AutoStatsIQ
Data through Oct 2026
Make

BMW

The complete NHTSA record for BMW vehicles: owner complaints, recall campaigns, defect investigations and manufacturer communications, for every model and model year on file.

Most BMW recalls are filed by BMW, part of BMW Group.

Owner complaints in the last five years6,90029,715 on file in all, across 400 models
Recall campaigns567118 in five years
Severity index9.5Crash, fire, injury or death per 100 complaints
Investigations558,551 service bulletins
By year

Owner complaints about BMW vehicles peaked at 2,224 in 2017

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 1995 to 2026. 2026 runs through October.

01,0002,0003,000199519982001200420072010201320162,224201920222026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints and recalls files. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Components

Engine and cooling draws the most owner complaints about BMW vehicles, 17% of them

Share of all owner complaints on file, by component.

Engine and cooling
6,970
Airbags
5,682
Electrical system
4,971
Powertrain
3,520
Fuel system
3,116
Steering
2,171
Brakes
1,933
Lighting
1,449
Structure
1,370
Seats
975
Source: NHTSA ODI.
Models

The X5 has the most complaints of any BMW model

Every BMW model with complaints or recalls on file, by complaints. Counts are not rates: NHTSA publishes no sales volumes.

BMW models
ModelModel yearsComplaintsSeverity indexRecallsInvestigations
X51999 to 20263,1499.319422
328I1996 to 20162,57810.3787
X32004 to 20261,99712.412717
325I1985 to 20121,38610.76922
Z42002 to 20251,2802.1609
528I1980 to 201683410.1285
3 Series1986 to 20238216.54923
330I1999 to 20268149.39521
335I2006 to 20178106.5409
X12012 to 20266717.3374
530I1989 to 202656714.1607
323I1985 to 20115649.8330
535I1985 to 20174928.52612
750LI2005 to 20224675.1277
328XI2005 to 201646013.0327
M31988 to 20264449.08225
525I1989 to 201143714.9433
5 Series1985 to 20234108.3788
X72019 to 20263106.5552
325XI2000 to 20123068.54514
330CI2000 to 200629110.7259
X3 SAV2007 to 201227415.3106
550I2006 to 201725210.3195
540I1989 to 20252499.6414
325CI2000 to 20062478.5278
3251984 to 201222320.23731
I32014 to 20222136.1169
328D2013 to 20182128.52711
Z31996 to 200420713.0130
X62000 to 202620410.3956
X5 SAV2000 to 20132036.93013
K1200LT1999 to 20091975.608
330XI1999 to 20111938.34713
128I2007 to 20131847.6346
X1 SAV2012 to 201717710.2127
750I1990 to 20211707.6223
320I1980 to 201815915.7229
530XI2006 to 200715810.840
428I2014 to 201615714.0123
528XI2008 to 20141573.821
135I2007 to 20131546.5266
335XI2005 to 201615414.3247
R1200 GS2004 to 20191534.6558
R1200 RT2003 to 20191452.8158
745LI2001 to 20081448.31010
535XI2007 to 20141446.921
740IL1993 to 200113211.4160
740I1993 to 202613011.5490
745I2001 to 200812816.4109
430I2017 to 202712211.5243
R 1200 RT2004 to 20161220.8218
545I2004 to 20051228.202
3181984 to 200111817.81713
IX2021 to 202511331.0281
7 Series1985 to 20081088.31419
M51989 to 20261059.5453
650I2006 to 201810412.568
1 Series2000 to 2012984.1120
R 1200 GS2004 to 20149410.6238
X42014 to 20269214.1455
Show all 400 models
Source: NHTSA ODI. Recall counts add campaigns across model years, so a campaign covering three years counts three times.
Latest recalls

Recent campaigns listing a BMW product

  • 26V-525 Aug 12, 2026
    Connection between the driveshaft and the rear differential may become damaged, possibly resulting in a loss of power to the rear wheels or a…
    Powertrain · 28k vehicles
  • 26V-524 Aug 12, 2026
    Steering spindle may have been incorrectly attached to the steering column
    Steering · 13 vehicles
  • 26V-478 Jul 23, 2026
    Vibration of the motorcycle may cause an internal component of the ignition lock to fail, which can cause the instrument display, rear lighting,…
    Electrical system · 17k vehicles
  • 26V-441 Jul 8, 2026
    Engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit
    Electrical system · 29k vehicles
  • 26V-422 Jul 1, 2026
    Integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability…
    Stability and traction control · 428 vehicles
  • 26V-305 May 14, 2026
    Front wheel may splash water onto the electrical plug connection of the DC/DC converter's 12V battery ground cable lug, resulting in corrosion of…
    Electrical system · 116 vehicles
  • 26V-214 Apr 2, 2026
    Seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture inside the control unit, which can result in the unit overheating
    Powertrain · 9,160 vehicles
  • 26V-115 Feb 26, 2026
    Turn signal reset button can be unintentionally activated at the same time as the turn signal, resulting in an inoperative turn signal
    Lighting · 1 vehicles
  • 26V-096 Feb 19, 2026
    Electrical wiring harness for the air conditioning system may become damaged during replacement of the cabin air filter
    Electrical system · 59k vehicles
  • 26V-064 Feb 4, 2026
    These vehicles are equipped with rear lights that may not function properly
    Lighting · 202 vehicles
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
All campaigns