AI DamageBMW M4: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the BMW M4 across 11 model years: 34 owner complaints and 132 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 32% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 29% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 21% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 21% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 7 Electrical system 3% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 3% of all complaints
- Engine: 11 complaints (32% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
- Powertrain: 10 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Suspension: 7 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 7 complaints (21% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 55.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 2015–2027
- automatic, 8-speed 2021–2027
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed 2015–2020
- manual, 6-speed 2015–2027
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 34 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| Powertrain | 10 | 0 | 9 |
| Suspension | 7 | 0 | 19 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 55 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 27 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 118 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 134 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 42 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 14 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
A complete fracture of this component will result in immediate wheel detachment, total loss of steering control, and a severe high-speed crash. This presents an extreme and immediate safety hazard to myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the road.
The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V684000 (Back Over Prevention) as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,000.
The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer, where it was diagnosed with an imbalanced drive shaft. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired due to the costs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.
Our safety was put at risk due to the fuel leak. Any small spark, overheating or if somebody threw a cigarette butt out of their window could have ignited our car. BMW informed me to immediately cease driving the car and bring to the dealership right away.
I could've easily caught fire and cause harm to myself and so many others. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I had it towed immediately the next day to a BMW dealership, and they stated the seams of the fuel tank are leaking.
Filled car with gas and drove home , came out 10 minutes later to a puddle of fuel under car , from the fuel tank on the rear driver side
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Intake Muffler Return
- The coverage period for qualifying lower rear side panel water drain repair that addresses the issues…
- Delivery Stop - Bearing Shell
- While driving on a smooth and/or unevenroad, a “cracking” sound is heard from therear wheel arch area…
- There may be an internal leakage in the brake fluid expansion tank (aka brake fluid reservoir)
- Evaporator Pipe Return
- Protection Plate Return
- In some situations, an emergency call may be triggered in the vehicle without either the customer pressing…
- Hood lever is pulled twice but the hood only achieves the pre-latch position on both sides
- A groaning sound from the front of the vehicle while driving can be heard, particularly while cornering
- Central Information Display (CID) in the vehicle is black or only displays “BMW”
- After replacing the Multifunctional Display (MFD), the Central Information Display (CID) is black
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- WAS IT WORTH REBUILDING THIS £93,000 BMW M4 COMPETITION ? PART 7amount per author: £76,000
- REBUILDING A WRECKED 2021 BMW M4 COMPETITION PART 5amount per author: £1,100
- REBUILDING A WRECKED 2021 BMW M4 COMPETITION PT 4amount per author: £990
- WE BOUGHT A WRECKED 2021 BMW M4 COMPETITION PART 1amount per author: 1 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- I BOUGHT A WRECKED 2023 BMW M4 Comp!amount per author: 90,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Rebuilding A 2018 BMW M4 Off Salvage Auction (Part 2)
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.