.8%

failed emissions

222 initial inspections of 221 vehicles.

Measure	The 2018 2 Series	Every 2018 vehicle	Behind it
Failed the emissions check	1.8%	3.0%	221
Failed the safety inspection	0.45%	1.9%	222
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit	0%	0.22%	222
Miles driven a year	6,515	10,002	odometer at inspection
Average odometer	53,998	82,833	odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2018 vehicle” is every 2018 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

2 Series by model year

all years, side by side →

Year Safety Recalls Complaints

2027 A^* 0 0 31 mpg 2026 B 2 1 31 mpg 2025 A 0 5 30 mpg 2024 B 2 5 30 mpg 2023 D 4 7 29 mpg 2022 D 4 12 Park outside 2021 C 4 9 28 mpg 2020 B 3 5 27 mpg 2019 A 1 1 28 mpg 2018 this page B 2 7 28 mpg 2017 A 0 14 28 mpg 2016 B 1 26 27 mpg

Common questions about the 2018 2 Series

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2018 BMW 2 Series have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 2 recall campaigns for the 2018 BMW 2 Series. The most serious on file is 18V465000, covering Engine And Engine Cooling. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2018 BMW 2 Series?

NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2018 BMW 2 Series yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it B (89/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2018 BMW 2 Series?

Across the 11 EPA-rated configurations of the 2018 BMW 2 Series, the best EPA combined figure is 28 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2018 BMW 2 Series?

Transport Canada measured it at 174.4 in long, 69.7 in wide (body, without mirrors), 55.5–55.9 in tall, on a 105.5–105.9 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,499–4,065 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2018 BMW 2 Series?

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW 2 Series, most often about engine, exterior lighting, fuel/propulsion system. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2018 BMW 2 Series?

The EPA smog rating for the 2018 BMW 2 Series runs 3 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, California LEV-III ULEV125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2018 BMW 2 Series?

The manufacturer has filed 337 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2018 BMW 2 Series, most often covering equipment, electrical system, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-06-26. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2018 BMW 2 Series do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 BMW 2 Series failed the emissions check on 1.8% of first inspections — lower than the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.45% (every 2018 vehicle: 1.9%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

Data	Held	Source	What it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations	11 configurations	EPA certification records	Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates	11 configurations	EPA emission certificates	Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls	2	NHTSA recall campaigns	A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints	7	NHTSA complaint database	Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings	none	NHTSA NCAP	NHTSA has not tested this model year. Cars are selected for testing, so untested is not unsafe.
Service bulletins	337	NHTSA manufacturer communications	Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations	1	NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation	Open and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reports	none	NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01	No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA	12 fields	NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns	What the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions	7 fields	Transport Canada, Canadian Vehicle Specifications	Length, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipment	none	Manufacturer press kit	We have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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