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 2, 2026
The starter on my BMW failed, and it overheated and damaged my alternator to the point that I needed to replace it. The dealer and independent service center confirmed that this was the cause, but BMW is refusing to reimburse the cost of the alternator replacement. I was at the exit of a highway and could not even put the car in neutral, so my safety was significantly at risk.
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
The starter on my BMW failed, and it overheated and damaged my alternator to the point that I needed to replace it. The dealer and independent service center confirmed that this was the cause, but BMW is refusing to reimburse the cost of the alternator replacement. I was at the exit of a highway and could not even put the car in neutral, so my safety was significantly at risk.
Incident date: Apr 9, 2026
While driving the vehicle, the blower (A/C) began to cycle on and off. Then I began to smell electrical smoke. Then I began to see smoke coming from vents and where the windshield meets the dashboard, closer to the passenger side. I pulled over and shut off the car as the smoke was getting worse inside the car. I popped the hood and saw smoke coming from the passenger side. I then called 911. Sm... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
The front passenger side door is unable to open from inside or outside the vehicle. The door actuator failed, and this has been confirmed by the dealer. This is an obvious safety issue as it prevents egress in an emergency. According to Internet forums, this seems to be a known issue across BMW platforms.
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
The front passenger side door is unable to open from inside or outside the vehicle. The door actuator failed, and this has been confirmed by the dealer. This is an obvious safety issue as it prevents egress in an emergency. According to Internet forums, this seems to be a known issue across BMW platforms.
Incident date: Mar 31, 2026
2021 BMW X3 M40i – Starter Motor Failure Matches NHTSA 26V056000 Defect (No-Start at Stop Light + Excessive Starter Torque Fault + Fire Risk) I am filing this safety complaint regarding a sudden starter motor failure on my 2021 BMW X3 M40i. On March 31, 2026, the vehicle stalled at a stop light and displayed the message “car can be restarted in XX seconds.” After the timed period elapsed an... Read more
Incident date: Feb 21, 2026
While driving on the interstate lost coolant through the oil cooler housing. I had to quickly get to the shoulder of the road having to cross several lanes of traffic. The car had to be towed. I had it towed to the dealership where I purchased it as I paid for an extended warranty. Warranty company denied the claim. Through research I am finding this is an issue with BMWs as they part is plastic a... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly overheated, and the engine temperature warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the coolant line to the cylinder had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campa... Read more
Incident date: Apr 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (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: Mar 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 528I. The contact stated that there was water accumulated inside the passenger’s side headlight assembly, causing the daytime running light to become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the headlight assembly and module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2026
Due to a TSB (SIB 65 12 22) wherein the roof antennae leaks water and causes a short in the telemetry module, the car does not have pedestrian warning, navigation or backup camera / cross traffic warning. The car is drivable, but compromised from a safety perspective.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2026
Due to a TSB (SIB 65 12 22) wherein the roof antennae leaks water and causes a short in the telemetry module, the car does not have pedestrian warning, navigation or backup camera / cross traffic warning. The car is drivable, but compromised from a safety perspective.
Incident date: Mar 15, 2026
Due to a TSB (SIB 65 12 22) wherein the roof antennae leaks water and causes a short in the telemetry module, the car does not have pedestrian warning, navigation or backup camera / cross traffic warning. The car is drivable, but compromised from a safety perspective.
Incident date: Apr 7, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recal... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
ON 3 APRIL 2026 I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 BMW Z4 SDRIVE 30I E89 N52K (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) THAT HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT, SUDDENLY A STEERING ASSISTANCE MALFUNCTION TROUBLE LIGHT APPEARED AND I LOST ALL ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT!! THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CONTROL RETURNED. ON APRIL 4 I LOST THE STEERING CONTRO... Read more
Incident date: Apr 2, 2026
ON 3 APRIL 2026 I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 BMW Z4 SDRIVE 30I E89 N52K (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) THAT HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT, SUDDENLY A STEERING ASSISTANCE MALFUNCTION TROUBLE LIGHT APPEARED AND I LOST ALL ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT!! THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CONTROL RETURNED. ON APRIL 4 I LOST THE STEERING CONTRO... Read more
Incident date: Jan 28, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 BMW I5. The contact stated that while driving at 6 MPH before dawn, the brakes became inoperable while making a left turn and a right U-turn around a van. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard, went up the curb, made a quick right turn to avoid a major crash, and eventually crashed into a hedge and a sign. The driver shifted to neutral, and the vehicle rolled to t... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
I am reporting a safety concern regarding BMW vehicles equipped with the B58 Technical Update (B58TU) engine, commonly found on models from 2019 to 2021. The oil pump in these vehicles is failing prematurely. I was told this by service technicians at BMW and confirmed it through my own research. The oil pump failure is due to a plastic adjusting ring breaking. The result is severe oil pressure lo... Read more
