Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim, NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,245,377 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports, when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report, that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints, specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened, feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 41,082 complaints for BMW
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that underneath the steering wheel ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approxi... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
The timing chain broke at highway speed causing the engine to become completely inoperable. Apparently this is EXTREMELY COMMON in the BMW N20 ENGINS. This is extremely dangerous considering literally everything from driving to steering and braking is powered by the engine. When it fails this puts people in severe situations. Please do SOMETHING to make BMW remedy this situation.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Unknown my car has been smoking g very bad lately idk if it is cause but this but this recall has never been fixed on my car would like to get looked at
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Unknown my car has been smoking g very bad lately idk if it is cause but this but this recall has never been fixed on my car would like to get looked at
Incident date: Jul 14, 2022
I purchased a used car that now has a passenger restraint sensor warning. Please fulfill a recall as this is a recurring issue with bmw
Incident date: Jul 14, 2022
I purchased a used car that now has a passenger restraint sensor warning. Please fulfill a recall as this is a recurring issue with bmw
Incident date: Jul 14, 2022
I purchased a used car that now has a passenger restraint sensor warning. Please fulfill a recall as this is a recurring issue with bmw
Incident date: Jul 23, 2022
The vehicle features a panoramic sunroof with a retractable sunroof shade. The sunroof shade is attached to the sides of the vehicle ceiling with glue that fails over time and causes the sunshade to partially or completely detach from the ceiling of the vehicle, causing a dangerous obstruction to visibility. From research, this is a common problem that BMW has not remedied for many years.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2022
Cruise control malfunction. Multiple times brining you to dealership.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2022
Cruise control malfunction. Multiple times brining you to dealership.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2022
Cruise control malfunction. Multiple times brining you to dealership.
Incident date: Jul 27, 2022
The coolant started leaking at the weep hole under the oil pan. This is a pretty common issue for many 2020 and 2021 model year. Upon researches, it is caused by bad the O-Ring/Seal of the water/oil pump inside the oil pan that must be replaced. Some models leaked coolant and engine oil at the same time but mine just leaked coolant for now. Already scheduled an appointment for a warranty work to h... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2022
The coolant started leaking at the weep hole under the oil pan. This is a pretty common issue for many 2020 and 2021 model year. Upon researches, it is caused by bad the O-Ring/Seal of the water/oil pump inside the oil pan that must be replaced. Some models leaked coolant and engine oil at the same time but mine just leaked coolant for now. Already scheduled an appointment for a warranty work to h... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Sunshae blind is falling off on one side causing bad view of a light while driving I'm a tall man. Electric issue possible causing the track to function wrong causing sun shade to tear off. Small amount thin line of adhesive can be seen on the cloth shade. Please issue something about this many drivers on car threads have this issue.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Sunshae blind is falling off on one side causing bad view of a light while driving I'm a tall man. Electric issue possible causing the track to function wrong causing sun shade to tear off. Small amount thin line of adhesive can be seen on the cloth shade. Please issue something about this many drivers on car threads have this issue.
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
Sunshae blind is falling off on one side causing bad view of a light while driving I'm a tall man. Electric issue possible causing the track to function wrong causing sun shade to tear off. Small amount thin line of adhesive can be seen on the cloth shade. Please issue something about this many drivers on car threads have this issue.
Incident date: Jul 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The consumer sta... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2022
July 28 2022 while parked and I. The off position my 2007 b.m.w 335xi began bellowing black smoke from under the hood of the vehicle. I quickly discovered the origin was behind was in the housing for the vehicles blower motor. Once I realized I could put the fore out I called emergency services, they responded but the vehicle was completely destroyed.
Fire
Incident date: Jun 28, 2022
July 28 2022 while parked and I. The off position my 2007 b.m.w 335xi began bellowing black smoke from under the hood of the vehicle. I quickly discovered the origin was behind was in the housing for the vehicles blower motor. Once I realized I could put the fore out I called emergency services, they responded but the vehicle was completely destroyed.
