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 7, 2026
Total circus I’m dealing with over this Recall 23V-707 nightmare. The timeline is wild. Buckle up: Here is how the madness has gone down: On XXX I drop the car off at [XXX] under its own power under RO #XXX. On XXX I pick it up, drive 46 miles, and it instantly turns into a blender full of marbles, backfiring and throwing a check engine light. On XXX it gets towed to [XXX] under RO #436050, and ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2026
I am on my third front differential in first in 2023, one in 2025 and now one in 2026. All M50I have this issue but the X5 M model does not.
Incident date: Jul 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that due to an unrelated failure with the steering column, the vehicle was towed to a dealer for service. The contact stated that the tow truck driver disconnected the battery prior to the vehicle being towed to the dealer. The... Read more
Incident date: Jul 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 528XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that due to an unrelated failure with the steering column, the vehicle was towed to a dealer for service. The contact stated that the tow truck driver disconnected the battery prior to the vehicle being towed to the dealer. The... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to immediately start. The vehicle started later. The engine and a yellow warning light flashed on the instrument panel. Upon research, the contact located the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt), for KBA Reference Number: 16131R, which was associated with the starter motor. The contact stated tha... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to immediately start. The vehicle started later. The engine and a yellow warning light flashed on the instrument panel. Upon research, the contact located the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt), for KBA Reference Number: 16131R, which was associated with the starter motor. The contact stated tha... Read more
Incident date: Aug 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to immediately start. The vehicle started later. The engine and a yellow warning light flashed on the instrument panel. Upon research, the contact located the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt), for KBA Reference Number: 16131R, which was associated with the starter motor. The contact stated tha... Read more
Incident date: Aug 5, 2026
While driving, suddenly, with no warning smoke came from under the hood. I got off the road and turned off car immediately. Luckily, since I did turn off the car so quickly, it did not burst into flames but did create a fire within the engine. I have video of fire damage and BMW quote on repair stating fire damage. As in the past with BMW, there is a documented history of PCV-heater fires. ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 5, 2026
While driving, suddenly, with no warning smoke came from under the hood. I got off the road and turned off car immediately. Luckily, since I did turn off the car so quickly, it did not burst into flames but did create a fire within the engine. I have video of fire damage and BMW quote on repair stating fire damage. As in the past with BMW, there is a documented history of PCV-heater fires. ... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 22, 2026
I am reporting a potential safety issue involving my **2026 BMW X3 30 xDrive**. I was parked on the right side of a parking lot. I moved the vehicle partially out of the parking space and slightly to the left to allow someone to enter the vehicle. I came to a stop and removed my foot from the brake while the vehicle was being held. I then turned toward the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle sudden... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 22, 2026
I am reporting a potential safety issue involving my **2026 BMW X3 30 xDrive**. I was parked on the right side of a parking lot. I moved the vehicle partially out of the parking space and slightly to the left to allow someone to enter the vehicle. I came to a stop and removed my foot from the brake while the vehicle was being held. I then turned toward the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle sudden... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 22, 2026
I am reporting a potential safety issue involving my **2026 BMW X3 30 xDrive**. I was parked on the right side of a parking lot. I moved the vehicle partially out of the parking space and slightly to the left to allow someone to enter the vehicle. I came to a stop and removed my foot from the brake while the vehicle was being held. I then turned toward the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle sudden... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 740LE. The contact stated that the starter failed and caused the A/C to not operate properly. There were several unknown messages displayed, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V441000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The co... Read more
Incident date: Aug 23, 2026
