BMW problems
Owners have filed 40,725 complaints about BMW vehicles with NHTSA, spread across 352 models.
40,725
Complaints
352
Models
2,040
Crashes reported
1,862
Fires reported
Every BMW model
| Model | Years | Complaints | Worst year | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X5 | 2000–2026 | 4,530 | 2021 | Engine & Cooling |
| 328I | 1996–2016 | 3,777 | 2013 | Engine & Cooling |
| X3 | 2004–2026 | 2,799 | 2019 | Engine & Cooling |
| 325I | 1987–2012 | 1,808 | 2006 | Airbags |
| Z4 | 2002–2022 | 1,444 | 2003 | Steering |
| 528I | 1979–2016 | 1,239 | 2008 | Engine & Cooling |
| 3 Series | 1986–2013 | 1,149 | 2007 | Airbags |
| 335I | 2007–2016 | 1,136 | 2008 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 330I | 2001–2025 | 1,076 | 2006 | Airbags |
| X1 | 2013–2026 | 954 | 2018 | Other & Unspecified |
| 530I | 1994–2025 | 808 | 2004 | Airbags |
| 535I | 1986–2016 | 722 | 2011 | Engine & Cooling |
| 750LI | 2006–2021 | 696 | 2006 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 323I | 1985–2011 | 676 | 2000 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 328XI | 2006–2016 | 672 | 2008 | Electrical System |
| 525I | 1989–2009 | 663 | 2004 | Airbags |
| 5 Series | 1989–2012 | 556 | 2006 | Airbags |
| M3 | 1988–2025 | 552 | 2008 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| X7 | 2019–2026 | 476 | 2020 | Brakes |
| 325XI | 2001–2009 | 398 | 2004 | Airbags |
| 550I | 2006–2016 | 386 | 2011 | Engine & Cooling |
| X3 SAV | 2007–2012 | 343 | 2007 | Airbags |
| 540I | 1994–2025 | 340 | 2018 | Engine & Cooling |
| 330CI | 2000–2006 | 326 | 2004 | Airbags |
| Z3 | 1996–2003 | 299 | 1997 | Airbags |
| X6 | 2006–2026 | 299 | 2011 | Engine & Cooling |
| X5 SAV | 2003–2013 | 293 | 2007 | Airbags |
| I3 | 2014–2019 | 293 | 2017 | Steering |
| 325CI | 2000–2006 | 289 | 2001 | Airbags |
| 325 | 1984–2008 | 288 | 1994 | Engine & Cooling |
| 328D | 2014–2018 | 275 | 2014 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 428I | 2014–2016 | 258 | 2015 | Engine & Cooling |
| 330XI | 2001–2006 | 248 | 2006 | Airbags |
| 320I | 1978–2018 | 247 | 2014 | Engine & Cooling |
| 530XI | 2006–2007 | 243 | — | Airbags |
| 750I | 2006–2020 | 239 | 2007 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 528XI | 2008–2014 | 239 | 2012 | Engine & Cooling |
| 128I | 2007–2013 | 237 | 2012 | Airbags |
| 745LI | 2002–2005 | 225 | 2002 | Airbags |
| 535XI | 2007–2013 | 223 | 2008 | Engine & Cooling |
| X1 SAV | 2013–2017 | 221 | 2014 | Airbags |
| K1200LT | 1999–2009 | 212 | 2002 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 335XI | 2007–2015 | 205 | 2008 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 135I | 2007–2013 | 199 | 2008 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 545I | 2004–2005 | 198 | — | Airbags |
| 745I | 2001–2007 | 187 | 2003 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 740I | 1993–2024 | 186 | 1993 | Engine & Cooling |
| R1200 GS | 2004–2018 | 186 | 2005 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| IX | 2022–2025 | 186 | 2024 | Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance |
| 740IL | 1993–2001 | 180 | 1998 | Engine & Cooling |
| 318 | 1984–2001 | 169 | 1995 | Engine & Cooling |
| 430I | 2017–2026 | 166 | 2018 | Engine & Cooling |
| R1200 RT | 2005–2018 | 162 | 2006 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| M5 | 2000–2025 | 152 | 2006 | Airbags |
| 650I | 2006–2017 | 151 | 2012 | Engine & Cooling |
| 7 Series | 1995–2008 | 148 | 2006 | Airbags |
| R 1200 RT | 2004–2016 | 147 | 2009 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| X4 | 2015–2025 | 137 | 2015 | Engine & Cooling |
| I4 | 2022–2024 | 135 | 2023 | Electrical System |
| 1 Series | 2000–2011 | 134 | 2011 | Airbags |
| 328 | 2007–2013 | 125 | 2011 | Airbags |
| R 1200 GS | 2005–2014 | 114 | 2007 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 318I | 1984–2003 | 113 | 1994 | Engine & Cooling |
| 525 | 1985–2001 | 101 | — | Electrical System |
| 535D | 2014–2016 | 98 | — | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 335 | 2007–2013 | 96 | 2011 | Airbags |
| 228I | 2014–2023 | 94 | — | Electrical System |
| K 1600 GTL | 2012–2022 | 93 | 2012 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| M Roadster | 1998–2008 | 88 | 2000 | Body & Structure |
| M340I | 2020–2022 | 88 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| K1300 S | 2009–2015 | 77 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 335D | 2009–2011 | 75 | — | Electrical System |
| 645CI | 2004–2006 | 72 | — | Airbags |
| K1200 GT | 2003–2008 | 72 | 2008 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| C650 GT Maxi-Scooter | 2013–2020 | 69 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 525XI | 2006–2011 | 67 | — | Airbags |
| 530E | 2018–2023 | 67 | — | Electrical System |
