Current BMW models
X52000–2026 · 3,367 complaintsAvoid: 2024, 2025, 2012X32004–2026 · 2,288 complaintsAvoid: 2021, 2019, 2025X12013–2026 · 851 complaintsAvoid: 2023, 2024, 2016X72019–2026 · 312 complaintsAvoid: 2024, 2025, 2023330i1999–2025 · 816 complaintsAvoid: 2017, 2020, 2021430i2017–2025 · 124 complaintsAvoid: 2021iX2022–2025 · 115 complaintsNo years flagged530i1995–2025 · 557 complaintsAvoid: 2024, 2021, 2004540i1995–2025 · 242 complaintsAvoid: 2018, 2017, 1998X62008–2026 · 208 complaintsAvoid: 2011, 2012, 2013740i1995–2025 · 97 complaintsAvoid: 2016i52024–2025 · 29 complaintsNo years flaggedX22018–2026 · 24 complaintsNo years flaggedi72023–2025 · 24 complaintsNo years flaggedM52000–2025 · 94 complaintsAvoid: 2006760i2005–2025 · 26 complaintsNo years flagged840i2019–2025 · 13 complaintsNo years flagged750e2024–2025 · 2 complaintsNo years flagged550e2025 · 0 complaintsNo years flaggedi5 M602024–2025 · 0 complaintsNo years flaggedi5 Edrive402024–2025 · 0 complaintsNo years flaggedi5 Xdrive402025 · 0 complaintsNo years flagged
Older and discontinued models
i32014–2019 · 214 complaintsNo years flaggedi42022–2024 · 82 complaintsNo years flaggedM340I2019–2022 · 71 complaintsNo years flaggedX42015–2023 · 86 complaintsAvoid: 2020, 2015528i1997–2016 · 830 complaintsAvoid: 2011, 2012, 2008328i1996–2016 · 2,580 complaintsAvoid: 2011, 2007, 2013320i2012–2018 · 154 complaintsAvoid: 2014, 2015, 2016530e2018–2021 · 45 complaintsNo years flagged428i2014–2016 · 158 complaintsAvoid: 2015328d2013–2018 · 212 complaintsAvoid: 2014, 2015228i2014–2022 · 56 complaintsAvoid: 2016M42014–2021 · 44 complaintsAvoid: 2016330e2017–2023 · 29 complaintsNo years flaggedM550I2018–2021 · 26 complaintsNo years flaggedM22016–2021 · 25 complaintsNo years flagged230i2017–2023 · 24 complaintsNo years flaggedM31995–2021 · 437 complaintsAvoid: 2008, 2009, 2011440i2017–2019 · 16 complaintsNo years flaggedZ42003–2023 · 1,273 complaintsAvoid: 2011, 2003, 2004535i2008–2016 · 473 complaintsAvoid: 2011, 2008, 2009340i2016–2017 · 11 complaintsNo years flagged435i2014–2016 · 49 complaintsAvoid: 2014535d2014–2016 · 73 complaintsAvoid: 2014XM2023–2024 · 9 complaintsNo years flagged750i2006–2016 · 155 complaintsAvoid: 2006, 2007M235I2014–2021 · 18 complaintsNo years flaggedM440I2021–2022 · 6 complaintsNo years flagged640i2012–2018 · 24 complaintsNo years flaggedM240I2018–2023 · 4 complaintsNo years flaggedM82020–2021 · 4 complaintsNo years flagged750li2006–2021 · 464 complaintsAvoid: 2006, 2007, 2008M850I2019–2021 · 2 complaintsNo years flagged550i2006–2016 · 250 complaintsAvoid: 2011, 2012, 2007M62007–2017 · 15 complaintsNo years flagged325i1995–2011 · 1,280 complaintsAvoid: 2006, 2003, 20013 Series1997–2013 · 833 complaintsAvoid: 2006, 2007, 2008335i2006–2015 · 808 complaintsAvoid: 2007, 2008, 2011323i1998–2011 · 563 complaintsAvoid: 2000, 1999328xi2006–2015 · 456 complaintsAvoid: 2007, 2011, 20085 Series2002–2012 · 415 complaintsAvoid: 2008, 2011, 2006525i1995–2007 · 375 complaintsAvoid: 2004, 2007, 2006325xi2001–2012 · 306 complaintsAvoid: 2006, 2004, 2002330ci2000–2006 · 291 complaintsAvoid: 2004, 2001, 2006325ci2000–2006 · 247 complaintsAvoid: 2001, 2004Z31996–2002 · 208 complaintsAvoid: 1997330xi2000–2011 · 193 complaintsAvoid: 2006128i2008–2013 · 183 complaintsAvoid: 2013, 2011, 2012530xi2006–2007 · 158 complaintsNo years flagged528xi2008–2013 · 156 complaintsAvoid: 2012, 2013135i2008–2013 · 153 complaintsAvoid: 2008335xi2006–2014 · 150 complaintsAvoid: 2008, 2011, 2009745li2002–2005 · 144 complaintsAvoid: 2003535xi2008–2012 · 139 complaintsAvoid: 2008, 2011745i2002–2005 · 126 complaintsAvoid: 2002, 