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: Aug 29, 2026
Driving on highway using assisted driving pro (hands off steering wheel and feet off pedals). Speed set for 65 or 67. Driver's phone call came up on display screen. Passenger answered and hung up on screen. Driver did not touch wheel. Car started accelerating. Reached 93 mph before realized what was happening and able to apply brakes. Short time later tried to reengage speed and verbally requested... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2025
Last year around this time my differential failed and I lost all power to my wheels when driving in traffic in [XXX] on my way back to [XXX]. The car was driving and a loud clunk sound came from the car and the transmission wouldn't drive and I had to coast off the road cutting off cars to make it to a parking lot. I thought this was just something that happened to my car that maybe I did but then... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 BMW X3. The contact stated that after purchasing the salvaged vehicle at an auction, the contact became aware while attempting to register the vehicle, that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V438000 (Electrical System). A dealer was contacted for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that the part to complete the recall repair was not ye... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
The High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) on my vehicle has experienced a catastrophic premature failure for the second time, presenting a severe and immediate safety hazard. This vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Recall 21V-586 in 2022 at 66,165 miles, during which the original defective fuel pump was replaced by an authorized BMW dealership. At approximately 123,000 miles, the replacement pu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 30, 2026
I am getting error code 21A50A and 216115 which Starter Overheating that can cause fire. Similar error code were coming on other cars and BMW have recalled it the recall number is 26V056. I ask BMW and NHTSA to include 330E in this recall as 330E is similar to 330I. 330I and 330E uses same parts and similar design and excluding the 330E from this recall doesn't make sense.
Incident date: Sep 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 BMW X6. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost power, and the contact was unable to maneuver the vehicle or accelerate as needed. The heat management module warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and caused the vehicle to lose motive power. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure was confirmed by the dealer... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
COMPONENT: Engine mounts (left and right hydraulic engine mounts). Both are still installed on the vehicle and are available for inspection on request. FAILURE DESCRIPTION: I began hearing a knocking noise from the engine bay whenever I accelerated. I first noticed it on approximately August 19, 2026. The noise occurred under acceleration only and was not present at idle. There were no warning la... Read more
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
I own a 2023 BMW 330i xDrive. The factory passenger-side/right-front inner LED daytime running light has failed while the other headlight functions continue to operate normally. The vehicle has not been involved in a collision, the headlight has not been physically damaged, and no aftermarket DRL or headlight components have been installed. The affected factory BMW/HELLA right-front headlamp is B... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
My 2025 Bmw 230i xdrixe has multiple infotainment issues from rear view camera,voice commands not working screen will go blank.Iil measurement will stop. working.Rear suspension is very bouncy and creeks like crazy Bmw has Tsb about this but Holman bmw will not repair it
Incident date: Aug 31, 2026
On 8/31/2026 this 2020 BMW X4 was serviced at an authorized dealer (BMW of Tyler) to execute the remedy for official NHTSA Safety Recall Campaign 25V-636 (Engine Starter Relay Fire Risk). INCIDENT DESCRIPTION: Within minutes of picking up the vehicle post-repair and entering an active roadway, the vehicle suffered an immediate, un-warned, total loss of all electrical power. The engine stalled, all... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2025
My 2023 BMW M2 6-speed manual suffered a catastrophic clutch/transmission/drivetrain failure at approximately 16,000 miles. The vehicle is stock and was still under BMW warranty/CPO coverage. I purchased the vehicle at approximately 6,000 miles and I am the third owner. The incident occurred in [XXX] on [XXX], on the [XXX] side/westbound area. While driving, the clutch/pressure plate assembly fai... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2026
Catastrophic Driveshaft U-Joint failure - BMW X5 - Production date? 09.22.2014 Repair was made by BMW Dealership. Noted similar recall on 2011-2014 models. I believe my car was an early 2015 production model and was effected by the same issue. Current mileage on the vehicle is 93,000 miles.
Incident date: Jul 28, 2026
was driving down the highway in heavy traffic going 70 mph and Sunroof exploded. Glass rained down on me while driving. The glass was actually risen like it had exploded upward, which is why I do not think a rock or anything else hit my vehicle.
