THE WEEKLY DRIVER

AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, CAR REVIEWS, AND PODCAST

Reliability Database

BMW

Engine Reliability & Known Problems

Based on 24,671 NHTSA complaints. Updated May 2026.

31 Models
211 Engines Rated
60 Generations
24,671 NHTSA Complaints
Engine Ratings Overview
89 recommended 66 caution 56 avoid

Luxury Sedan

8 models
E46
1 generation · 1 engine
2000
1 recommended
F 650 Gs Us
1 generation · 15 complaints
2009
K1200 Gt
2 generations · 42 complaints
20072008
K1200 Lt
1 generation · 19 complaints
2005
K1200Lt
4 generations · 134 complaints
2000200120022003
K1200Rs
1 generation · 18 complaints
2002
R1150 Rt
1 generation · 18 complaints
2004
R1150Gs
1 generation · 22 complaints · 1 recall
2002

Compact

2 models
1 Series
1 generation · 2 engines
2008-2013
1 caution 1 avoid
2 Series
2 generations · 4 engines
2014-20212022-2025
2 recommended 2 caution

Grand Tourer

2 models
6 Series
2 generations · 10 engines
2004-20102012-2018
4 recommended 3 caution 3 avoid
8 Series
1 generation · 3 engines
2019-2025
2 recommended 1 caution

Compact EV

2 models
i3
1 generation · 2 engines
2014-2021
2 caution
i4
1 generation · 1 engine
2022-2025
1 caution

Subcompact SUV

2 models
X1
3 generations · 7 engines
2013-20152016-20222023-2025
2 recommended 4 caution 1 avoid
X2
1 generation · 1 engine
2018-2023
1 caution

Compact SUV

2 models
X3
4 generations · 22 engines
2004-20102011-20172018-20242025-2026
12 recommended 5 caution 5 avoid
X4
2 generations · 7 engines
2015-20182019-2025
4 recommended 3 caution

Midsize SUV

2 models
X5
4 generations · 27 engines
2000-20062007-20132014-20182019-2025
9 recommended 9 caution 9 avoid
X6
3 generations · 9 engines
2008-20142015-20192020-2025
4 recommended 5 caution

Roadster

2 models
Z3
1 generation · 6 engines
2000-2002
5 caution 1 avoid
Z4
2 generations · 9 engines
2003-20082009-2016
4 recommended 3 caution 2 avoid

Compact Sedan

1 model
3 Series
4 generations · 31 engines
2000-20062006-20112012-20182019-2025
12 recommended 5 caution 14 avoid

Compact Coupe

1 model
4 Series
2 generations · 7 engines
2014-20202021-2025
3 recommended 2 caution 2 avoid

Midsize Sedan

1 model
5 Series
5 generations · 33 engines
2000-20032004-20102011-20162017-20232024-2026
12 recommended 8 caution 13 avoid

Full-Size Sedan

1 model
7 Series
4 generations · 22 engines
2002-20082009-20152016-20222023-2025
16 recommended 3 caution 3 avoid

Sports Car

1 model
Alpina Roadster
1 generation · 1 engine
2003
1 caution

Midsize EV

1 model
i5
1 generation · 1 engine
2024-2025
1 caution

Full-Size EV

1 model
i7
1 generation · 1 engine
2023-2025
1 caution

Midsize EV SUV

1 model
iX
1 generation · 1 engine
2022-2025
1 avoid

Full-Size SUV

1 model
X7
1 generation · 3 engines
2019-2025
2 recommended 1 avoid
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