Vehicle recall R/2018/220

BMW X4 and BMW X3 recall: Pistons in rear brake calipers may not be coated to specifications

DVSA recall R/2018/220 names the BMW X4 and BMW X3. It was launched 10 August 2018. It covers vehicles built 16 April 2018 to 8 June 2018.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2018/220
Launched: 10 August 2018
Issued by: BMW
Manufacturer reference: 0034370200
Vehicles: DVSA lists 1,032 on each model line

What can go wrong

The fault affects the brake system in particular the brake calipers on the rear axle. Because of a faulty coating hydrogen gas (approximately 10 ml) could be created in the coating of the piston of the brake caliper. This will be completely outgassed during the first 2 months after the production process causing longer brake pedal travel. Under certain circumstances the relevant brake pressure cannot be build up in the rear brake circuit. As a result the brake force of the system may be reduced by up to 30%. The driver may feel a soft brake pedal and a reduction of the brake performance. In certain cases the rear brake circuit could fail leading to increased risk of an accident.

The fix

On the affected vehicles the brake system will be bled.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. DVSA lists the same vehicle number on each line: 1,032. It may be a figure per line or for the whole recall.
Model	Built	Vehicles
BMW X3	16 April 2018 to 8 June 2018	1,032
BMW X4	16 April 2018 to 8 June 2018	1,032

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/2018/258 Exhaust gas recirculation cooler could potentially leak over time 5 November 2018, BMW 2 Series, BMW X3, BMW 5 Series and others
R/2018/099 Restricted fuel supply could cause engine to stall 16 April 2018, BMW X3, BMW X4
R/2018/101 Inflator in driver airbag module may not be produced to specification 16 April 2018, BMW X3
R/2018/341 Exhaust gas recirculation module cooler could leak 7 December 2018, BMW 6 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW 1 Series and others
R/2018/362 The screw at the bottom steering spindle connection may be incorrectly tightened 14 December 2018, BMW X3
R/2018/073 Rear spoiler may be insecure 19 March 2018, BMW X3

Found one you might buy?

A recall is one part of the picture. See how often it fails its MOT at each age, or what the VetTheCar Buying Report tells you about a specific car.

See an example Buying Report Free car tools

Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. Methodology · Data sources