Fire
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine And Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph whe... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2022
Car doesn’t hold a battery Wants to start 2% of the time Engine shook the pulley off so have troubles steering It’s under recall for a few things I would love a new car from bmw because this one is a nightmare the bmw tech advised me not to drive it so have been carless all year pretty much
Incident date: Feb 16, 2022
Car doesn’t hold a battery Wants to start 2% of the time Engine shook the pulley off so have troubles steering It’s under recall for a few things I would love a new car from bmw because this one is a nightmare the bmw tech advised me not to drive it so have been carless all year pretty much
Incident date: Feb 16, 2022
Car doesn’t hold a battery Wants to start 2% of the time Engine shook the pulley off so have troubles steering It’s under recall for a few things I would love a new car from bmw because this one is a nightmare the bmw tech advised me not to drive it so have been carless all year pretty much
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced an unstated failure and ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confi... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2021
The oil filter housing gasket, the mechatronic transmission and the electrical system failed. Yes, it is available for inspection. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk as a result of my vehicle losing power suddenly while I was driving on the highway. I was driving at the highway speed limit and my vehicle malfunctioned and lost power while others were at high speeds. I had to abr... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2021
The oil filter housing gasket, the mechatronic transmission and the electrical system failed. Yes, it is available for inspection. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk as a result of my vehicle losing power suddenly while I was driving on the highway. I was driving at the highway speed limit and my vehicle malfunctioned and lost power while others were at high speeds. I had to abr... Read more
Incident date: Jun 18, 2021
The oil filter housing gasket, the mechatronic transmission and the electrical system failed. Yes, it is available for inspection. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk as a result of my vehicle losing power suddenly while I was driving on the highway. I was driving at the highway speed limit and my vehicle malfunctioned and lost power while others were at high speeds. I had to abr... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2018
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 750LI. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a loud rattling sounding coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certificated mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing belt was worn and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and the contact was informed that a representative woul... Read more
Incident date: May 4, 2022
Fuel pump leaking gas due to cracks on top of fuel pump
Incident date: May 4, 2022
Fuel pump leaking gas due to cracks on top of fuel pump
Incident date: Jul 26, 2022
With no prior warning or issues my car displayed a drive train error followed by a low pressure error and immediately lost power. The timing chain blew and destroyed the engine.
Incident date: Jul 18, 2022
We dropped our BMW X-3 on April 11, 2022, to get checked out, due to a continued check engine light. We had dropped it a few weeks prior because of the same issue. We thought they had corrected the problem as the check engine light was no longer on after the first time we received it back. The car stalled a couple of times at the stop light when accelerating. They have done extensive work, they ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 19, 2022
During extreme hot days car has just stopped without warning three times. Fuel pump has been replaced twice , now they are saying wiring from the fuel pump to the computer system the wiring bad? No warning ever!
Incident date: Jul 19, 2022
I just went to Union Park Bmw about my car, they stated that my car fuel pump was recalled in 2017 so it was fixed, in 2021 l was stranded twice in 100 degree weather on the side road when the fuel pump went out, so this is the third time this vehicle has had new fuel pumps, now this month on Tuesday 7 /19 when it was hot as hades it stopped again same way it did prior , had it towed and they stat... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2022
EGR LEAKING I WENT TO DEALER IRVINE BMW CA , ALSO I WENT TO MIDAS TO CHECK MY CHECK ENGIN LIGHT MIDAS SAID REPAIR SHOULDE BE COVERD BY MANFATURE. SO I TAKE MY CAR TO IRVINE BMW , THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECAL BUT I CALLED DEALR THEY SAID DEAL HAVE TO COVEER ITS RECAL SO I WENT HERE SEE NO RECAL SO I NEED ANSWER, WHOS RIGHT OR WRONG ITS SAFTEY ISSUE ENGIN SUDDNEY GO DOWN SLOW WHEN SIGN COME FOR ENG... Read more
Incident date: Jul 6, 2022
When in reverse, the vehicle doesn't give any warning (audio or visual) that a person or vehicle is approaching on either side.
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2004 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in warm weather, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The contact continued driving with caution to his destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer ... Read more
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
BACKREST LOCK, RIGHT SEAT BACKREST IN THIRD ROW OF SEATS IS NOT IN END POSITION. REMOVE ANY OBSTRUCTING OBJECTS IF NECESSARY. READJUST SEAT SETTING. ( ERROR MESSAGE)
Incident date: Jan 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 530XI. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle overheated with a message to pull over displayed. The contact was able to pull over safely and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the failure was not related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was informed th... Read more
Incident date: Jun 23, 2022
Transmission: Secure vehicle from rolling I just began getting this warning chime without an error code. However, when I search online there are hundreds of BMW X1 owners (2016) reporting the same issue. In addition, owners of Mini Coopers (Minis) which are built on the same chasis, with the same components as the BMW X1 also report this same issue. NTSA should issue a recall if this issue is as s... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325XI. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that approximately 7-months after the repair, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where a diagnostic test showed that a wire from the A-pillar connector to side air bags... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2017
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V676000 (Electrical System) and 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact h... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2017
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V676000 (Electrical System) and 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact h... Read more
Incident date: Mar 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced ha... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2022
Need asap reply, Hello this is the worse service I ever had to encounter March 10 2022 till present date I haven’t gotten my vehicle back from https://www.mckennabmw.com/ had been a back n forth matter. This recall has gone way too far my pregnant wife n mother in law we’re in vehicle when it broke down. I been in a loaner vehicle from the date shown above. This need to be look at asap I’m c... Read more
Incident date: Mar 10, 2022
Need asap reply, Hello this is the worse service I ever had to encounter March 10 2022 till present date I haven’t gotten my vehicle back from https://www.mckennabmw.com/ had been a back n forth matter. This recall has gone way too far my pregnant wife n mother in law we’re in vehicle when it broke down. I been in a loaner vehicle from the date shown above. This need to be look at asap I’m c... Read more