| K1300 GT | 2009–2011 | 64 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| M4 | 2015–2024 | 63 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| K1600B | 2018–2019 | 63 | — | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 330E | 2016–2024 | 62 | 2023 | Electrical System |
| K1200 S | 2003–2010 | 61 | 2005 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 435I | 2014–2016 | 61 | 2014 | Engine & Cooling |
| X5 Diesel SAV | 2011–2011 | 59 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| BMW Motorcycle | 1988–2001 | 55 | — | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| BMW | 1982–2002 | 55 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| Z3 Roadster | 1998–2001 | 55 | 1998 | Body & Structure |
| R1200C | 1998–2003 | 54 | — | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 735I | 1987–1995 | 53 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 325IS | 1992–1995 | 53 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| E46 | 1990–2004 | 51 | — | Body & Structure |
| I5 | 2024–2025 | 51 | — | Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance |
| I7 | 2023–2025 | 50 | — | Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance |
| M550I | 2018–2023 | 49 | — | Airbags |
| M6 | 1988–2018 | 48 | — | Electrical System |
| 540IA | 1997–2002 | 48 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| R1200 GS Adventure | 2006–2018 | 47 | — | Fuel & Propulsion |
| R 1200 R | 2007–2013 | 46 | — | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 760I | 2004–2025 | 45 | — | Brakes |
| 535I US | 2011–2011 | 45 | — | Tires |
| X2 | 2018–2026 | 45 | — | Other & Unspecified |
| 740 | 1991–2001 | 44 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 328IC | 1997–2000 | 44 | — | Body & Structure |
| 740LI | 2011–2022 | 43 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| I3 REX | 2014–2014 | 43 | — | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| K1200RS | 1997–2002 | 42 | — | Fuel & Propulsion |
| S 1000 RR | 2010–2025 | 40 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| R 1250 GS | 2019–2023 | 40 | — | Brakes |
| K 1600 GT | 2011–2019 | 39 | — | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 528 | 1986–2000 | 37 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 318IS | 1991–1997 | 37 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 640I | 2012–2019 | 37 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 230I | 2017–2026 | 36 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 6 Series | 2004–2012 | 35 | — | Electrical System |
| 530IA | 1994–2003 | 34 | — | Airbags |
| M2 | 2016–2024 | 34 | — | Lights |
| R 1200 GS Adventure | 2006–2017 | 33 | — | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 323CI | 2000–2000 | 33 | — | Airbags |
| R1150GS | 2000–2003 | 32 | — | Brakes |
| 318TI | 1995–1999 | 31 | — | Windows, Mirrors & Wipers |
| 750IL | 1990–2001 | 31 | — | Windows, Mirrors & Wipers |
| 735 | 1985–1998 | 30 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| R Series | 1994–2007 | 30 | — | Wheels |
| M Coupe | 1999–2002 | 30 | — | Body & Structure |
| 550I Gran Turismo | 2010–2012 | 30 | — | Electrical System |
| 530 | 1994–2002 | 29 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 320 | 1978–2001 | 29 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 750XI | 2010–2016 | 29 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| R 1250 RT | 2019–2024 | 29 | — | Brakes |
| K 1600 B | 2018–2025 | 29 | — | Steering |
| 750 | 1988–2001 | 28 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 3-SERIES | 2003–2003 | 28 | — | Lights |
| 760LI | 2003–2008 | 28 | — | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 540 | 1994–2001 | 27 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| F800 GS | 2009–2015 | 27 | — | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 7-SERIES | 2009–2012 | 26 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 328CI | 2000–2000 | 26 | — | Body & Structure |
| F650GS | 2001–2002 | 25 | — | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 335I US | 2011–2011 | 25 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| M235I | 2014–2022 | 25 | — | Electrical System |
| 340I | 2016–2024 | 25 | — | Other & Unspecified |
| 440I | 2017–2019 | 25 | — | Engine & Cooling |
BMW model years to avoid
Graded D or F against the other years of their own model.
2018 BMW 540I
57 complaints · airbags
2023 BMW I4
77 complaints · electrical system
2007 BMW X3 SAV
195 complaints · transmission & drivetrain
2007 BMW X5 SAV
82 complaints · brakes
2008 BMW M3
102 complaints · transmission & drivetrain
2011 BMW 550I
144 complaints · engine & cooling
2014 BMW 320I
80 complaints · engine & cooling
2004 BMW 525I
123 complaints · airbags
2015 BMW X4
30 complaints · engine & cooling
2018 BMW 430I
50 complaints · engine & cooling
2004 BMW 530I
175 complaints · airbags
2024 BMW IX
60 complaints · driver assist & collision avoidance
1993 BMW 740I
24 complaints · engine & cooling
2006 BMW 5 Series
125 complaints · airbags
2003 BMW M3
69 complaints · airbags