📊 BMW reliability

BMW recalls & common problems by model

How BMW models compare on safety-recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, most recalls first. Found the car you want? Check its exact VIN.

50models compared

1,761recall campaigns on file

22,960owner complaints on file

Model	Years	On record	Recall campaigns	Owner complaints
X5	1999–2026	36,655	193	2,980
X3	1995–2026	17,686	125	2,241
X6	2008–2026	4,739	93	104
330I	2000–2025	2,797	72	121
5 Series	1992–2020	4,314	65	2,134
M3	1987–2025	583	63	543
328I	1994–2016	4,438	61	1,591
R 1200GS	2004–2020	377	61	0
X7	2007–2025	1,714	53	293
530I	1982–2025	1,929	51	71
325I	1985–2011	383	50	313
Z4	2002–2026	567	44	1,199
X4	2014–2025	2,317	44	74
3 Series	1994–2021	8,498	42	5,840
525I	1981–2020	1,062	39	160
335I	2006–2016	419	37	275
740I	1992–2025	852	37	92
X1	2009–2026	7,020	32	508
M5	1988–2026	501	31	192
328xi	2007–2018	936	29	31
528I	1983–2017	2,910	28	661
540I	1991–2025	1,161	28	118
328D	1999–2018	548	27	180
128i	2008–2013	79	27	162
IX	2021–2025	330	27	101
6 series	1989–2019	690	24	139
M340I	2017–2026	487	23	71
320I	1981–2026	4,970	22	98
750I	1987–2022	433	22	41
7 Series	1995–2020	1,209	20	987
430I	2016–2025	672	20	0
I4	2021–2025	517	18	10
325	1983–2018	336	17	59
M4	2014–2024	220	17	46
335xi	2007–2016	120	17	16
323I	1983–2015	275	16	570
I3	2013–2025	2,983	16	181
750li	2006–2022	152	15	37
535I	1985–2018	1,498	14	419
1 Series	2008–2013	405	14	0
R 1250GS	2018–2023	191	14	0
S 1000RR	2009–2026	313	14	0
228I	2013–2025	302	13	7
R 1250GS Adventure	2018–2023	206	13	0
K1200S	2004–2008	56	13	0
428I	2013–2016	954	12	113
318I	1981–2023	3,961	12	93
535D	2004–2017	570	12	64
530E	2012–2024	732	12	16
XM	2008–2025	120	12	9

How to read this. Recall campaigns are safety defects acknowledged by the manufacturer or NHTSA — they're repaired at no charge by a franchised dealer, and more of them means more issues were formally addressed. Owner complaints are individual reports to NHTSA, not confirmed faults, and they partly reflect how many of a model were sold and how long it's been on the road — so read them as a prompt to inspect, not a verdict. Always check the specific VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.

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