Incident date: Mar 27, 2026
I am reporting a safety concern regarding BMW vehicles equipped with the B58 Technical Update (B58TU) engine, commonly found on models from 2019 to 2021. The oil pump in these vehicles is failing prematurely. I was told this by service technicians at BMW and confirmed it through my own research. The oil pump failure is due to a plastic adjusting ring breaking. The result is severe oil pressure lo... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
We have experienced a mechanical issue with the harness system. Specifically, the straps become extremely difficult to tighten or loosen over time. To adjust them, I have to pull with the full force of a 200lb adult, to the point where it literally shakes the car. Despite following all manufacturer instructions—including cleaning the adjuster area and checking for twisted straps—the problem pe... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
We have experienced a mechanical issue with the harness system. Specifically, the straps become extremely difficult to tighten or loosen over time. To adjust them, I have to pull with the full force of a 200lb adult, to the point where it literally shakes the car. Despite following all manufacturer instructions—including cleaning the adjuster area and checking for twisted straps—the problem pe... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2025
The AC evaporator failed due to a known manufacturing defect common across the BMW G-chassis platform (G05, G07, G30). This has created two severe safety hazards: The refrigerant leak causes the windshield to fog up instantly and unexpectedly while driving, completely obstructing my visibility and nearly causing an accident. Chemical fumes and oil from the leaking evaporator are entering the... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2025
The AC evaporator failed due to a known manufacturing defect common across the BMW G-chassis platform (G05, G07, G30). This has created two severe safety hazards: The refrigerant leak causes the windshield to fog up instantly and unexpectedly while driving, completely obstructing my visibility and nearly causing an accident. Chemical fumes and oil from the leaking evaporator are entering the... Read more
Incident date: Aug 20, 2025
The AC evaporator failed due to a known manufacturing defect common across the BMW G-chassis platform (G05, G07, G30). This has created two severe safety hazards: The refrigerant leak causes the windshield to fog up instantly and unexpectedly while driving, completely obstructing my visibility and nearly causing an accident. Chemical fumes and oil from the leaking evaporator are entering the... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); 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 dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part to do the recall repair was not available. The manufac... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 320I. The contact stated that the Drive Train Failure, Check Engine, and Engine Overheating warning lights were illuminated. There was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle, and fluid was leaking underneath the vehicle near the muffler and under the driver's side seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the codes were cleared but the failures persist... Read more
Incident date: Dec 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 320I. The contact stated that the Drive Train Failure, Check Engine, and Engine Overheating warning lights were illuminated. There was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle, and fluid was leaking underneath the vehicle near the muffler and under the driver's side seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the codes were cleared but the failures persist... Read more
Incident date: Apr 6, 2026
The defect has left the driver stranded several times and required multiple tows due to the vehicle becoming unsafe and inoperable. On one occasion, the vehicle broke down after a 2.5-hour drive away from home and had to be towed because the overheating and coolant leak issue made it unsafe to continue driving. The vehicle is operated in a region where summer temperatures frequently exceed 115°... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 BMW X3. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal thumping sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, and the cont... Read more
Incident date: Feb 11, 2026
My car was parked at home and hadnt been driven in hours. My neighbor contacted me, saying that my car was on fire. I went outside, and it was on fire, and the fire department was called. After BMW conducted an investigation, they deemed the car fire to be related to the active recall. The manufacturer (BMW) is violating the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (49 U.S Code Section 3012... Read more
Fire
Incident date: Mar 26, 2026
This motorcycle has had a history of stalling while riding, this issue has persisted through two "repairs" that the dealership deemed safe. It stalled on the way back from retrieving the motorcycle from the supposed repair and put me in a life threatening scenario when the motorcycle stalled in traffic in front of a diesel in a construction zone without any available shoulders. The error that disp... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 26, 2026
This motorcycle has had a history of stalling while riding, this issue has persisted through two "repairs" that the dealership deemed safe. It stalled on the way back from retrieving the motorcycle from the supposed repair and put me in a life threatening scenario when the motorcycle stalled in traffic in front of a diesel in a construction zone without any available shoulders. The error that disp... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 26, 2026
This motorcycle has had a history of stalling while riding, this issue has persisted through two "repairs" that the dealership deemed safe. It stalled on the way back from retrieving the motorcycle from the supposed repair and put me in a life threatening scenario when the motorcycle stalled in traffic in front of a diesel in a construction zone without any available shoulders. The error that disp... Read more
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 30, 2026
