Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2013 BMW 640I
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
327.3%
Median failure at 71,519 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
218.2%
Median failure at 71,519 miles
Electrical System
218.2%
Median failure at 71,519 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
19.1%
Median failure at 25,000 miles
Brakes
19.1%
Median failure at 71,519 miles
Airbags
19.1%
Median failure at 65,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
19.1%
Median failure at 29,532 miles
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2013 BMW 640 I 2 DR RWD
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2013 BMW 640 I C RWD
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When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2015peak 7Feb 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 2013 BMW 640I
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 65,000 milesMarietta, GA
AIR BAGS
WARNING LIGHT THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS NOT WORKING
NHTSA complaint #11396666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,519 milesJacksonville, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON 9/27/19 I LEFT THE GAS STATION WITH FULL TANK OF GAS AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A BUSY ROAD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE LIGHT CHANGED GREEN MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. I PUT THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED OUT OF THE ROAD. A LIGHT CAME ON "AUTO START/STOP DISENGAGED." EVERYTHING ELSE POWERED (WINDOWS, RADIO, REAR SHADES, SCREEN, PHONE AND NAVIGATION, ETC.) AND WORKED SO THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY. THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED 1 HOUR LATER, THE CAR WOULDN'T START, LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND THE GEAR WOULDN'T SHIFT. THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FROM 9/27-10/10/19. DIAGNOSED CAUSE: BATTERY OLD/WORN, REAR BRAKES AND OIL LEAKING. THE CAR WAS SERVICED. ON 10/13/19 THREE DAYS LATER MY CAR CUT OFF AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, LOCKED UP IMMEDIATELY AND WOULD NOT START JUST AS BEFORE. THIS TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND COULD NOT BE PUSHED OUT OF THE ROAD. I BLOCKED TRAFFIC AND HAD TO WAIT ONE HOUR AGAIN FOR ANOTHER TOW TRUCK TO TOW MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP. JUST LIKE BEFORE EVERYTHING ELSE WORKED (A/C, WINDOWS, LIGHTS, RADIO, BLINKERS, POWER SEATS, DISPLAY PANEL, ETC.), SO ONCE AGAIN IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY. AGAIN A SAFETY HAZARD WAS CREATED WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC TRYING TO AVOID HITTING ME. IT WAS DARK, I WAS ALONE AND STOOD OUTSIDE THE CAR TO WAVE VEHICLES TO GO AROUND PUTTING MY PERSONAL SAFETY IN JEOPARDY. ON 10/22/19 I HAD TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND ASK FOR AN UPDATE ON MY CAR BECAUSE I RECEIVED NO COMMUNICATION AT ALL. THE DIAGNOSED CAUSE: FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT AND THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL UNIT: EKPS FAILED BY EXCESSIVE AMPERAGE DRAW FROM THE FAILED FUEL PUMP. SAME PROBLEM, BUT TO REPAIR THIS TIME THE COST IS OVER $1500.
NHTSA complaint #11270650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,519 milesJacksonville, FL
ENGINE
ON 9/27/19 I LEFT THE GAS STATION WITH FULL TANK OF GAS AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A BUSY ROAD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE LIGHT CHANGED GREEN MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. I PUT THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED OUT OF THE ROAD. A LIGHT CAME ON "AUTO START/STOP DISENGAGED." EVERYTHING ELSE POWERED (WINDOWS, RADIO, REAR SHADES, SCREEN, PHONE AND NAVIGATION, ETC.) AND WORKED SO THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY. THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED 1 HOUR LATER, THE CAR WOULDN'T START, LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND THE GEAR WOULDN'T SHIFT. THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FROM 9/27-10/10/19. DIAGNOSED CAUSE: BATTERY OLD/WORN, REAR BRAKES AND OIL LEAKING. THE CAR WAS SERVICED. ON 10/13/19 THREE DAYS LATER MY CAR CUT OFF AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, LOCKED UP IMMEDIATELY AND WOULD NOT START JUST AS BEFORE. THIS TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND COULD NOT BE PUSHED OUT OF THE ROAD. I BLOCKED TRAFFIC AND HAD TO WAIT ONE HOUR AGAIN FOR ANOTHER TOW TRUCK TO TOW MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP. JUST LIKE BEFORE EVERYTHING ELSE WORKED (A/C, WINDOWS, LIGHTS, RADIO, BLINKERS, POWER SEATS, DISPLAY PANEL, ETC.), SO ONCE AGAIN IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY. AGAIN A SAFETY HAZARD WAS CREATED WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC TRYING TO AVOID HITTING ME. IT WAS DARK, I WAS ALONE AND STOOD OUTSIDE THE CAR TO WAVE VEHICLES TO GO AROUND PUTTING MY PERSONAL SAFETY IN JEOPARDY. ON 10/22/19 I HAD TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND ASK FOR AN UPDATE ON MY CAR BECAUSE I RECEIVED NO COMMUNICATION AT ALL. THE DIAGNOSED CAUSE: FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT AND THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL UNIT: EKPS FAILED BY EXCESSIVE AMPERAGE DRAW FROM THE FAILED FUEL PUMP. SAME PROBLEM, BUT TO REPAIR THIS TIME THE COST IS OVER $1500.
NHTSA complaint #11270650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,519 milesJacksonville, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON 9/27/19 I LEFT THE GAS STATION WITH FULL TANK OF GAS AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A BUSY ROAD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE LIGHT CHANGED GREEN MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. I PUT THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED OUT OF THE ROAD. A LIGHT CAME ON "AUTO START/STOP DISENGAGED." EVERYTHING ELSE POWERED (WINDOWS, RADIO, REAR SHADES, SCREEN, PHONE AND NAVIGATION, ETC.) AND WORKED SO THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY. THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED 1 HOUR LATER, THE CAR WOULDN'T START, LOCKED UP COMPLETELY AND THE GEAR WOULDN'T SHIFT. THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FROM 9/27-10/10/19. DIAGNOSED CAUSE: BATTERY OLD/WORN, REAR BRAKES AND OIL LEAKING. THE CAR WAS SERVICED. ON 10/13/19 THREE DAYS LATER MY CAR CUT OFF AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, LOCKED UP IMMEDIATELY AND WOULD NOT START JUST AS BEFORE. THIS TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND COULD NOT BE PUSHED OUT OF THE ROAD. I BLOCKED TRAFFIC AND HAD TO WAIT ONE HOUR AGAIN FOR ANOTHER TOW TRUCK TO TOW MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP. JUST LIKE BEFORE EVERYTHING ELSE WORKED (A/C, WINDOWS, LIGHTS, RADIO, BLINKERS, POWER SEATS, DISPLAY PANEL, ETC.), SO ONCE AGAIN IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY. AGAIN A SAFETY HAZARD WAS CREATED WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC TRYING TO AVOID HITTING ME. IT WAS DARK, I WAS ALONE AND STOOD OUTSIDE THE CAR TO WAVE VEHICLES TO GO AROUND PUTTING MY PERSONAL SAFETY IN JEOPARDY. ON 10/22/19 I HAD TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND ASK FOR AN UPDATE ON MY CAR BECAUSE I RECEIVED NO COMMUNICATION AT ALL. THE DIAGNOSED CAUSE: FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT AND THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL UNIT: EKPS FAILED BY EXCESSIVE AMPERAGE DRAW FROM THE FAILED FUEL PUMP. SAME PROBLEM, BUT TO REPAIR THIS TIME THE COST IS OVER $1500.
NHTSA complaint #11270650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,519 milesJackson, FL
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 640I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT AUTO ECONO RESTART AND HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOM BUSH BMW JACKSONVILLE (9875 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225, (904) 371-4790) WHERE THE BATTERY AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE OIL FILTER GASKET WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE DAYS LATER. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN INTAKE FUEL FAILURE CAUSED BY UNDER VOLTAGE AND THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL UNIT FAILED FROM INSUFFICIENT AMP ELECTRICAL POWER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL COVERAGE; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $3,600 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,519.
