📊 BMW reliability
BMW recalls & common problems by model
How BMW models compare on safety-recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, most recalls first. Found the car you want? Check its exact VIN.
50models compared
2,240recall campaigns on file
22,149owner complaints on file
| Model | Years | On record | Recall campaigns | Owner complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X5 | 1999–2026 | 36,655 | 194 | 2,980 |
| X3 | 1995–2026 | 17,686 | 127 | 2,263 |
| X6 | 2008–2026 | 4,739 | 95 | 104 |
| 330I | 2000–2025 | 2,797 | 90 | 121 |
| M3 | 1987–2025 | 583 | 78 | 565 |
| R 1200GS | 2004–2020 | 377 | 78 | 0 |
| 328I | 1994–2016 | 4,438 | 74 | 1,714 |
| 325I | 1985–2011 | 383 | 69 | 428 |
| 5 Series | 1992–2020 | 4,314 | 65 | 2,134 |
| Z4 | 2002–2026 | 567 | 60 | 1,211 |
| 530I | 1982–2025 | 1,929 | 60 | 71 |
| X7 | 2007–2025 | 1,714 | 53 | 293 |
| 740I | 1992–2025 | 852 | 50 | 114 |
| 750I | 1987–2022 | 433 | 46 | 48 |
| M5 | 1988–2026 | 501 | 45 | 216 |
| X4 | 2014–2025 | 2,317 | 44 | 74 |
| 3 Series | 1994–2021 | 8,498 | 42 | 5,840 |
| 540I | 1991–2025 | 1,161 | 42 | 164 |
| 525I | 1981–2020 | 1,062 | 41 | 163 |
| 335I | 2006–2016 | 419 | 40 | 275 |
| R 1200RT | 1998–2018 | 157 | 39 | 0 |
| X1 | 2009–2026 | 7,020 | 37 | 525 |
| 325XI | 2000–2009 | 65 | 37 | 14 |
| 330XI | 2000–2025 | 407 | 37 | 11 |
| R 1200R | 1997–2020 | 60 | 37 | 0 |
| 325 | 1983–2018 | 336 | 35 | 135 |
| S 1000RR | 2009–2026 | 313 | 35 | 0 |
| 128i | 2008–2013 | 79 | 34 | 162 |
| R 1200GSA | 2006–2017 | 10 | 34 | 0 |
| 528I | 1983–2017 | 2,910 | 29 | 664 |
| 328xi | 2007–2018 | 936 | 29 | 31 |
| IX | 2021–2025 | 330 | 28 | 114 |
| K1200S | 2004–2008 | 56 | 28 | 0 |
| 328D | 1999–2018 | 548 | 27 | 180 |
| F 800GS | 2008–2026 | 125 | 27 | 0 |
| 323I | 1983–2015 | 275 | 26 | 575 |
| 135I | 2008–2013 | 25 | 26 | 100 |
| 330CI | 2000–2012 | 52 | 25 | 83 |
| R 1200GS-ADV | 2006–2018 | 36 | 25 | 0 |
| 535I | 1985–2018 | 1,498 | 24 | 439 |
| 6 series | 1989–2019 | 690 | 24 | 139 |
| K1600GT | 2011–2026 | 59 | 24 | 0 |
| M340I | 2017–2026 | 487 | 23 | 71 |
| 750il | 1988–2016 | 44 | 23 | 24 |
| 430I | 2016–2025 | 672 | 23 | 6 |
| 750 LI | 1995–2022 | 183 | 23 | 0 |
| 320I | 1981–2026 | 4,970 | 22 | 98 |
| K1200R | 2004–2008 | 19 | 22 | 0 |
| K1600GTL | 2011–2026 | 107 | 22 | 0 |
| K1300S | 2005–2015 | 30 | 22 | 0 |
How to read this. Recall campaigns are safety defects acknowledged by the manufacturer or NHTSA — they're repaired at no charge by a franchised dealer, and more of them means more issues were formally addressed. Owner complaints are individual reports to NHTSA, not confirmed faults, and they partly reflect how many of a model were sold and how long it's been on the road — so read them as a prompt to inspect, not a verdict. Always check the specific VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
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Check a BMW VIN →Decode its VIN for recalls, known problems and a fair-price range — then weigh the full history.