My mother was in the passenger seat and the seat belt buckle would not allow the tongue to be inserted. After several attempts we got it in but when we got home I tried to engage the seat belt several times, I tried to lubricate the buckle no luck... I ordered a new buckle. The BMW dealer said there had been no other complaints and it was not under recall. As soon as I get the new part I will reta... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
Description of the Complaint: I own a 2022 BMW X5 (VIN: [XXX], current mileage: approximately 39,500 miles as of 08/24/2026) equipped with the B58TU engine, which uses a plastic oil pump (part number 11418646454) rather than a metal one. I have not yet experienced an actual failure, but I am reporting this as a precautionary safety concern based on the following: 1. On BMW's official parts refer... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
Description of the Complaint: I own a 2022 BMW X5 (VIN: [XXX], current mileage: approximately 39,500 miles as of 08/24/2026) equipped with the B58TU engine, which uses a plastic oil pump (part number 11418646454) rather than a metal one. I have not yet experienced an actual failure, but I am reporting this as a precautionary safety concern based on the following: 1. On BMW's official parts refer... Read more
Incident date: Aug 24, 2026
Description of the Complaint: I own a 2022 BMW X5 (VIN: [XXX], current mileage: approximately 39,500 miles as of 08/24/2026) equipped with the B58TU engine, which uses a plastic oil pump (part number 11418646454) rather than a metal one. I have not yet experienced an actual failure, but I am reporting this as a precautionary safety concern based on the following: 1. On BMW's official parts refer... Read more
Incident date: Feb 13, 2026
On [XXX], I was driving down the road and a indicator light went off, indicating a malfunction. When I pulled over to the side, I shut the car off. I noticed something around the drivers side front end of the car. When I exited the vehicle, I seen fire (flame) coming from the front drivers side. It was located right in front of the tire. I called 911, Police and EMT was the first responders. By th... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Feb 13, 2026
On [XXX], I was driving down the road and a indicator light went off, indicating a malfunction. When I pulled over to the side, I shut the car off. I noticed something around the drivers side front end of the car. When I exited the vehicle, I seen fire (flame) coming from the front drivers side. It was located right in front of the tire. I called 911, Police and EMT was the first responders. By th... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Feb 13, 2026
On [XXX], I was driving down the road and a indicator light went off, indicating a malfunction. When I pulled over to the side, I shut the car off. I noticed something around the drivers side front end of the car. When I exited the vehicle, I seen fire (flame) coming from the front drivers side. It was located right in front of the tire. I called 911, Police and EMT was the first responders. By th... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Aug 8, 2026
Subject: Safety Complaint – 2025 BMW X7 LED Headlights Provide Insufficient Road Illumination Vehicle: 2025 BMW X7 Category: Exterior Lighting – Headlights Issue: Severely inadequate nighttime visibility Complaint: I am reporting a serious safety concern with the LED headlights on the 2025 BMW X7. The headlights provide poor road illumination, especially at night and on unlit roads. The be... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
On June 8, 2026, I parked my 2023 BMW XM on my residential driveway, exited the vehicle, and walked toward my residence. My Ring security camera captured the incident. The video shows: I exited the BMW and walked approximately 12 seconds to my front door. I entered my residence. Approximately three seconds later—roughly 15 seconds after I exited—the BMW began rolling. The headlights illuminate... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
On June 8, 2026, I parked my 2023 BMW XM on my residential driveway, exited the vehicle, and walked toward my residence. My Ring security camera captured the incident. The video shows: I exited the BMW and walked approximately 12 seconds to my front door. I entered my residence. Approximately three seconds later—roughly 15 seconds after I exited—the BMW began rolling. The headlights illuminate... Read more
Incident date: Jun 8, 2026
On June 8, 2026, I parked my 2023 BMW XM on my residential driveway, exited the vehicle, and walked toward my residence. My Ring security camera captured the incident. The video shows: I exited the BMW and walked approximately 12 seconds to my front door. I entered my residence. Approximately three seconds later—roughly 15 seconds after I exited—the BMW began rolling. The headlights illuminate... Read more
Incident date: Jul 12, 2026
I learned from Carfax on July 12, 2026 that a recall has been issued on my vehicle, a 2019 BMW 530e -- "Recall 26V-441:540 Engine Starter". The recall relates to the engine starter and I understand from my research that the engine could catch on fire, even when the car is turned off. Now 5 weeks later, I have not received ANY notification from BMW about the recall, the hazard it presents, nor th... Read more