I am reporting a potential safety defect in BMW vehicles equipped with the B58TU engine, primarily model years 2019–2021. These vehicles use an oil pump containing an internal plastic component responsible for regulating oil pressure. This component has been reported to fracture in service, resulting in sudden and complete loss of oil pressure. Failures commonly occur during cold starts in low ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
Vehicle History & Initial Defect: I took delivery of a used 2025 BMW i5 in November 2025 (~1025 mi). Upon delivery, the vehicle immediately displayed a persistent "Acoustic Pedestrian Warning" failure. This was a direct violation of FMVSS No. 141 (Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and EV). Despite dealer assurances that a software update would resolve the issue, the failure persisted through m... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
Vehicle History & Initial Defect: I took delivery of a used 2025 BMW i5 in November 2025 (~1025 mi). Upon delivery, the vehicle immediately displayed a persistent "Acoustic Pedestrian Warning" failure. This was a direct violation of FMVSS No. 141 (Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and EV). Despite dealer assurances that a software update would resolve the issue, the failure persisted through m... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
Vehicle History & Initial Defect: I took delivery of a used 2025 BMW i5 in November 2025 (~1025 mi). Upon delivery, the vehicle immediately displayed a persistent "Acoustic Pedestrian Warning" failure. This was a direct violation of FMVSS No. 141 (Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and EV). Despite dealer assurances that a software update would resolve the issue, the failure persisted through m... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2026
I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding a defect in my 2020 BMW X3 that has resulted in the failure of a critical emergency safety system. The vehicle displayed an error message indicating an “Emergency Call System Malfunction.” I brought the vehicle to BMW of Murrieta on March 30, 2026, for diagnosis and repair. Upon inspection, the service center determined that the Telematic C... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2026
On and off system notification of "Passenger Restraint System Malfunction" with and without a passenger in the seat. Also, the Airbag off/disabled light on the instrument cluster illuminated. Can't seem to declare if it is an electrical shortage, seatbelt buckle related or passenger pressure sensor sensor in the seat. Find this to be a major safety concern should there be an accident, and unsure w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2026
On and off system notification of "Passenger Restraint System Malfunction" with and without a passenger in the seat. Also, the Airbag off/disabled light on the instrument cluster illuminated. Can't seem to declare if it is an electrical shortage, seatbelt buckle related or passenger pressure sensor sensor in the seat. Find this to be a major safety concern should there be an accident, and unsure w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 5, 2026
On and off system notification of "Passenger Restraint System Malfunction" with and without a passenger in the seat. Also, the Airbag off/disabled light on the instrument cluster illuminated. Can't seem to declare if it is an electrical shortage, seatbelt buckle related or passenger pressure sensor sensor in the seat. Find this to be a major safety concern should there be an accident, and unsure w... Read more
Incident date: Apr 4, 2026
The engine Unknown The problem was confirmed by BMW as they sent me a notice. Unknown Unknown
Incident date: Feb 16, 2026
The electric A/C compressor on my 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e (VIN [XXX] ) failed internally at approximately 59,000 miles, causing metal debris to circulate throughout the refrigerant system. The failed compressor and contaminated components are at BMW of Sterling (Sterling, VA) and available for inspection. This is a safety concern because the A/C refrigerant circuit provides thermal management for th... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
Plastic oil filter housing part cracked and leaked all my anti freeze out on I 95. This incident caused me to have my car towed 3 times to various dealer and shops for repair. Total cost of this repair was approximately 2K with parts and labor + 300. for towing. No warning from BMW - this could have caused myself and others great harm out there on 95 and if I had to drive farther to find a saf... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2026
Plastic oil filter housing part cracked and leaked all my anti freeze out on I 95. This incident caused me to have my car towed 3 times to various dealer and shops for repair. Total cost of this repair was approximately 2K with parts and labor + 300. for towing. No warning from BMW - this could have caused myself and others great harm out there on 95 and if I had to drive farther to find a saf... Read more
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
I had gotten into a head on collision in January. My insurance had refused to cover me because I had only been insured for a month. Now I’m trying to get it fix out of pocket. I’m finding out about more repairs needed ASAP. My engine might be gone.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
I had gotten into a head on collision in January. My insurance had refused to cover me because I had only been insured for a month. Now I’m trying to get it fix out of pocket. I’m finding out about more repairs needed ASAP. My engine might be gone.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2026
I had gotten into a head on collision in January. My insurance had refused to cover me because I had only been insured for a month. Now I’m trying to get it fix out of pocket. I’m finding out about more repairs needed ASAP. My engine might be gone.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2026
I was driving my 2025 X7 and the sunroof unexpectedly and spontaneously exploded above my head. I had left my house about 2 minutes prior, driving 40 mph on street near my home. I was in the middle lane of a 6-lane wide street, no car ahead of me and no cars to the side or behind me. Nothing hit my car at all. The glass from the sunroof shattered leaving a large hole, and glass was caught in the s... Read more
Incident date: Dec 10, 2025
I am having a high voltage system box fault. I am within warranty but the dealership is denying me. My in service date is 6-2016.