THE WEEKLY DRIVER

AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, CAR REVIEWS, AND PODCAST

Reliability Database

BMW

Engine Reliability & Known Problems

Based on 38,584 NHTSA complaints. Updated April 2026.

31 Models
80 Engines Rated
60 Generations
38,584 NHTSA Complaints
Engine Ratings Overview
35 recommended 13 caution 32 avoid

Luxury Sedan

16 models
1 Series
1 generation · 1 engine
2008-2013
1 avoid
3 Series
4 generations · 13 engines
2000-20062006-20112012-20182019-2025
7 recommended 6 avoid
5 Series
5 generations · 13 engines
2000-20032004-20102011-20162017-20232024-2026
4 recommended 1 caution 8 avoid
E46
1 generation · 1 engine
2000
1 recommended
F 650 Gs Us
1 generation · 0 engines
2009
i3
1 generation · 0 engines
2014-2021
i4
1 generation · 0 engines
2022-2025
i5
1 generation · 0 engines
2024-2025
i7
1 generation · 0 engines
2023-2025
iX
1 generation · 0 engines
2022-2025
K1200 Gt
2 generations · 0 engines
20072008
K1200 Lt
1 generation · 0 engines
2005
K1200Lt
4 generations · 0 engines
2000200120022003
K1200Rs
1 generation · 0 engines
2002
R1150 Rt
1 generation · 0 engines
2004
R1150Gs
1 generation · 0 engines
2002

Sports Car

7 models
2 Series
2 generations · 0 engines
2014-20212022-2025
4 Series
2 generations · 1 engine
2014-20202021-2025
1 caution
6 Series
2 generations · 3 engines
2004-20102012-2018
1 caution 2 avoid
8 Series
1 generation · 0 engines
2019-2025
Alpina Roadster
1 generation · 2 engines
2003
2 avoid
Z3
1 generation · 2 engines
2000-2002
2 caution
Z4
2 generations · 7 engines
2003-20082009-2016
4 recommended 2 caution 1 avoid

Compact SUV

4 models
X1
3 generations · 1 engine
2013-20152016-20222023-2025
1 avoid
X2
1 generation · 0 engines
2018-2023
X3
4 generations · 12 engines
2004-20102011-20172018-20242025-2026
7 recommended 1 caution 4 avoid
X4
2 generations · 0 engines
2015-20182019-2025

Midsize SUV

2 models
X5
4 generations · 16 engines
2000-20062007-20132014-20182019-2025
9 recommended 3 caution 4 avoid
X6
3 generations · 2 engines
2008-20142015-20192020-2025
1 caution 1 avoid

Full-Size Sedan

1 model
7 Series
4 generations · 6 engines
2002-20082009-20152016-20222023-2025
3 recommended 1 caution 2 avoid

Full-Size SUV

1 model
X7
1 generation · 0 engines
2019-2025
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