Incident date: Jul 7, 2026
The A/C evaporator coil failed on my 2020 BMX X5 S40i prior to 27,564 miles. It was taken into the local dealer for evaluation at a cost of $811.33 and UV dye was added with refrigerant, which escaped over a 2 week period. The final diagnosis after a further two weeks and at a cost of $301.38, later confirmed that the evaporator coil needed to be replaced. The BMW Dealer quoted $6,686.35 for the r... Read more
BMW
X6 XDRIVE40I M SPORT
(2027) - UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Aug 22, 2026
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
High risk for future accident and also happens to passenger very blinding bright light straight into eyes
Incident date: May 23, 2026
I am requesting NHTSA assistance regarding a serious and recurring braking safety concern involving our BMW X5. We initially reported braking problems to BMW and brought the vehicle to the dealership for evaluation. We were advised that the vehicle was operating normally. Subsequently, a brake related recall was issued, and the vehicle underwent recall related service. Despite this, braking concer... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
While driving down the road my car gave me a notification “DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION” said full engine output not available then it just stopped and shut off (limp mode) it has done this multiple times and the shop says that it may be the High Pressure Fuel Pump. This has happened on a busy city road with high traffic and curvy roads where my car would not move and people could not see me when co... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
While driving down the road my car gave me a notification “DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION” said full engine output not available then it just stopped and shut off (limp mode) it has done this multiple times and the shop says that it may be the High Pressure Fuel Pump. This has happened on a busy city road with high traffic and curvy roads where my car would not move and people could not see me when co... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
My 2023 BMW 740i has experienced the same serious failure twice at approximately 21,000 miles. The exact component causing the failure is currently UNKNOWN. The vehicle is available for inspection and is currently being returned to an authorized BMW dealer for diagnosis. During the first incident, while driving, multiple warnings suddenly appeared involving chassis stabilization, regenerative bra... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
My 2023 BMW 740i has experienced the same serious failure twice at approximately 21,000 miles. The exact component causing the failure is currently UNKNOWN. The vehicle is available for inspection and is currently being returned to an authorized BMW dealer for diagnosis. During the first incident, while driving, multiple warnings suddenly appeared involving chassis stabilization, regenerative bra... Read more
Incident date: Aug 21, 2026
My 2023 BMW 740i has experienced the same serious failure twice at approximately 21,000 miles. The exact component causing the failure is currently UNKNOWN. The vehicle is available for inspection and is currently being returned to an authorized BMW dealer for diagnosis. During the first incident, while driving, multiple warnings suddenly appeared involving chassis stabilization, regenerative bra... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2026
The driveshaft malfunctioned which caused the vehicle to lose control. Yes, it is available at the repair shop. Wife was driving with mother-in-law and [XXX] child at highway speeds (55) requiring her to maintain control and pull over without getting hit by other cars. Independent repair shop confirmed the driveshaft failed and took out the transmission and transfer case. No warning/engine lights ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2026
2022 BMW X3 M40i. The Driver Assistance system appears to activate normally after startup with no warning or indication that a fault is present. However, within approximately 3–5 minutes of driving, a Check Control message appears stating “Driver Assistance limited. Camera vision.” The vehicle then identifies affected systems including Pedestrian Warning, Frontal Collision Warning, Side Coll... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2026
2022 BMW X3 M40i. The Driver Assistance system appears to activate normally after startup with no warning or indication that a fault is present. However, within approximately 3–5 minutes of driving, a Check Control message appears stating “Driver Assistance limited. Camera vision.” The vehicle then identifies affected systems including Pedestrian Warning, Frontal Collision Warning, Side Coll... Read more
Incident date: Aug 14, 2026
