Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 X5.
The 2018 BMW X5 is a mid-size SUV equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission (S8) and EPA fuel-economy ratings of 14 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The model year registers 67 owner complaints and five recalls, a volume that sits well below the 333-complaint peak recorded for the 2008 model year within the 1999–2026 production span. This positions the 2018 X5 among the lower-complaint iterations of the line, indicating fewer reported issues relative to the model’s historical high.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
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.
| Engine oil filter | 11428683168 alt 11428637820 |
| Engine air filter | 13717638566 alt 13717571355 |
| Fuel filter | 13327822499 |
| Spark plug | 12120040581 alt 12120037582 |
| Battery | 61217604808 alt 61219364597 |
| Front wiper blades | 61610039697 |
| Thermostat | 11518512234 alt 11518516207 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319194098 alt 64119248294 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 192.5 in |
| Overall width | 76.4 in |
| Overall height | 69.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 115.4 in |
| Curb weight | 4930 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 64.6 / 65 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 14 / 19 / 16 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the X5 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | xDrive35d (xLine) 3.0L Turbo Diesel I-6 | 6.00 sec | 14.60 sec | 255 hp | AWD |
| 2018 | xDrive35i (xLine) 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 6.00 sec | 14.60 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2017 | M 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 3.80 sec | 12.20 sec | 567 hp | AWD |
| 2016 | xDrive40e 2.0L Turbo I-4 + Elec 9.2-kWh | 6.20 sec | 14.70 sec | 308 hp | AWD |
| 2016 | xDrive40e 2.0L Turbo I-4 + Elec 9.2-kWh | 6.20 sec | 14.60 sec | 308 hp | AWD |
| 2016 | xDrive40e 2.0L Turbo I-4 + Elec 9.2-kWh | 6.50 sec | 14.80 sec | 308 hp | AWD |
| 2015 | M 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 3.70 sec | 12.20 sec | 567 hp | AWD |
| 2015 | M 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 3.80 sec | 12.30 sec | 567 hp | AWD |
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 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. 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.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Clutch Fluid | DOT 4 |
| 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 |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 7.4 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 3.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 108.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 72.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 103 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.45-1.55 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 800 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 95R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 950 cca |
| RPM | 725.0 |
| RPM | 725.0 |
| RPM | 725.0 |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 70 degrees | 70 degrees |
| 3 | 70 | |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 70 degrees | 70 degrees |
| 2 | 70 | |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 70 | |
| 1 | 48.0 inch lbs. | 48 in |
| 2 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 3 | 70 | |
| 1 | 48.0 inch lbs. | 48 in |
| 2 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 3 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 4 | 75 | |
| 1 | 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 degrees. Replace Screws | 30 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 73.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60 degrees, Step 3: 60 degrees, Step 4: 60 | 73 ft. lbs |
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.
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees. | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 180 degrees | 180 degrees |
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.
| 1 | Bolts 1-14 | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | Bolts 1-14 | 90 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1-14 | 180 degrees |
| 4 | M9 Bolts | 16.2 ft. lbs |
| 5 | M9 Bolts | 16.2 ft. lbs |
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.
| 1 | M12 Bolts | 37 ft. lbs |
| 2 | M12 Bolts | 120 degrees |
| 3 | M12 Bolts | 120 degrees |
| 4 | 16.0 | |
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.
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 44.0 ft. lbs. | 44 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 45 | |
| 1 | 44.0 ft. lbs. | 44 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 45 | |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 | |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 70 | |
| 1 | 18.0 ft. lbs. | 18 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 36.0 ft. lbs. | 36 ft. lbs |
| 3 | 60 degrees | 60 degrees |
| 4 | 60 | |
Prep M8 bolts
| 1 | 84.0 inch lbs. | 84 in |
| 2 | 55.0 degrees; M11 bolts | 55 degrees |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 115 | |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 1,200 mi.
| At 1,200 mi | Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2018 BMW X5 sits at the tail end of a relatively stable three-year stretch (2016–2018) in which complaints held in the 67–73 range and recalls stayed at 5–6, making it one of the quieter years in the broader generational arc. Notably, 2019 saw complaints surge to 177 and recalls nearly triple to 13, suggesting the redesign introduced fresh problems that the 2018 model largely avoided. Within 2018's 67 complaints, the top areas are Unknown/Other (6), Fuel System Diesel (5), Suspension (4), and Electrical System (4), with one crash and one fire complaint recorded; the data does not specify root causes for these. The complaint count is also well below the generational peaks seen in 2008 (333) and 2011 (307), and the steady three-investigation count across 2016–2018 indicates regulators were monitoring the platform but did not escalate during this period. Given that the 2018 model benefits from being a late-cycle, mature platform year with comparatively low complaint and recall volume before the disruptive 2019 redesign, it represents a solid choice among used X5 years—provided a pre-purchase inspection addresses the diesel fuel system and suspension areas flagged in the complaint data.
All 67 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, i3 Rex, i3 Sport Rex, X5 xDrive40e, i3 BEV, i3 Sport BEV and 2019 i8 and i8 Roadster vehicles and 2018-2019 530e iPerformance, 530e xDrive… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the charging cable, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact BMW…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 xDrive35d, and X6 sDrive35i vehicles. The pivot bolt on the front lower-left control arm may not have been properly hardened… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower-left control arms and replace if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 11, 2018. Owners may contact BMW…
Showing 5 of 118 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B010122 | 2026-01-21 | Engine | N63TU1 CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT SVC CAMPAIGN: OIL CONSUMPTION DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR |
| B011125 | 2025-08-08 | Engine | The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler (with EGR Valve) and the Auxiliary Exhaust Gas… |
| B011025 | 2025-08-01 | Engine | The electric auxiliary heater assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and / or… |
| B062715 | 2025-04-04 | Engine | SCR Container Return |
| B010924 | 2025-03-13 | Fuel/Propulsion System | The High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assemblys Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.