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Your vehicleHome›BMW›X1› 2018
BMW · Compact SUV

2018 BMW X1

Gas
Large Cars
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
C
Safety Signal
75 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 4
Complaints6 crash · 2 fire · 6 injured reported 60
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 26 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 BMW X1 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the X1 sDrive28i, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 60 complaints, most often about the structure. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

BMW X1 — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
BMW X1 · Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
X1 sDrive28iGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233226$3,150
X1 xDrive28iGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223125$3,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39177, 39176.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i7 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30All 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 styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2 L

Engine Output

Horsepower228 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

DrivetrainAWD/All-Wheel Drive
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds8

Driver assistance

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

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

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: sDrive28i, xDrive28i). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length174.8 in
Width (body, without mirrors)71.7 in
Height63.4 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Track, front61.4 in
Track, rear61.4 in
Curb weight3,660 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear57/43

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here one configuration: xDrive28I 4-door SUV. 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.

Also on file Beside the 2018 X1
Other years The 2027 X1 Recalls BMW recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 BMW X1 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

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Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Steering

32 vehicles 100% reported repaired built Jul 28, 2017 – Nov 25, 2017
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2019 X2 xDrive28i, MINI Cooper S Convertible, Countryman, and John Cooper Works Countryman vehicles. The steering gear tie rod may have been assembled incorrectly, which may result in excessive wear of the tie rod end, eventually causing it to break. Risk A broken steering tie rod would lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the tie rods and ball joints as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V601000 reported Aug 14, 2019 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Structure

106,182 vehicles 93% reported repaired built Mar 10, 2015 – May 2, 2019
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2019 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles. In the event of a crash where the occupants head contacts the B-pillar, the pillar may not absorb an adequate amount of the impact. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact." Risk In the event of a crash, the insufficient impact absorption can increase the risk of injury. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vertical trim pieces on the upper portion of the interior B-Pillars, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 1, 2019. Second notices will be sent as parts become available, starting on September 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V349000 reported May 9, 2019 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Exterior Lighting

5,920 vehicles 99% reported repaired built Oct 5, 2018 – Jan 18, 2019
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles. Contaminated hardware may cause the attachment brackets of the taillight housings to crack, causing the lights to loosen or possibly detach from the vehicle. Risk If a taillight detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will properly secure the taillights, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V074000 reported Jan 30, 2019 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

5,309 vehicles 98% reported repaired built May 16, 2018 – Jun 6, 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 PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V465000 reported Jul 11, 2018 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 X1

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 X1, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2018 BMW X1

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this X1 →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
60complaints filed

6 involved a crash · 2 a fire · 6 injuries · 0 deaths reported

5.3 per 10,000 built · BMW reported 113,847 X1 built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2018: 4 · 2019: 25 · 2020: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 7 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 7 · 2025: 4 · 2026: 5

Most-cited components

Structure 22
Unspecified 15
Electrical System 8
Engine 8
Air Bags 6
Visibility/Wiper 4

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.

The contact owns a 2018 Bmw X1. The contact's VIN was associated with NHTSA campaign number: 19v349000 (structure). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that the part was not available. A dealer was not contacted.
Structure Jan 2, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11296735
2018 Bmw X1. Consumer writes in regards to occupant protection in interior impact safety recall. The consumer stated the battery failed and was replaced, but made a noises while driving. The doors developed streak lined. The dealer was mad aware of the failure, but stated there was no fix
Electrical System Aug 20, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11244681
The contact owns a 2018 Bmw xi. The contact received an unknown recall notice regarding the vertical trim piece on the seat belts. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted.
Seat Belts Aug 13, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11243754
The contact owns a 2018 Bmw X1. The contact stated that the automatic door latch was malfunctioning. The contact was provided a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 4,600
Latches/Locks/Linkages at 4,600 miles Jan 22, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11171333
On a sunny day, I drived with my family through the highway approximately at 45 miles per hour, sudendly a very strong noise was listed and many small glass pieces fell on US, I stop as fast as possible to review that had beated, the sunroof was destroyed, I did not found any object that would hit US, revising in detail note that the…
Visibility/Wiper Oct 2, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11132925
Very disappointing experience. Hatch back with "kick" open feature randomly hits me on the head while I AM moving things around in the trunk space as I move side to side to rearrange items. AM told I would need to spend $250 to de-activate the "kick open" feature.
Equipment at 1,000 miles Mar 12, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11078705

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: 21 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 23 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 18 per 100,000 built. Every X1 model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 13k

miles, typically

Half the 14 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 5,000 and 49,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

Too few readings for a curve — the 14 on file: 6 under 10k, 4 10k–20k, 1 40k–50k, 1 50k–60k, 1 60k–70k, 1 80k–90k.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆14%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 4 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

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 98
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-06-26
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 93 service bulletins, 5 warranty extensions

Most often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Engine, Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages.

  • 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.
  • B011924 Warranty extension
    2025-01-16 · Electrical System
  • The Telematics Control Units (TCU) Internal Emergency (Backup) Battery for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 6 years without mileage limitation, as determined from the vehicles original first in-service / delivery date. This coverage is subject to the same vehicle eligibility requirements, limitations, and exclusions that apply to the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
  • B01192024 Warranty extension
    2024-12-31 · Electrical System
  • The Telematics Control Units (TCU) Internal Emergency (Backup) Battery for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 6 years without mileage limitation, as determined from the vehicles original first in-service / delivery date.
  • B840324 Service bulletin
    2024-10-12 · Electrical System
  • The “End of life” or “Emergency call system error” Check Control message appears in the vehicle. The following fault memory entry is stored: B7F341 – Emergency battery: Hardware faulty
  • B010224 Warranty extension
    2024-05-02 · Engine
  • EVAP SYSTEM PURGE (VENT) VALVE EXT LTD WTY (ELW) 15/150
  • B640416 Service bulletin
    2024-01-19 · Structure
  • Customer complains of a musty odor or damp front footwell carpet.
  • 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.
  • B521723 Service bulletin
    2024-01-02 · Seats
  • Customer states one of the front seats is inoperative. The seat heater and power supply are inoperative. During the vehicle test, the seat module does not respond. The power supply fuse for the seat module isfound to have blown.

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

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 BMW X1 failed the emissions check on 3.4% of first inspections — close to the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.5% (every 2018 vehicle: 1.9%).

New York inspections 3.4%

failed emissions

1,773 initial inspections of 1,735 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2018 X1Every 2018 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check3.4%3.0%1,764
Failed the safety inspection1.5%1.9%1,773
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.17%0.22%1,773
Miles driven a year8,51910,002odometer at inspection
Average odometer70,45882,833odometer 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).

X1 by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 A* 0 0 28 mpg2026 B 2 1 28 mpg2025 C 3 17 28 mpg2024 C 3 30 28 mpg2023 D 6 70 28 mpg2022 B 2 1 27 mpg2021 A 1 9 27 mpg2020 A 1 13 27 mpg2019 C 3 13 26 mpg2018 this page C 4 60 26 mpg2017 C 4 164 26 mpg2016 C 4 163 25 mpg

Common questions about the 2018 X1

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2018 BMW X1 have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 4 recall campaigns for the 2018 BMW X1. The most serious on file is 19V601000, covering Steering. 1 of them was filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2018 BMW X1?

NHTSA gave the 2018 BMW X1 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it C (75/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2018 BMW X1?

Across the 2 EPA-rated configurations of the 2018 BMW X1, the best EPA combined figure is 26 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2018 BMW X1?

Transport Canada measured it at 174.8 in long, 71.7 in wide (body, without mirrors), 63.4 in tall, on a 105.1 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,660 lb. 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 X1?

Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW X1, most often about structure, unspecified, electrical system. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 6 reported injuries. 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 X1?

The EPA smog rating for the 2018 BMW X1 is 7 out of 10. 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, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2018 BMW X1?

The manufacturer has filed 98 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2018 BMW X1, 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 X1 do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2018 BMW X1 failed the emissions check on 3.4% of first inspections — close to the 3.0% for every 2018 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.5% (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.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations2 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates2 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls4NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints60NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins98NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations1NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No 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 NHTSA12 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe 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.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2027 X1 The X1 model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every BMW recall on file All campaigns filed against BMW vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this X1 by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

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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