High pressure fuel pump failure
EA23001
Still open engineering analysis · opened March 17, 2023 · the diesel fuel system
NHTSA safety record
BMW
Every complaint, recall and defect investigation on file for a BMW, model years 2010 to 2026.
249
Vehicles
10,798
Complaints
484
Recalls
359
Fires
3
Deaths
249BMW year and model combinations have enough on file to be worth a page here, and between them their owners have filed 10,798 safety complaints with NHTSA. More of those name the engine than any other system: 2,761 of them. The single most complained-about is the 2011 328I, with 574.
NHTSA holds 484 recall campaigns naming BMW vehicles, across every model year the agency records rather than only the ones shown here. 2 defect investigations into these vehicles are open and unresolved. A death has been reported in 3 of these 249 vehicles.
Most complained-about BMW models
Complaints for every published model year of each model added together. A model that sold in larger numbers collects more complaints, and nothing here divides by sales because NHTSA does not publish them.
What goes wrong on a BMW
The systems named most often across every BMW complaint on file. One complaint can name more than one system, so these add up to more than the complaint total. "Unknown or other" is excluded: it is what the intake form records when an owner cannot place the failure.
- ENGINE 2,761
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2,209
- AIR BAGS 1,345
- POWER TRAIN 1,327
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1,060
Open investigations (2)
NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining and has not closed the file. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
EA21002
Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021 · the air bags
Most recent BMW recalls
The newest campaigns naming a BMW, by the date the manufacturer's defect report reached NHTSA. Each one covers a build range, which may be narrower than the model years listed.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
26V525000 · August 12, 2026
An unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, a damaged driveshaft can result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
BMW of North America, LLC · up to 27,720 vehicles
Pages 2021 540I
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
26V524000 · August 12, 2026
An incorrectly attached steering spindle can lead to a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
BMW of North America, LLC · up to 13 vehicles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
26V478000 · July 23, 2026
An engine stall or failure of electrical systems such as the instrument display or ABS, increases the risk of a crash.
BMW of North America, LLC · up to 16,736 vehicles
Pages 2020 S 1000 RR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
26V441000 · July 8, 2026
A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
BMW of North America, LLC · up to 29,119 vehicles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
26V438000 · July 8, 2026
Fire increases the risk of injury.
BMW of North America, LLC · up to 318,495 vehicles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE
26V422000 · July 1, 2026
A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
BMW of North America, LLC · up to 428 vehicles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES
26V305000 · May 14, 2026
Corrosion on the electrical contacts may cause overheating, increasing the risk of a fire.
BMW of North America, LLC · up to 116 vehicles
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SEALS/GASKETS
26V214000 · April 2, 2026
An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.
BMW of North America, LLC · up to 9,160 vehicles
Pages 2018 K1600B 2018 K 1600 GTL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
26V115000 · February 26, 2026
Turn signals that fail to activate as intended increase the risk of a crash.
BMW of North America, LLC · up to 1 vehicles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
26V096000 · February 19, 2026
A damaged wiring harness can short-circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
BMW of North America, LLC · up to 58,713 vehicles
Every manufacturer's latest recalls, or check a single car with the VIN lookup.
Every BMW page on this site
249 vehicles across 74 models, newest model year first.
Built from NHTSA's complaint file published August 20, 2026, its recall campaign API and its defect investigation file. A complaint is one owner's unverified account, not a finding of fault. How this is counted. · All makes
Compiled and maintained by guarledes
Independent developer and analyst