Incident date: Apr 11, 2026
COMPONENT / FAULT CATEGORY: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM / POWER TRAIN / BLIND SPOT WARNING SUMMARY OF THE DEFECT: On April 11, 2026, my 2019 BMW X5 suffered a sudden electronic system shutdown at highway speeds near the 210 exit, stranding the car on the roadway and requiring AAA towing. BMW of Ontario falsely blamed "liquid damage" in the GSW shifter and texted an inflated quote of $6,616.05, later reduce... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2026
COMPONENT / FAULT CATEGORY: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM / POWER TRAIN / BLIND SPOT WARNING SUMMARY OF THE DEFECT: On April 11, 2026, my 2019 BMW X5 suffered a sudden electronic system shutdown at highway speeds near the 210 exit, stranding the car on the roadway and requiring AAA towing. BMW of Ontario falsely blamed "liquid damage" in the GSW shifter and texted an inflated quote of $6,616.05, later reduce... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2026
COMPONENT / FAULT CATEGORY: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM / POWER TRAIN / BLIND SPOT WARNING SUMMARY OF THE DEFECT: On April 11, 2026, my 2019 BMW X5 suffered a sudden electronic system shutdown at highway speeds near the 210 exit, stranding the car on the roadway and requiring AAA towing. BMW of Ontario falsely blamed "liquid damage" in the GSW shifter and texted an inflated quote of $6,616.05, later reduce... Read more
Incident date: Jun 11, 2025
Oil pump for the 2020 model is made with plastic internals. The passage that controls the flow of oil into your engine is made of plastic. The car didn’t even have 40,000 miles and the plastic broke causing the passage to be in a very close to shut position not allowing enough oil to enter the engine in higher rpm. The mechanic told me this is the biggest thing he is starting to see and he works... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that the headlights and taillights remained illuminated after the vehicle was turned off. Additionally, the vehicle intermittently failed to start up. The contact stated that AAA jump-started the vehicle, and it was determined that the battery was in good working condition. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that the headlights and taillights remained illuminated after the vehicle was turned off. Additionally, the vehicle intermittently failed to start up. The contact stated that AAA jump-started the vehicle, and it was determined that the battery was in good working condition. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that the headlights and taillights remained illuminated after the vehicle was turned off. Additionally, the vehicle intermittently failed to start up. The contact stated that AAA jump-started the vehicle, and it was determined that the battery was in good working condition. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V438000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 had not exper... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2026
On XXX, while stopped at a traffic light, I accelerated normally in my 2022 BMW 540i. After moving only a few feet, I heard a loud metallic clank from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle immediately lost all ability to propel itself. It would still shift between gears, but pressing the accelerator would not move the vehicle. A drivetrain warning appeared after the failure. There were no meaningfu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 31, 2026
The contact owns a 2024 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V438000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. 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 and confirmed that parts were no... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
Rear differential failed, internal gears compromised. Noticed problem when going into gear. Vehicle no longer is able to go in gear and will shut off engine. No indication lights prior to failure. Vehicle showed drivetrain error as soon as it had failed. Vehicle was in main road when failure occurred, placing vehicle at risk. Upon BMW technician inspection, there were no leaks, fluid was clean b... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2026
My sunroof exploded. No signs of anything dropping on it or falling from another vehicle. Shade roof was open. Covered me and my passenger in glass.
Incident date: Aug 16, 2026
Engine seized on freeway. Car has 99,000 miles. Dealership says engine seized and has to be replaced at a higher cost than the car is worth. Unknown warning lights.
Incident date: Aug 14, 2026
I own a 2010 BMW R1200RT motorcycle. The motorcycle was subject to BMW’s fuel-pump recall, and the recall repair was performed in 2014. The motorcycle has now developed a crack in the fuel-pump flange at the base of the female quick-disconnect fuel fitting. The crack is allowing gasoline to leak under pressure. The motorcycle has the metal reinforcement ring associated with the previous recall ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
2020 BMW M5 a metal-shavings engine failure at highway speed is a safety event. I had total catastrophic engine failure at less than 50,000 miles. No warning lights, found metal shavings in the engine system and engine needs complete replacement. I discovered that the very first and most important service at 1200 miles was never performed by BMW of [XXX]. It has been detailed by managers in writin... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
2020 BMW M5 a metal-shavings engine failure at highway speed is a safety event. I had total catastrophic engine failure at less than 50,000 miles. No warning lights, found metal shavings in the engine system and engine needs complete replacement. I discovered that the very first and most important service at 1200 miles was never performed by BMW of [XXX]. It has been detailed by managers in writin... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
2020 BMW M5 a metal-shavings engine failure at highway speed is a safety event. I had total catastrophic engine failure at less than 50,000 miles. No warning lights, found metal shavings in the engine system and engine needs complete replacement. I discovered that the very first and most important service at 1200 miles was never performed by BMW of [XXX]. It has been detailed by managers in writin... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2026
Vehicle suffered a catastrophic engine fire while parked due to fuel line separation under open recall 04V303000.
Fire
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
In two separate instances, I used the parking assist to back into a parking spot. Both times, the car moved forward but came so close to the car in front that I applied the brake. I felt that there would have been contact if I hadn’t. No reported damages in either instance. I stopped using the feature and will report to BMW service.