2022 BMW X3 M40i. The Driver Assistance system appears to activate normally after startup with no warning or indication that a fault is present. However, within approximately 3–5 minutes of driving, a Check Control message appears stating “Driver Assistance limited. Camera vision.” The vehicle then identifies affected systems including Pedestrian Warning, Frontal Collision Warning, Side Coll... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2026
The left hydraulic engine motor mount (P/N 22117581621) completely collapsed and failed at 6 years and only 24,811 miles. The right mount was also replaced at the same time (P/N 22117581622). The failure allows unsafe, excessive engine movement and shifting under rotational torque loads. This shifting creates an immediate safety hazard, risking the sudden compromise of surrounding mechanical syste... Read more
Incident date: Jul 13, 2026
The left hydraulic engine motor mount (P/N 22117581621) completely collapsed and failed at 6 years and only 24,811 miles. The right mount was also replaced at the same time (P/N 22117581622). The failure allows unsafe, excessive engine movement and shifting under rotational torque loads. This shifting creates an immediate safety hazard, risking the sudden compromise of surrounding mechanical syste... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 BMW X6. The contact stated that while reversing at 5 MPH in the driveway, there was an abnormal dragging sound coming from the vehicle while turning the steering wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was conta... Read more
Incident date: Jun 15, 2026
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Jun 15, 2026
See attached document for complaint
Incident date: Aug 7, 2026
On [XXX] as I was driving on [XXX] in Fl and got in to some traffic I noticed the car was shuddering a bit when I braked and I could here metal against metal coming from the brakes. I called SIXT 800 number and spoke to a Gentleman at their call center in Asia. He asked me why I needed brakes . I was shocked at his response , needless to say. He told me he reported it and I needed to return the c... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2026
We live in [XXX]. We own a 2021 BMW X5-45e. It has about 85,000 miles and has always been serviced by the BMW dealer here in [XXX] – Pierce BMW. On the evening of XXX I drove the vehicle home at 6:30PM after a 30 mile drive and parked the car outside in the shade of our house. The temperature at the time was approx. 95 degrees F. At 6:45PM we left the house and drove on the freeway and city str... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2026
We live in [XXX]. We own a 2021 BMW X5-45e. It has about 85,000 miles and has always been serviced by the BMW dealer here in [XXX] – Pierce BMW. On the evening of XXX I drove the vehicle home at 6:30PM after a 30 mile drive and parked the car outside in the shade of our house. The temperature at the time was approx. 95 degrees F. At 6:45PM we left the house and drove on the freeway and city str... Read more
Incident date: Jul 16, 2026
We live in [XXX]. We own a 2021 BMW X5-45e. It has about 85,000 miles and has always been serviced by the BMW dealer here in [XXX] – Pierce BMW. On the evening of XXX I drove the vehicle home at 6:30PM after a 30 mile drive and parked the car outside in the shade of our house. The temperature at the time was approx. 95 degrees F. At 6:45PM we left the house and drove on the freeway and city str... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
2025 BMW X5...warning lights appeared and voice said emergency stop... emergency stop and tried to pull me off the road. shut down the vehicle for a while... and started up. finished errands. got home. vehicle would not start in the morning. dealership said it was an issue with the braking system... electronics and dead battery . said repaired. got it back. happened again...but got it go... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
2025 BMW X5...warning lights appeared and voice said emergency stop... emergency stop and tried to pull me off the road. shut down the vehicle for a while... and started up. finished errands. got home. vehicle would not start in the morning. dealership said it was an issue with the braking system... electronics and dead battery . said repaired. got it back. happened again...but got it go... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2026
2025 BMW X5...warning lights appeared and voice said emergency stop... emergency stop and tried to pull me off the road. shut down the vehicle for a while... and started up. finished errands. got home. vehicle would not start in the morning. dealership said it was an issue with the braking system... electronics and dead battery . said repaired. got it back. happened again...but got it go... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2026
Our vehicle's check engine light came on, and we took it to the dealership as it is still under factory warranty. The dealership determined upper radiator blind slat was broken and detached due to an impact. I completely disagree as there is no signs of impact, and there are only signs that this is a poorly designed part. About two weeks after this first event, I was looking for a way to fix th... Read more