Common problems

BMW reliability and problems by model

Owners have filed 11,697 complaints about BMW models with NHTSA since 2010, and BMW has filed 121 warranty extensions. Pick a model to compare its model years.

From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.

BMW models

ModelComplaintsModel yearsMost complaintsMost named
3 Series2,8452010–20262011Engine
X52,1562010–20262011Engine
5 Series1,7332010–20262011Engine
X31,4812010–20262013Engine
X18492013–20262017Other or unspecified
4 Series3692014–20262015Electrical system
X73102019–20262024Electrical system
7 Series3092010–20252011Engine
1 Series2692010–20132011Airbags
i32352014–20192014Steering
X61882010–20272012Engine
2 Series1252014–20262016Electrical system
iX1162022–20262023Electrical system
M31032010–20252011Engine
Z4982010–20252011Engine and cooling
i4942022–20262023Electrical system
X4922015–20252015Electrical system
6 Series892010–20192012Engine
M4472015–20242016Engine
K1600B412018–20192018Transmission and drivetrain
M5372010–20252013Engine
M2302016–20242017Exterior lights
X2282018–20262018Other or unspecified
i5282024–20252024Electrical system
i7252023–20262024Electrical system

Look up a BMW by VIN or model year

Recent BMW warranty extensions

The latest warranty extensions BMW filed with NHTSA, and the models they cover. Each model's page lists all of them.

  • Sep 2026· Body and structure· 4 Series, M4

    The coverage period for qualifying lower rear side panel water drain repair that addresses the issues described in the Service Information Bulletin has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles, as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.

  • Jun 2026· Electrical system· X5, 5 Series, X6, X3, X1, M5

    Due to an implementation error in various OBD diagnostics in the vehicle's control units, in very rare cases itmay happen that stored fault memory codes (DTCs) and the MIL (warning light) are not automaticallydeleted even though the underlying malfunction has already been…

  • May 2026· Body and structure· X5, X6, X3, X4, X7

    SHARK FIN ROOF ANTENNA SEALING SETTLEMENT Extended Warranty

  • Mar 2026· Suspension· 7 Series

    The front and rear air suspension strut assemblies limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 8 years /80,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.

  • Sep 2025· Engine· X5, 5 Series

    The N57T diesel engine’s Auxiliary Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler’s component-specific extended limited warranty (ELW) now includes more Model vehicles.

  • Aug 2025· Engine· 7 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series

    N47/N57 diesel engine EGR cooler revised ext ltd wty(elw) coverage/procedure

  • Aug 2025· Engine· 7 Series, 3 Series, X5, 5 Series, X3

    The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler (with EGR Valve) and the Auxiliary Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 25 years without mileage limit as determined from the original first…

  • Aug 2025· Engine· X5

    The electric auxiliary heater assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date

  • Jul 2025· Transmission and drivetrain· X1

    The limited warranty for the automatic transmissions Selector Lever Magnetic Shift Interlock Mechanism (Gearshift lug assembly portion) has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles, as determined by the vehicles original first in-service / delivery date, when a gearshift lug…

  • Jul 2025· Fuel and propulsion· 7 Series, 5 Series, M5

    The Fuel Injector Condition-Specific Repair Coverage Program applies to qualifying repairs for the required replacement of one or more the fuel injectors which were determined to have failed due to a buildup of external corrosion in the engine’s center fuel injector bore area…

  • Jul 2025· Body and structure· 3 Series, X5, X6, 4 Series, 2 Series, X7

    After carrying out the vehicle test, one or more of the stored faults indicate that the operation of the front bottom active air flap is obstructed or blocked.

  • May 2025· Engine· 2 Series, X2

    The engines turbocharger wastegate valve controller limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.

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