BMW X4 problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 79 owner complaints and 29 recalls on file for the BMW X4 (2014–2026). The 2020 X4 has the most serious complaints, most often about electrical system.

Complaints
79
Recalls
29
Model years
13
Worst year
2020

Complaints by model year

201411201592016220171120187201914202062021420228202332024420252026
NHTSA complaints per BMW X4 model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst BMW X4 years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2020 BMW X4 — 14 complaints, 1 crash; top problem: Electrical System
  2. 2015 BMW X4 — 11 complaints, 1 crash, 1 fire; top problem: Engine

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2014 (0 complaints).

Every BMW X4 model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2026 X400001—
2025 X440001Engine
2024 X431001Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2023 X482112Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2022 X440005Brakes
2021 X460007Seats & Seat Belts
2020 X41410010Electrical System
2019 X470007Transmission & Drivetrain
2018 X4112101Engine
2017 X420002Electrical System
2016 X491012Engine
2015 X4111105Engine
2014 X400001—

Most common BMW X4 problem areas (all years)

  • Engine
    29 complaints
  • Electrical System
    24 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    11 complaints
  • Brakes
    9 complaints
  • Airbags
    5 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    5 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    5 complaints
  • Suspension
    5 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    4 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    2 complaints

Complaint trend

20252026
Complaints about the BMW X4 received by NHTSA each month.

BMW X4 recalls

  • Recall 26V056000Jan 30, 202687,394 vehiclesModel years 2021–2023

    Risk: Fire increases the risk of injury.

  • Recall 25V671000Oct 8, 20253 vehiclesModel years 2026

    Risk: Water inside electrical components can cause a loss of headlights or door closing functions, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an electrical short circuit may occur, increasing the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

  • Recall 25V636000Sep 23, 2025199,674 vehiclesModel years 2020–2022

    Risk: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 24V910000Dec 5, 2024130 vehiclesModel years 2025

    Risk: An air bag that is damaged during deployment can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

  • Recall 24V608000Aug 13, 2024720,796 vehiclesModel years 2015–2018

    Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 23V821000Dec 6, 2023552 vehiclesModel years 2023

    Risk: Transmission oil that leaks into the control unit can lead to a seizure of the transmission gears, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V797000Nov 24, 2023486 vehiclesModel years 2014–2015

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 23V770000Nov 16, 2023201 vehiclesModel years 2024

    Risk: A loose steering gear can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V211000Mar 29, 202351 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 22V070000Feb 9, 20224 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: An internal transmission leak can result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 21V831000Oct 22, 20212,577 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: The incorrectly positioned license plate lamp cutouts could cause confusion to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V646000Aug 18, 202113 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: Incorrect tire size and pressure information could result in the wrong tires being installed, or improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V598000Aug 2, 202150,024 vehiclesModel years 2020–2021

    Risk: Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V521000Jul 8, 2021138 vehiclesModel years 2019

    Risk: A deactivated front air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 21V199000Mar 24, 202117 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: Fuel may leak through the failed weld, increasing the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 21V096000Feb 19, 202113,858 vehiclesModel years 2019–2021

    Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 20V598000Sep 30, 2020312 vehiclesModel years 2020–2021

    Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 20V355000Jun 15, 20202,779 vehiclesModel years 2020

    Risk: A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 20V164000Mar 19, 20203,316 vehiclesModel years 2020

    Risk: If the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioners deploy improperly in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

  • Recall 20V152000Mar 18, 202015 vehiclesModel years 2019–2020

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag could damage the instrument panel and cause small pieces of the panel to strike the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 19V738000Oct 16, 201920 vehiclesModel years 2020

    Risk: A loss of steering control increases risk of a crash.

  • Recall 19V684000Sep 27, 2019257,473 vehiclesModel years 2019–2020

    Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 19V678000Sep 25, 2019368 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2020

    Risk: Broken swivel bearings can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 19V563000Jul 31, 201920 vehiclesModel years 2019

    Risk: In the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury if the seatback folds forward or rearward.

  • Recall 19V291000Apr 10, 201950 vehiclesModel years 2019

    Risk: If the front passenger air bag does not deploy properly in the event of a crash, the occupant has an increased risk of injury.

Other BMW models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology