BMWX42018Overview/bmw/x4/2018/base/

2018 BMW X4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 X4.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2018 BMW X4 is an SUV equipped with an S8 automatic transmission that returns an EPA-estimated 18/25/21 mpg. Owner feedback for this specific year includes 11 total complaints primarily concentrated in the engine, engine cooling, and electrical systems, alongside a single recall. Contextualized within the X4's broader 2014-2026 complaint history—which peaks at 14 issues in 2020 and drops to a low of just 2 in 2024—the 2018 model's moderate figures position it as a relatively stable point in the vehicle's reliability trajectory for researchers to evaluate.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/25/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428683168. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 800 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/45R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5; Front Optional: 8.5; Rear Optional: 9.5; Front Optional: 8.5; Rear Optional: 10.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428683168 alt 11428637820
Engine air filter13717571355 alt 13717601868
Spark plug12120039664 alt 12120039634
Battery61216806755 alt 61217635788
Front wiper blades61612458017
Thermostat11537586784 alt 11538635689
Cabin air filter64119237159 alt 64319395930

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.9 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height63.8 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight4235 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 25 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the X4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.4–6.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.40 sec — 2017 M40i
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017M40i 3.0L Turbo I-64.40 sec13.10 sec355 hpAWD
2017M40i 3.0L Turbo I-64.90 sec13.60 sec355 hpAWD
2017xDrive28i 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.90 sec240 hpAWD
2015xDrive35i 3.0L turbo I-65.10 sec13.70 sec300 hpAWD
2015xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-65.20 sec13.80 sec300 hpAWD
2015xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-65.20 sec13.90 sec300 hpAWD
2015xDrive28i 2.0L Turbo I-45.90 sec14.60 sec240 hpAWD
2015xDrive28i 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec15.00 sec240 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)3.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs108.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs72.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.05-1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca
Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance850 cca

Service checks

RPM725.0
RPM725.0

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
270 degrees70 degrees
370
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
270 degrees70 degrees
270
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
3180 degrees180 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

1Bolts 1-1422 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-1490 degrees
3Bolts 1-14180 degrees
4M9 Bolts16.2 ft. lbs
5M9 Bolts16.2 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
144.0 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
245
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
144.0 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
245
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
290
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
270

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 BMW X4 sits at a pivotal point in the model's federal record: it has 11 complaints and just 1 recall, which is notably lower than the 7 recalls on the 2019 and 10 on the 2020 model years. However, the 2018 also logged 81 TSBs, far fewer than the 159 of 2017 and the 269 of 2019, suggesting a dip in service bulletins before a sharp rise. The single investigation carried over from 2016-2018 ends after this year, and the complaint count is moderate but includes 2 crash and 1 fire reports, with the top issue area being Engine & Engine Cooling/Electrical System (5 complaints). Compared to the spike in recalls and TSBs that begins in 2019, the 2018 appears relatively stable, though it has more complaints than the preceding 2017 model (3 complaints). Overall, this is a reasonably good year to buy within the generation, as it avoids the high recall volume of later years while still benefiting from a lower TSB count than earlier or later models.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
81
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
11
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 11 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System5
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine1
Electrical System,Engine1
Service Brakes1
Unknown Or Other1
Power Train1
Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

24V608000Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:PumpReported 13/08/2024

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 81 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B0103242026-05-06EngineThe EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or…
B6617192025-04-30Service BrakesThe vehicle applies the brakes on its own when reversing onto an inclined roadway or…
B6501222025-01-06Air BagsThe limited warranty for the Knee Air Bag wire harness repair cable procedure for defects…
B0115242024-12-11Enginethe NVLD limited emissionrelated warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has…
B0109212024-12-11EngineThe NVLD limited emission related warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific X4. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2018 X4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the X4 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg.