Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 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 2,215,138 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 40,555 complaints for BMW
Incident date: Apr 21, 2026
I am submitting a claim pertaining to NHTSA Recall Number 25V636000 which pertains to a engine starter issue that can result in fire. This recall was reported first on September 23, 2025 and has been gone without a remedy. Since as of today, it has been 212 days without a solution that I am driving a car that may catch fire. This is too long and I am seeking remediation in the form of a replacemen... Read more
Incident date: Apr 21, 2026
The engine oil pump has an internal plastic housing that can fail and will cause oil pressure variations and even low pressure which can lead to engine failure. This has been documented for a while on various b58tu engines. This a very costly repair that can easily be 5000-6000 usd. Failure of the said part can also render that vehicle unable to drive.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
As I pulled out of a parking lot The vehicle suddenly jerked 90 degrees to the left and accelerated quickly into a ditch and a retaining wall. All airbags deployed.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
As I pulled out of a parking lot The vehicle suddenly jerked 90 degrees to the left and accelerated quickly into a ditch and a retaining wall. All airbags deployed.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
As I pulled out of a parking lot The vehicle suddenly jerked 90 degrees to the left and accelerated quickly into a ditch and a retaining wall. All airbags deployed.
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 22, 2026
While driving my 2021 BMW X7 at approximately 32,000 miles, the vehicle suddenly displayed a drivetrain malfunction warning along with a low engine oil pressure warning. At the same time, I noticed excessive heat and a strong burning smell coming from the vehicle. I also heard abnormal mechanical noises coming from the engine, which sounded like knocking or grinding. The engine failure occurred u... Read more
Incident date: Mar 19, 2026
ValveTronic motor and eccentric shaft is a very common issue that my specific car has. Affects the timing and makes a loud sound. Dangerous to drive in this condition.
Incident date: Mar 19, 2026
ValveTronic motor and eccentric shaft is a very common issue that my specific car has. Affects the timing and makes a loud sound. Dangerous to drive in this condition.
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
Reduced steering effort error message. No accident or injuries. Seems to be a known issue on BMWs. Likely covered under warranty but I feel should be reported
Incident date: Apr 18, 2026
With 1900 miles since purchase, car became undriveable. Displayed warnings included “high voltage failure” and “drivetrain malfunction”. Car had to be towed to dealer.
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
The heated seat element had a runway incident that caused the seat to smoke and burn a hole through multiple layers and ultimately damaging the airbag sensor mat disabling the passenger airbag system
Fire
Incident date: Mar 25, 2026
The heated seat element had a runway incident that caused the seat to smoke and burn a hole through multiple layers and ultimately damaging the airbag sensor mat disabling the passenger airbag system
Fire
Incident date: Apr 17, 2026
Spontaneous sunroof shatter.
Incident date: Apr 15, 2026
On April 15, 2026, while driving on the highway with my family in my 2025 BMW X5 (purchased new on September 25, 2025 from Principal BMW of Corpus Christi for approximately $75,000), the panoramic sunroof suddenly and violently exploded. The explosion sounded like a gunshot. Shards of glass sprayed throughout the cabin and got into our eyes. I was barely able to maintain control of the vehicle and... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2026
Incident Description: While driving with my two [XXX] children and husband under normal conditions, the panoramic sunroof glass on my 2025 BMW X5 xDrive50e suddenly and unexpectedly shattered without warning. At the time of the incident: There were no weather events (no hail, debris, or extreme conditions) I did not observe any object striking the vehicle There was no prior damage to the... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system might have been remotely hacked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, whe... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system might have been remotely hacked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, whe... Read more
Incident date: Apr 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system might have been remotely hacked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, whe... Read more
Incident date: Apr 11, 2026
The contact owned a 2021 BMW 330i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V056000 (Electrical System); 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 contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was smoke coming from under the passenger side f... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
oil filter housing is plastic and is bound to give I hadn’t reach 150k miles its an expensive job not normal maintenance problem bmw is expensive but recall this part to protect consumers
Incident date: Apr 16, 2026
Start blowing black smoke-while idling, over heated, stalled.
Incident date: Apr 16, 2026
Start blowing black smoke-while idling, over heated, stalled.
Incident date: Apr 16, 2026
Start blowing black smoke-while idling, over heated, stalled.
