BMW complaints & recalls by model
Across 4 BMW models and 35 model years, NHTSA has logged 1,905 owner complaints and 79 recall campaigns. The brand averages 11.9 complaints per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (index 0.29).
Analysis
Among the tracked BMW models, the 5 Series has the fewest complaints per year and the X5 the most. By model year, the brand's average rate is highest for 2024 (23.7 per year) and lowest for 2023 (4.7).
BMW owners complain about Electrical more than owners in general: 26.3% of complaints, 1.7× the share across all tracked vehicles. In the last 12 months owners filed 634 complaints versus 479 in the previous 12 months — up 32%.
Recalls: 79 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2020 (13), 2 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 3 NHTSA investigations touch BMW models, 2 of them still open.
Models
| Models | Segments | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Investigations | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X5 | Luxury SUVs | 825 | 22.8 | 0.56 | Worsening | Within ±30% year on year | 44 | 3 | Electrical |
| BMW X3 | Luxury SUVs | 665 | 15.9 | 0.39 | Improving | Rising | 40 | 1 | Electrical |
| BMW 3 Series | Luxury sedans | 225 | 4.3 | 0.11 | Stable | Rising | 1 | 0 | Engine |
| BMW 5 Series | Luxury sedans | 190 | 3.6 | 0.09 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 1 | 0 | Airbags & seat belts |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.
By model year · Complaints per year on the road
All-vehicle average: 40.4
What owners complain about
vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average
Recalls by year received
Do-not-drive / park-outside: 2
Investigations
- High pressure fuel pump failure Open
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect alle…
- Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open
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 rupt…