NHTSA complaint #11270490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,519 milesJackson, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 640I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT AUTO ECONO RESTART AND HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOM BUSH BMW JACKSONVILLE (9875 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225, (904) 371-4790) WHERE THE BATTERY AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE OIL FILTER GASKET WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE DAYS LATER. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN INTAKE FUEL FAILURE CAUSED BY UNDER VOLTAGE AND THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL UNIT FAILED FROM INSUFFICIENT AMP ELECTRICAL POWER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL COVERAGE; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $3,600 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,519.
NHTSA complaint #11270490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,519 milesJackson, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 640I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT AUTO ECONO RESTART AND HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOM BUSH BMW JACKSONVILLE (9875 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225, (904) 371-4790) WHERE THE BATTERY AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE OIL FILTER GASKET WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE DAYS LATER. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN INTAKE FUEL FAILURE CAUSED BY UNDER VOLTAGE AND THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL UNIT FAILED FROM INSUFFICIENT AMP ELECTRICAL POWER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL COVERAGE; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $3,600 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,519.
NHTSA complaint #11270490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northbrook, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAN NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK CAR FROM WITHIN OR OUT. REPLACED DOOR ACTUATOR ON A DRIVER SIDE WHICH DID NOT SOLVE A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11267789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesLA Crescenta, CA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
AFTER WORK (~ 5:30 PM, PST) WHILE DRIVING, I FLIPPED MY SUN VISOR TO PROTECT MYSELF FROM THE SUN. AS THE VISOR WAS BEING FLIPPED, THE VISOR FELL OUT OF ITS HINGE AND LOST ALL VISIBILITY. LOST ALL VISIBILITY. PANICKED AND SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS. ALMOST REAR ENDED AS I COULD HEAR THE CAR SLAMMING ON THE BREAKS. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, THIS COULD'VE BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE. THE VISOR WAS PROPPED BACK INTO ITS SPACE BUT POPS OUT VERY EASILY. THERE SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE WAY THE VISOR IS BEING SECURED IN THE HINGE. I AM WORRIED THAT ALL BMW SHARING IN THIS DESIGN MAY POTENTIALLY EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. I CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE PRETTY NIMBLE AND REACTIVE. I'M GENUINELY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OTHER DRIVES WITH THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10910874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,532 milesJupiter, FL
POWER TRAIN
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM AN ON-RAMP TO A HIGHWAY, AN ALERT POPPED UP: DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION: DRIVE MODERATELY..." THE CAR LOST POWER AND I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED AND NEARLY CAUSED A MULTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, OPENED THE HOOD AND LOOKED INSIDE. NOTHING SEEMED AMISS. RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE YELLOW ALERT WAS GONE. PROCEEDED TO GET BACK ON THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATED AGAIN AND AGAIN THE ALERT POPPED UP AND I LOST POWER AND AGAIN NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION THAT SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING WITH HIGH FREQUENCY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION MAY SAVE LIVES.
NHTSA complaint #10816238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,532 milesJupiter, FL
ENGINE
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM AN ON-RAMP TO A HIGHWAY, AN ALERT POPPED UP: DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION: DRIVE MODERATELY..." THE CAR LOST POWER AND I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED AND NEARLY CAUSED A MULTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, OPENED THE HOOD AND LOOKED INSIDE. NOTHING SEEMED AMISS. RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE YELLOW ALERT WAS GONE. PROCEEDED TO GET BACK ON THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATED AGAIN AND AGAIN THE ALERT POPPED UP AND I LOST POWER AND AGAIN NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION THAT SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING WITH HIGH FREQUENCY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION MAY SAVE LIVES.
NHTSA complaint #10816238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.