BMW
I7 XDRIVE60
(2026) — SEATS
Apr 16, 2026
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
I purchased a new 26 BMW I7 with the Rear Theater and Executive seating options, for my [XXX] & [XXX] daughter's to enjoy. The screen broke day one, and has spent 10 days in the shop the first 44 days of my ownership. Beyond my reliability, and technical issuws the car has a major safety flaw/concern i asked BMW to address. With the rear screen down and blinds up i have zero rear view mirror v... Read more
BMW
I7 XDRIVE60
(2026) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Apr 16, 2026
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
I purchased a new 26 BMW I7 with the Rear Theater and Executive seating options, for my [XXX] & [XXX] daughter's to enjoy. The screen broke day one, and has spent 10 days in the shop the first 44 days of my ownership. Beyond my reliability, and technical issuws the car has a major safety flaw/concern i asked BMW to address. With the rear screen down and blinds up i have zero rear view mirror v... Read more
BMW
I7 XDRIVE60
(2026) — VISIBILITY/WIPER
Apr 16, 2026
Incident date: Mar 5, 2026
I purchased a new 26 BMW I7 with the Rear Theater and Executive seating options, for my [XXX] & [XXX] daughter's to enjoy. The screen broke day one, and has spent 10 days in the shop the first 44 days of my ownership. Beyond my reliability, and technical issuws the car has a major safety flaw/concern i asked BMW to address. With the rear screen down and blinds up i have zero rear view mirror v... Read more
Incident date: Apr 8, 2026
I experienced a complete failure of the rear pneumatic (air) suspension system on my vehicle. This system uses rubber air springs (“airbags”) rather than conventional coil springs. When it failed, the rear of the vehicle dropped significantly, causing metal-to-metal contact, an extreme upward pitch of the front end, and pronounced instability. The vehicle became difficult to control, with exce... Read more
Incident date: Apr 16, 2026
It has come to my attention that liquid from the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system may leak onto the water pump electrical connector. This condition can lead to an electrical short circuit and, in rare cases, may increase the risk of a vehicle fire. This issue presents a serious safety concern for vehicle owners and others on the road. A failure of this nature, especially one that carrie... Read more
Incident date: Apr 13, 2026
I am reporting a safety concern involving BMW vehicles equipped with the B58 Technical Update (B58TU) engine, commonly found in model years 2019–2021. These vehicles use a variable-displacement oil pump with an internal thermoplastic component that regulates oil pressure. This component is increasingly failing in the field, often fracturing and causing sudden loss or instability of oil pressure... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
I'm reporting a safety issue with BMW vehicles equipped with the B58TU engine, primarily 2019-2021 models. These vehicles have an oil pump with an internal plastic component that regulates oil pressure, and this part is fracturing in the field, causing sudden loss of oil pressure. The failure typically occurs during cold starts in low temperatures. When it fails, oil pressure becomes erratic or is... Read more
Incident date: Mar 1, 2023
1.) The Steering Column 2.) The Column will get stuck and cannot be adjusted. 3.) Dealer has confirmed the problem & BMW USA has confirmed the problem 4.) No 5.) No Warnings BMW USA has offered a Fix for this issue and free fix if the car is under 50k miles however this is more of a safety issue as you cannot properaly adjust the steering wheel to the height needed to operate the car in a safe ma... Read more
Incident date: Mar 14, 2026
Emergency call system malfunction. Vehicle available for inspection. Warning appears and verified by dealer as common issue with vehicle type due to shark fin antenna seal leaks, causing corrosion in the module when in contact with water (including rain). Cause loss of GPS and wireless capability.
Incident date: Dec 20, 2025
Incident Date: [XXX] Problem Area: Electrical System / Charging System The DC fast charging (CCS) system on this 2023 BMW iX xDrive50 failed completely on [XXX] while traveling on a highway in Richmond, Virginia. The vehicle was unable to charge at an Electrify America station despite other vehicles — including an identical 2023 BMW iX xDrive50 — charging successfully at the same station. A se... Read more
Incident date: Dec 20, 2025
Incident Date: [XXX] Problem Area: Electrical System / Charging System The DC fast charging (CCS) system on this 2023 BMW iX xDrive50 failed completely on [XXX] while traveling on a highway in Richmond, Virginia. The vehicle was unable to charge at an Electrify America station despite other vehicles — including an identical 2023 BMW iX xDrive50 — charging successfully at the same station. A se... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2026
I recently took my 2019 X5 to the BMW dealership because of the recall (Engine starter) and the code P0456 (NVLD Minor Leak Fault). At the same time, there's a warning that says, "Oil at a minimum level. Add 1 liter immediately". I have the 3 Year Oil Plan and asked them to put some oil, but the dealership said that they can't add oil because the oil level wouldn’t read properly. They told me ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 BMW 840I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V644000 (Electrical System) in 2025. The contact had been working with the local dealer and was informed that parts were not available for the recall repair. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a re... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
On [XXX], while driving on a public highway, the vehicle shut off and came to a complete stop as I was going around a roundabout. I was in the inside lane, had just finished charging in Yuma, Az., and was just about to get back on the freeway heading back into California. Thankfully, there was no one behind me at that moment and I was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving. After arrivin... Read more
Incident date: Dec 27, 2023
On [XXX], while driving on a public highway, the vehicle shut off and came to a complete stop as I was going around a roundabout. I was in the inside lane, had just finished charging in Yuma, Az., and was just about to get back on the freeway heading back into California. Thankfully, there was no one behind me at that moment and I was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving. After arrivin... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
The sunroof drains of the vehicle become easily clogged. When this happens, water drains into the battery compartment and interior of the vehicle. Although BMW is aware of this, and the attendant danger of having water pooling in the battery compartment, they have not addressed the issue. There are no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the problem.
