Safety score
40/100
Average recall-severity risk Lower recall-severity risk than 24% of makes we track.

BMW scores 40 out of 100 (grade C) for recall severity, which ranks it 40 of 52 makes and about average across brands. The score is the recall-weighted average of its models, so the brands with the most do-not-drive and critical-safety recalls sit at the bottom. How the score works.

In total, NHTSA lists 261 BMW recall campaigns across 24 models for the 2010-2026 model years. The single largest affected 917,106 vehicles. The system recalled most often is the electrical system.

A high recall count usually tracks how many cars a brand sells and how long its models have been on the road, not how dangerous they are. The safety score below adjusts for that by weighing how serious and recent each recall is. The table further down breaks every BMW model out so you can see which ones drive the count.

BMW recalls by year

BMW recalls by affected system

How BMW compares

Makes ranked by recall-severity score (higher is better). BMW is highlighted.

RankMakeScoreRecalls
#37 Chevrolet C 42 372
#38 Alfa Romeo C 42 30
#39 McLaren C 42 15
#40 BMW C 40 261
#41 GMC D 38 208
#42 Fiat D 35 24
#43 Ram D 33 194

All BMW models

ModelScoreRecallsLargest recallYears
X5 D 25 81 917,106 2010-2026
3 Series C 57 61 917,106 2010-2025
X3 D 30 61 917,106 2010-2026
5 Series B 62 57 917,106 2010-2026
X6 F 12 46 840,000 2010-2026
7 Series B 77 39 266,716 2010-2025
X7 B 68 32 266,716 2019-2026
4 Series D 21 31 720,796 2014-2026
X4 D 32 29 720,796 2014-2026
X1 D 25 26 840,000 2012-2026
2 Series F 17 22 720,796 2014-2026
Z4 B 72 22 917,106 2010-2023
6 Series B 71 14 367,682 2010-2019
i7 F 13 14 266,716 2023-2025
i4 F 4 12 71,286 2022-2025
iX F 4 12 71,286 2022-2025
8 Series D 37 11 257,473 2019-2025
1 Series A 88 10 917,106 2010-2013
i5 F 11 9 266,716 2024-2026
i3 B 66 8 32,000 2014-2019
X2 D 25 8 266,716 2018-2026
XM F 11 8 266,716 2023-2024
i8 B 72 6 4,509 2014-2020
Alpina A 84 4 3,256 2020-2025

Recent BMW recalls

  • 5 Series Feb 19, 2026 · 58,713 vehicles · NHTSA 26V096000

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 M5 Sportswagon, 2025-2026 M5, 2024-2025 750e xDrive, 2025-2026 550e xDrive, 2023-2025 I7, 2023-2025 7 Series, 2024-2026 i5, and 5 Series vehic…

  • 2 Series Feb 4, 2026 · 202 vehicles · NHTSA 26V064000

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2026 228i Gran Coupe, 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, and M235i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with rear lights that may not funct…

  • 2 Series Jan 30, 2026 · 87,394 vehicles · NHTSA 26V056000

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (C…

  • i4 Dec 23, 2025 · 1 vehicles · NHTSA 25V906000

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling one 2025 I4 EDRIVE40 vehicle. The connection between the positive battery cable and the rear power distributor may become loose.

  • 2 Series Dec 17, 2025 · 851 vehicles · NHTSA 25V871000

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive), and 2014-2015…

  • X3 Dec 11, 2025 · 36,922 vehicles · NHTSA 25V857000

    BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2025-2026 X3 vehicles. While the vehicle is stationary, unexpected steering wheel movement (rotation) may occur.

  • X5 Dec 4, 2025 · 25 vehicles · NHTSA 25V837000

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2026 X6, X7, X5, and X5 Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The instrument panel may have been manufactured incorrectly and prevent the passenger-side air ba…

  • 2 Series Oct 21, 2025 · 1,024 vehicles · NHTSA 25V717000

    BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2026 2 Series Gran Coupe, X1, X2, and Mini Countryman S ALL4 vehicles. The housing pin in the rear (left and/or right) seat belt retractors may have been…

Common questions about BMW recalls

How many recalls does BMW have?
NHTSA has 261 BMW recall campaigns on record across 24 models for the 2010 to 2026 model years. The most common areas are the electrical system, air bags, and engine and engine cooling.
Which BMW has the most recalls?
The BMW X5 has the most recall campaigns of any BMW model in our records. A model with more recalls is often just the brand's best-seller, on the road in larger numbers and for more years.
Is BMW reliable when it comes to recalls?
BMW scores 40 out of 100 for recall severity, ranking 40 of 52 makes we track. The score looks at how serious the recalls are, such as do-not-drive warnings and critical safety systems, rather than the raw count.
How do I check a BMW for recalls?
Open the model you want from the list below to see its full recall history, or enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page to see the open recalls for one specific BMW. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

Recalls for other makes

Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For sourcing and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.