2003545i2004–2005 · 122 complaintsNo years flagged740il1995–2001 · 120 complaintsAvoid: 2000, 20017 Series2003–2010 · 100 complaintsAvoid: 2004, 20063251995–2006 · 97 complaintsAvoid: 1995, 2001, 2002650i2006–2014 · 95 complaintsAvoid: 2012, 2007, 20131 Series2006–2011 · 88 complaintsAvoid: 2011, 2009, 20083282007–2013 · 82 complaintsAvoid: 20113352007–2011 · 61 complaintsAvoid: 2011M Roadster1998–2002 · 61 complaintsNo years flagged525xi2006–2007 · 48 complaintsNo years flagged645ci2004–2005 · 44 complaintsNo years flaggedZ3 Roadster1998–2001 · 44 complaintsNo years flagged335d2009–2011 · 43 complaintsAvoid: 2011328ic1997–2000 · 39 complaintsNo years flagged3181995–2001 · 35 complaintsAvoid: 1995323ci2000–2001 · 31 complaintsNo years flagged318i1995–1998 · 27 complaintsNo years flagged6 Series2004–2010 · 23 complaintsNo years flagged740li2011–2021 · 23 complaintsNo years flagged318ti1996–1998 · 19 complaintsNo years flagged760li2003–2008 · 19 complaintsNo years flagged5401995–2001 · 18 complaintsNo years flagged750il1995–2001 · 16 complaintsNo years flagged550i Gran Turismo2010–2011 · 16 complaintsNo years flagged5251995 · 15 complaintsNo years flagged328ci2000–2001 · 15 complaintsNo years flagged335is2007–2011 · 11 complaintsNo years flaggedActive Hybrid 32013–2014 · 9 complaintsNo years flagged5302001 · 7 complaintsNo years flaggedi82015–2019 · 5 complaintsNo years flagged318ic1995 · 4 complaintsNo years flagged3232000–2002 · 3 complaintsNo years flagged535i Gran Turismo2011 · 2 complaintsNo years flagged3302000–2002 · 1 complaintNo years flagged525it2001 · 0 complaintsNo years flaggedX6 M2018–2020 · 0 complaintsNo years flagged323it2000–2001 · 0 complaintsNo years flaggedM760I2020–2021 · 0 complaintsNo years flaggedi7 M702023–2024 · 0 complaintsNo years flaggedi7 Xdrive602023–2024 · 0 complaintsNo years flaggedi7 Edrive502024 · 0 complaintsNo years flagged
BMW model years to avoid
- 2000 BMW 323i81.7× complaints · transmission
- 2006 BMW 330i68.5× complaints · airbag
- 2006 BMW 325xi37.5× complaints · airbag
- 2006 BMW 330xi32.5× complaints · airbag
- 2004 BMW 330i30.5× complaints · headlight
- 2001 BMW 330i30.0× complaints · airbag
- 1999 BMW 323i27.3× complaints · airbag
- 2006 BMW 325i22.4× complaints · airbag
- 2017 BMW 330i21.5× complaints · engine
- 2003 BMW Z416.3× complaints · steering
- 2004 BMW Z416.2× complaints · steering
- 2024 BMW X510.6× complaints · brake
Latest BMW recalls
- 2021–2023 BMW 540i, 2024–2025 BMW 750e and 2 more: power train – driveshaft
- 2024–2026 BMW X3: steering – arm
- 2024–2025 BMW 530i, 2024–2025 BMW 540i and 13 more: electronic stability control (ESC)
- 2025 BMW 550e, 2024–2025 BMW 750e and 6 more: electrical system – wiring
- 2022–2023 BMW 230i, 2021–2024 BMW 330i and 6 more: electrical system – starter assembly
- 2014–2015 BMW 228i, 2014 BMW 320i and 5 more: air bags – head
- 2025–2026 BMW X3: steering – power assist system
- 2026 BMW X5, 2026 BMW X6 and 1 more: air bags – critical fasteners
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW model years should you avoid?
By owner complaints compared at the same age, the worst BMW model years include the 2000 323i, the 2006 330i, the 2006 325xi, the 2006 330xi and the 2004 330i.
How many BMW recalls are there?
NHTSA lists 340 recalls for BMW vehicles from 1995 onward, the latest on August 12, 2026. See the latest BMW recalls.
What BMW model gets the most complaints?
In the last ten model years, the X5 has drawn the most complaints (978) — partly because it is one of the brand's best sellers. Compare years on the BMW X5 page.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.