BMW X4 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data

On July 12, 2026, I received notice that my 2025 BMW X4 xDrive30i is subject to NHTSA Recall 26V-438 involving the engine starter. I contacted BMW of Austin on July 13 and again on July 27 to schedule the recall repair. On both occasions, I was informed that the remedy was unavailable. No estimated repair date was provided. I then contacted BMW Recall Support Services. BMW confirmed in writing that the remedy remains unavailable and that there is no established timeframe for when it will become available. BMW also instructed me to park my vehicle away from structures until the recall repair is completed and not to use the Remote Engine Start feature through the My BMW App or remote key. BMW further instructed me to discontinue driving if I experience a delayed start, require multiple attempts to start the vehicle, or notice other starting-related concerns. However, BMW simultaneously stated that I may continue driving the vehicle and that it will not provide a loaner vehicle, rental vehicle, alternative transportation, or other accommodation while the safety defect remains unrepaired. I have not yet experienced a fire or starting-related symptoms. My complaint concerns the ongoing safety risk and the lack of an available remedy or estimated repair date. BMW has advised me to park away from structures because of the recall, but it has not explained whether the risk can occur while the vehicle is parked and turned off, what distance qualifies as “away from structures,” or how owners without access to remote outdoor parking can safely comply. I am concerned that BMW is permitting continued operation of affected vehicles while acknowledging a potential fire risk, imposing significant safety precautions, and providing neither a repair timeframe nor a practical interim solution. I request NHTSA review BMW’s current owner guidance, the ongoing unavailability of the remedy, absence of a repair timeline, and whether affected owners should receive clearer instructions

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 loss and engine failure. This is uncommon for a vehicle that has 65k miles. The engine failure comes without warning; there are no check engine light warnings. The vehicle's engine just fails I discovered the oil pump failure when I found it unusual that I had to add oil twice over a 6-month period. I took it to the dealer, where they informed me of the issue. This is extremely dangerous, especially when an engine locks up at high speeds on a highway.

The contact owns a 2021 BMW X4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). While the vehicle was in park(P), there were abnormal sounds coming from the engine. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and the brake pedal was depressed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several occasions, but the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and was currently being diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Went to sit in driver rear seat and put on my seat belt and found it frayed apart. Thought this was od and tried the rear passenger side only to find the exact same thing. Took it to the dealer in Visalia, CA. They said that they have never seen anything like that before. After discovering that both belts were broken in the same spot, they concluded it must be caused by wear in the retracting mechanism, but because the car was out of manufacturer's warranty they could only sell me new ones. I believe this is a very serious safety issue because as they were starting to fray apart the belts may have not had enough strength to restrain someone during an accident. Glad this was discovered before that happened!

BOTH rear seat belts have broken off in the same spot. Went to use the driver's side rear seat belt and found it had been broken (frayed off). Moved to the passenger side and found the exact same thing. This could have been a bad situation if in an accident had occurred where they had not completely frayed but would have failed. Took it to my local dealer and they had no answers as to how this could have happened but suggesting that it most likely happened inside the recoil mechanism. They offered no other remedy other than to have me pay for replacement since the car was out of manufactory warranty,

transfer case AWD/xDrive system drivetrain components The dealer diagnosed a transfer case failure on the BMW X4 xDrive. Vehicle displayed drivetrain malfunction warning. Repair estimate exceeds $20,000. The vehicle has under 50,000 miles. The issue appears consistent with known xDrive transfer case complaints. The warning light came on on January 7, 2026, at approximately 6 pm.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Suspension How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Its giving head ache and body pain, driver & passengers are jumping / shaking / feeling very uncomfortable Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Dealer mentioned all good, it designed this way Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - yes by BMW Service center Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No The car's performance and handling is good, but the biggest concern is with suspension. Bad experience in the driver's seat and more bad in the passenger seat. I understand if the suspension is not performing in sport mode, but even in comfort mode the suspension is not even working 10%. Really frustrated and getting depressed. Why is it mentioned as comfort mode and not doing the intended job ? Why is the car being advertised and sold as it has Adaptive suspension ? really the car has suspension ? The car is wobbling / shaking and very rough even for very small bumps / uneven surfaces (the car is just falling into it). It gives a headache when driving on a speed breaker even at 5 MPH. I really feel like the car has no suspension. Mentioning and selling with comfort mode where it is not doing the intended job is definitely a defective and design flaw. I would not have purchased it if it does not has comfort mode. Its happening all the time and from 5 to 70 mile speed. Please help me on this.

I have a [XXX] child who is in a car seat, fully locked in. He is able to open the door handle from the inside. The door handle is in arms reach. Totally unsafe, the child can open the door with the car in motion. It has happened numerous times. My sister has the same car with a [XXX] old, being able to do the same thing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Windshield crack around heating elements and rearview mirror mount. There 3 cracks that extend to top of windshield to a horizontal crack. These look like one hook, J and a staightline that forms right angle to the one about a foot long behind readview mirror mount. There are no rocks chips evident. This occurred in a time span of 80 minutes. I actually heard the popping or cracking like when a plastic bottle air is restricted during elevation climb or desent but did not know what it was. Elevant was about 12,000 feet.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2023 BMW X4. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 52,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 90,000. The State of Mississippi advised the contact to reach out to the State of Tennessee for assistance.

PURCHASED A CUSTOMIZED BMW X4 NOV.2022 FROM BMW DEALERSHIP. DEC. 2022 BRAKES HAVE A LOUD SCREAMING NOISE WHEN REVERSE. SPOKE WITH DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND VEHICLE WAS SEEN APPROX. 6 TIMES BY SERVICE DEPT ABOUT THE BRAKES. CORPORATE COMPLAINT FILED ABOUT LOUD NOISE OF BRAKES, CORPORATE SENT OUT AN ENGINEER OUT TO TEST DRIVE THE X4 TO UNDERSTAND AND DESCRIBE THE BRAKE NOISE. I WAS TOLD THE NOISE WAS FROM DUST OF THE VEHICLE BEING NEW AND ITS NORMAL. THE TRUCK STILL HAS LOUD SCREAMING NOISE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED BY BMW DEALERSHIP WITH CORPORATE CLOSING OUT THE CLAIM.