53 of the 166 complaints filed about the BMW 430I are about the engine — 32% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2018.
53
Complaints
32%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
ENGINE
The car has a plastic part in the oil housing component that cracks under heat usually between 50000 and 70000 miles causing a major loss of coolant onto highway and disables the engine
NHTSA complaint #11744815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The car has experienced numerous coolant leaks according to the dealer and independent authorized service shops including: - turbo coolant lines - oil filter housing - auxiliary radiator - coolant pump - heat management module - upper radiator hose - expansion tank hose - various other coolant hoses All of this work has been done starting at 46,000 miles and continuing through the current mileage of 88,000 miles. Complete loss of coolant in system disabled the vehicle putting driver at risk of being stranded, potential permanent damage of motor due to overheating, and loss of use of the vehicle on numerous occasions. Low coolant warning indicator only comes on when the coolant tank is dangerously low. Most leaks have been detected from inspection and diagnostic testing by authorized service shops. The number of coolant leaks has cost over $10,000 in repairs and excessive depreciation of the vehicle causing financial hardship. Full service records are available upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11738943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
This is the third Check Engine, Drive train malfunction, Power Supply error messages popped up. Dealership replaced the battery at the first visit, replaced the starter at the second visit. Error messages appeared one week after the second visit to the dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11739171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
1 week after the BMW dealer replaced the battery under the warranty (after the car was towed due to the power loss from drive train malfunction) Engine Check, Drive train malfunction, and Oil level measurement inactive signals popped up again.
NHTSA complaint #11736382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
BMW Manufacturer Recall for fire hazad in starter for ths model first issued Oct 2025! NHTSA Recall Number26V056 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available as of May 1, 2026 My complaint is about the delay in a remedy from BMW - it's been more than 4 months!! This is not"timely"
NHTSA complaint #11735171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The recall was issued more than 8 months ago but the remedy is still not yet available, which is very concerning as the problem may cause the event of fire even when the vehicle is parked. Issued SEP 23, 2025 Description of Problem It is possible for water to contact and enter the engine starter. This could lead to corrosion which could cause a short circuit. Safety Risk This could increase the risk of a thermal event or fire during driving or even when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is off.
NHTSA complaint #11734108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Plastic oil filter housing part cracked and leaked all my anti freeze out on I 95. This incident caused me to have my car towed 3 times to various dealer and shops for repair. Total cost of this repair was approximately 2K with parts and labor + 300. for towing. No warning from BMW - this could have caused myself and others great harm out there on 95 and if I had to drive farther to find a safe place to pull over it would have destroyed my engine.
NHTSA complaint #11729155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The engine Unknown The problem was confirmed by BMW as they sent me a notice. Unknown Unknown
NHTSA complaint #11729210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Oil Filter Housing failed causing immediate loss coolant rendering the vehicle inoperative.
NHTSA complaint #11725522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
2018 430i x drive gran coupe oil filter housing failed. Car started to overheat while driving and the infotainment system indicated that the car is overheating and started to decelerate.
NHTSA complaint #11723706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2019 BMW 430I. The contact stated that there was a coolant leak. The contact stated that the engine overheated and the vehicle stalled while driving. The message "Engine Overheating - Stop Vehicle Immediately" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the coolant housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was determined that the coolant water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that there was coolant leaking from the oil housing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, a complaint was filed, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 116,758.
NHTSA complaint #11716146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The component that malfunctioned is the engine starter relay, which is subject to an open BMW/NHTSA safety recall (issued September 2025) due to potential corrosion causing overheating, short circuits, and vehicle fire risk. The recall specifically advises parking the vehicle outside and away from structures until repaired. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.My safety and the safety of my family were put at risk because the dealership (Capitol Nissan in San Jose) failed to disclose this critical fire-risk recall before or during the sale on January 4, 2026, despite it being noted on the provided Carfax report (without any explanation of its severity). I only learned of the fire hazard and "park outside" warning when an authorized BMW dealer informed me during an inspection on January 5, 2026.The recall issue has been confirmed by an authorized BMW dealer on January 5, 2026.The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized BMW dealer, but not yet by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives.There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms that I noticed prior to purchase, as the problem is related to a latent defect covered by the recall. The issue was UNKNOWN to me until the BMW dealer informed me after the purchase.In addition, the dealership engaged in other fraudulent practices, including structuring my full cash payment as self-financed (with themselves as both seller and creditor) and adding unauthorized charges, but the primary safety concern prompting this report is the undisclosed fire-risk recall.
NHTSA complaint #11709689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 430I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the coolant reservoir was empty, even though it had been refilled two weeks prior. The low coolant warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 123,000.
NHTSA complaint #11682998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 430I. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for routine service, and the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the water pump was leaking and needed to be replaced. The low coolant level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,690.
NHTSA complaint #11680742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Disconnect coupling on cylinder head broke caused loss of coolant from engine. Overheated my Car damaged the engine and the car did accelerate when I was crossing a highway almost causing a collision
NHTSA complaint #11679358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
On my way home driving, my car dashboard and LCD screen give me a warning of overheating and engine oil pressure too low. Car stalled on stalled soon after, and started smoking. So I had the car towed and was told from bmw dealership, I had to get a new engine. I have kept up on my oil change and maintenance and never got these warning signs until now. I did mr research and found out from Kelly blue book and other websites such Dealer Rater that bmw same year make and model have a few recalls including engine cooling and crankshaft sensor malfunction. The bmw mechanic advise the coolant and oil holder made of plastic melted down into the engine and engine needs to be replaced. However, there have been reports states that other have experience the same thing with bmw cars. This should not have happened when much warnings was not given and how ironic same year make and model had the same issue and recall was issued. I have screen shots to prove it.
NHTSA complaint #11677834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 430I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with intrusion into the heat management module coolant. The contact was informed that the HMM (Heat Management Module) needed to be replaced. An unknown hose was replaced. The contact stated that since 2022, the vehicle had experienced three coolant failures. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V465000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #11664713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 430I. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle then stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. However, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel burning odor entering the interior of the vehicle. The contact checked under the hood and noticed an oil leak outside the engine. The "Low Oil" warning light illuminated, even though the oil level on the instrument panel showed the level was normal. The contact added oil. However, no cause for the failure was found. The contact had placed a small cigarette butt by the engine and when the contact picked up the vehicle, the cigarette butt was still in the same place he had placed it. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V465000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #11662165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 430i. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Coolant Leak, Refill Coolant" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the thermostat, oil filter housing, upper radiator hose, front engine block plug, water pump, turbo coolant line, and gasket were faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the oil filter housing and gasket were previously replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11656254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 430i. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Coolant Leak, Refill Coolant" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the thermostat, oil filter housing, upper radiator hose, front engine block plug, water pump, turbo coolant line, and gasket were faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the oil filter housing and gasket were previously replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11656254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.