The buttons on the gear selector switch (GWS) do not work, or the function indicator lighting has failed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 BMW X2 lighting problems
moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
When does it fail?
Of the 4 lighting complaints filed for the 2018 BMW X2, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
ROUGH RUNNING IMMEDIATELY AFTER A COLD START: Immediately after a cold start the engine may run roughly during the catalyst heating period. Depending on the severity of this situation the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) can be illuminated and the following fault code may be set: Fault code Control module Fault code text 151001 DME Ignition angle adjustment while idle speed cold start: ignition angle early In some circumstances if the vehicle is switched into a drive gear (R or D) when the RPM are low the engine may switch off. Should this occur the engine may be restarted normally. Software error in the DME.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The tail light mounting brackets may be cracked or broken. During assembly oil may have contaminated the plastic housing of the rear tail lamps causing damage to the mounting points of the tail light assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DELIVERY STOP: REWORK TAIL LIGHTS. The tail light mounting brackets may be cracked or broken. During assembly oil may have contaminated the plastic housing of the rear tail lamps causing damage to the mounting points of the tail light assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DELIVERY STOP: REWORK TAIL LIGHTS. The tail light mounting brackets may be cracked or broken. During assembly oil may have contaminated the plastic housing of the rear tail lamps causing damage to the mounting points of the tail light assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I have had trouble with both my right and left taillight blinkers failing at various times. In the first instance, I took the car into BMW of Seattle to get a new bulb, but this did not fix the problem. After talking with the parts department, the man informed me that it might be an issue with the bulb socket. We tried replacing this but it still didn't work. The technician ended up scraping…
Experiencing an issue with rear turn signal not functioning properly. Replaced bulb but problem not resolved. Checked internet to find others are experiencing issue with part melting causing bulb socket to loose connectivity causing the problem. Serious safety concern by my standards. Wife’s vehicle and she is constantly getting the finger and angry drivers behind honking and screaming at her.
BMW X2 "REAR TAIL LIGHT MALFUNCTION" OCCURS CONSISTENTLY. Seems like a manufacturer defect. I took it to the dealer once and had the bulb changed when I was there for scheduled service and it worked for 1 day and then back to the fault. Seems to be a common manufacturer defect: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] ? [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),…
The contact owns a 2018 BMW X2. The contact stated that while driving, a "Driver’s side rear turn signal malfunction" message was displayed. Upon investigation, the contact was able to find information online and replaced the rear turn signal bulb herself. The contact stated that several days later, the failure returned, and the contact decided to take the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The…
Had lighting trouble with your 2018 BMW X2?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2018 BMW X2?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 10,140 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/BMW/X2.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.