Incident date: Aug 28, 2026
Following front brake service, a 2015 BMW 435xi developed two distinct braking anomalies: aggressive unintended brake application during highway driving in wet conditions with cruise control engaged, and low-speed dragging and abrupt grabbing just before coming to a complete stop. The technical symptoms strongly suggest a malfunction in the Dynamic Stability Control brake-drying routine or an issu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2026
Following front brake service, a 2015 BMW 435xi developed two distinct braking anomalies: aggressive unintended brake application during highway driving in wet conditions with cruise control engaged, and low-speed dragging and abrupt grabbing just before coming to a complete stop. The technical symptoms strongly suggest a malfunction in the Dynamic Stability Control brake-drying routine or an issu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
When starting my car and moving it into the reverse position or drive it starts to sometimes stalls. It doesn't happen all the time but does happen. It tells me the car is not in park. I brought it to a shop and they said it's the crankshaft sensor and there is a recall for cars like mine but not my specific vin. The car shop had it happen to them as well and they confirmed it. No warnings b... Read more
Incident date: Aug 27, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while driving up a ramp at 5 MPH, the transmission unintendedly shifted into Neutral (N) and the engine experienced a total loss of motive power. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle rolled backward, struck the front bumper of another vehicle, and stopped upon impact. The vehicle sustained rear bumper damage. The airbags did not deplo... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
I was driving my 2025 BMW X5 sDrive40i at approximately 60 mph when the vehicle in front of me stopped abruptly. I immediately applied the brake pedal firmly in an attempt to make an emergency stop. Despite applying heavy and continuous pressure to the brake pedal, the braking force felt unusually weak. The vehicle slowed gradually but continued rolling forward much farther than I expected and di... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 8, 2026
Component: Engine Cooling System: Turbocharger Coolant Return Line/Fitting (Part # 11538854735). Defect Summary: The factory turbocharger coolant return line on the B48 engine uses a plastic quick-disconnect fitting and O-ring mechanism positioned directly under the turbo. Extreme thermal cycling causes this plastic to degrade, become brittle, and fail or separate without warning, resulting in imm... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2026
I am reporting a safety concern involving BMW vehicles with the B58TU engine, model years 2019-2021. These engines use a variable-displacement oil pump with an internal thermoplastic adjusting ring that regulates oil pressure. Field failures are being reported in which this component fractures, causing sudden loss or instability of oil pressure. Owners and independent shops report catastrophic en... Read more
Incident date: Aug 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 BMW 750i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine independently shut off. The engine overheating warning light illuminated, and the message "Engine Cooldown" was displayed. After several attempts, the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed engine starter that needed replacement. The vehi... Read more
Incident date: Aug 26, 2026
While the daytime running lights are on (this vehicle has front and rear daytime running lights, so when the DRL’s are on, the taillights are illuminated as well as the front daytime running lights). When the DRL’s are on, and you use a turn signal, the rear turn signals are almost invisible to the naked eye during the day time. Reason being, the DRL’s are on, so the rear tail lights are sli... Read more
Incident date: Aug 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while idling, there was smoke emerging from under the hood, and the contact discovered that the electrical connection for the water pump caught fire. No warning light illuminated. The contact extinguished the fire using a fire extinguisher. No injury was reported, and no police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while idling, there was smoke emerging from under the hood, and the contact discovered that the electrical connection for the water pump caught fire. No warning light illuminated. The contact extinguished the fire using a fire extinguisher. No injury was reported, and no police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
On XXX approximately 2:02am my car was seen on fire parked in driveway on [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
My 2025 BMW X4 xDrive30i is subject to NHTSA recall 26V438, reported 07/08/2026, covering an engine starter that can wear prematurely and, in an extreme case, overheat and cause a fire. My BMW account shows the status as Remedy Not Available. NHTSA's VIN lookup confirms the recall is incomplete with no remedy available. I am filing because there is no remedy for me to obtain. BMW has not released... Read more
Incident date: Jul 8, 2026
My 2025 BMW X4 xDrive30i is subject to NHTSA recall 26V438, reported 07/08/2026, covering an engine starter that can wear prematurely and, in an extreme case, overheat and cause a fire. My BMW account shows the status as Remedy Not Available. NHTSA's VIN lookup confirms the recall is incomplete with no remedy available. I am filing because there is no remedy for me to obtain. BMW has not released... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 BMW 230I. The contact stated that while his son was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact's son attempted to start the vehicle again, and the check engine warning light was blinking. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the vehicle was diagnosed with a misfire and crankshaft failure. The contact was informed that the valve... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X3. While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for maintenance, the technician discovered an active coolant leak coming from the coolant expansion tank. The mechanic stated that the leak was caused by excessive system pressure stressing the factory plastic tank. The mechanic informed the contact that if the issue was not resolved, the failure might become a major ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 15, 2025
The oil level reading is failing at 16% due to an oil pump malfunction. BMW has addressed this on all 2022+ b58 engine but all prior years have the plastic failing oil pump. The had to upgrade it because it cause catastrophic failure to the engine. It creates oil pressure with plastic parts and was upgraded to all metal in 2022. There should be a recall for this part since it can cause catastr... Read more
Incident date: Aug 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V438000 (Electrical System). The local dealer confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.