Incident date: Aug 1, 2023
The sunroof drains of the vehicle become easily clogged. When this happens, water drains into the battery compartment and interior of the vehicle. Although BMW is aware of this, and the attendant danger of having water pooling in the battery compartment, they have not addressed the issue. There are no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the problem.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Component: Front differential / xDrive drivetrain system. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Description: My 2020 BMW M340i xDrive has exhibited a persistent whining noise from the front drivetrain since approximately 38,000 miles. The noise varies with speed and load and appears to originate from the front differential. A BMW dealership inspected the vehicle and acknowledged the n... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2023
Component: Front differential / xDrive drivetrain system. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Description: My 2020 BMW M340i xDrive has exhibited a persistent whining noise from the front drivetrain since approximately 38,000 miles. The noise varies with speed and load and appears to originate from the front differential. A BMW dealership inspected the vehicle and acknowledged the n... Read more
Incident date: Jan 15, 2026
This car was purchased new from an authorized dealer. After about 3 months of operation, I noticed a crack in the windshield starting at the upper edge of the passenger side of the vehicle. The crack has since spread approx. halfway across the windshield. I'm concerned that this will continue until the windshield fails. I took it to the dealer who agreed that it didn't appear to have been struck... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
The fuel system was causing my engine to shut down, and I got it replaced at a mechanic. About some time later, after fixing the fuel system, I received a letter from BMW telling me that they had extended the warranty on the Fuel tank, but when I took it in, they said that there was no such extended warranty. The letter is from April 2022, but I just recently found it.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2022
The fuel system was causing my engine to shut down, and I got it replaced at a mechanic. About some time later, after fixing the fuel system, I received a letter from BMW telling me that they had extended the warranty on the Fuel tank, but when I took it in, they said that there was no such extended warranty. The letter is from April 2022, but I just recently found it.
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
Vehicle is experiencing critical mounting component failure very early on. Vehicle has under 50k miles but the engine mounts and thrush rod bushings are failing, putting the car at risk when driving or starting. It has been inspected by the dealership and the manufacturer has confirmed that the issue exists.
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
Vehicle is experiencing critical mounting component failure very early on. Vehicle has under 50k miles but the engine mounts and thrush rod bushings are failing, putting the car at risk when driving or starting. It has been inspected by the dealership and the manufacturer has confirmed that the issue exists.
Incident date: Sep 23, 2025
Good afternoon. I have called and spoken to my local BMW dealership at Grayson BMW service department many times. As of today they report no remedy and have no idea when a resolution will be available. Filing this complaint (second formal written complaint) due to lack of this not being in any sort of "timely manner." This recall is noted as an URGENT FIRE RISK WHEN PARKED for almost seven mon... Read more
Incident date: Feb 10, 2026
Safety Hazard: Oil Pump Failure Leading to Sudden Engine Stall (BMW B58TU engines) Description of Defect: The oil pump module in the 2020 BMW M340i (G20) contains internal plastic components that are prone to thermal degradation and premature failure. These plastic parts can crack or disintegrate, causing a sudden loss of oil pressure. Increasing wear on internal engine components and even leadin... Read more
Incident date: Mar 20, 2026
The vehicle's Telematics Control Box (TCB), located beneath the roof-mounted shark fin antenna, failed due to water intrusion and internal corrosion. The failure produced the following fault codes confirmed by BMW of Norwood, MA: B7F341 (backup battery hardware defective), B7F33C (internal ECU error), and B7F327 (microphone short circuit to ground), along with cascading faults across multiple othe... Read more