Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 2 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

2 total · 2 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Transmission recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 16V311000 · May 2016

If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Engine recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 11V332000 · Jun 2011

IF THE BELT TENSIONER FAILS, THERE COULD BE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE, IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, MANUAL STEERING CAPABILITY IS STILL RETAINED AND COULD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE BELT TENSIONER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417, OR VIA EMAIL AT [email protected].
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

44 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
25

Most reports here involve smoke. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

smoke 5loss of steering 3
A recent report: MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MILES / PER HOUR. SUDDENLY THE CAR SHOWED "ENGINE MALFUCTION - POWER REDUCED" AND SHE COULDN'T KEEP THE SPEED AND CAR STARTING LOSING…
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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MILES / PER HOUR. SUDDENLY THE CAR SHOWED "ENGINE MALFUCTION - POWER REDUCED" AND SHE COULDN'T KEEP THE SPEED AND CAR STARTING LOSING SPEED AND DROPPED TO 10 MILES / HOUR, SHE HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID THE DANGER OF BEING HIT BY OTHER CARS ON THE BUSY EXPRESSWAY. AFTER SHE PULLLED OVER AND CALLED ME, I DROVE TO THE PLACE WHERE SHE PARKED THE CAR AND USED A CODE READER TO FOUND SOME ERROR CODE "47C4", BUT AFTER RESTARTED CAR, CAR SEEMED OK. I DROPPED THE CAR AT BMW MOUNTAIN VIEW DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE "LOW PRESSURE EGR" WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A COST OF $1800. WE FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGER TO HAPPEN TO ANY CAR BECAUSE SUCH AN FAILURE IT'S NOT SAFE TO US AND ALSO TO OTHER DRIVERS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED!

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11219793 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
1

Most reports here involve rollaway.

rollaway 1
A recent report: THE CAR IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON -- PARKED ON A HILL WILL ROLL DOWN THE HILL WHILE COMPLETELY POWERED OFF. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE ON EVEN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF SLUSH ( NOT…
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THE CAR IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON -- PARKED ON A HILL WILL ROLL DOWN THE HILL WHILE COMPLETELY POWERED OFF. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE ON EVEN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF SLUSH ( NOT ICE.) I CAN ATTACH A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM HAPPENING IF NEED BE. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10561030 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
5

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of steering 3software faults 2
A recent report: 1. "IDLER PULLEY BOLT FAILED" - WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE PULLEY BOLT FAILED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I LOST POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE MESSAGE "CHARGING MALFUNCTION" APPEARED. I OPENED…
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1. "IDLER PULLEY BOLT FAILED" - WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE PULLEY BOLT FAILED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I LOST POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE MESSAGE "CHARGING MALFUNCTION" APPEARED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND PULLED OUT THE BROKEN BELTS. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE GARAGE AND IT COST ME ROUGHLY $900 TO FIX + THE TOWING FEE. 2. CAR HAD RATTLE SOUNDS. I HAD TO HAVE THE "STABILIZER BAR/CONTROL ARM/SHOCK N STRUT ASSEMBLY" REPLACED AT 75,141 MILES.......

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11114599 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
11

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 2loss of steering 1
A recent report: THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ON. DEALER REPORTS THERE IS A FAULT STORED FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT. I UNDERSTAND THAT BMW HAS HAD RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11208893 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
2

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 1
A recent report: SUNROOF DRAIN LINE TWISTING CAUSES WATER TO BACK-UP INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL FAULTS AS CONFIRMED BY FORMER BMW FRANCHISEE MECHANIC AND AS NOTED WIDELY THROUGHOUT BWM OWNER…
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SUNROOF DRAIN LINE TWISTING CAUSES WATER TO BACK-UP INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL FAULTS AS CONFIRMED BY FORMER BMW FRANCHISEE MECHANIC AND AS NOTED WIDELY THROUGHOUT BWM OWNER FORUMS. THIS KNOWN ISSUE FOR MODEL HAS NO REPAIR OPTION OTHER THAN CUTTING INTO A PILLAR TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE (SELF KINKING) LINE. VEHICLE STATIONARY IN THE RAIN AT TIME OF HARMFUL WATER INTRUSION. FAULT CODES OCCURRED AT IGNITION. FLOORBOARDS FILLED WITH WATER. MILDEW OCCURRED IN CARPETS. EXTENSION TO WARRANTY WARRANTED (LIKE DEFECTIVE NOX SENSORS).

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11165142 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 44 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2019, roughly 6 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.