2020 BMW 840i Problems & Complaints

Few complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2020 BMW 840i with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is a low number of complaints for a car on sale this long. The most reported problem area is the steering (1 complaint, typically around 0 miles). 7 recalls cover this model year.

4complaints
7recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2020 BMW 840i problems

  • Steering~0 miles
    125%
  • Other / not specified~2,000 miles
    125%
  • Electrical system
    125%
  • Engine & cooling
    125%
  • Brakes~36,000 miles
    125%

Share of the 4 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

BMW 840i complaints by model year

2019202020212022202320242025472
Owner complaints per model year, BMW 840i. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best 840i years: 2021, 2023. Compare all years →

2020 BMW 840i recalls (7)

Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft

NHTSA recall 26V-525 · Aug 12, 2026 · 36,823 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2026 840i, 840i xDrive, 2021-2023 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, and 2024-2026 750e xDrive vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the rear differential may become damaged, possibly resulting in a loss of power to the rear wheels or a vehicle rollaway.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the connection between the driveshaft and rear axle differential, and apply adhesive or replace the driveshaft and rear axle differential, as necessary, free of charge.

Electrical system › Starter assembly

NHTSA recall 25V-644 · Sep 25, 2025 · 145,102 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24V576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM) › Software

NHTSA recall 24V-576 · Aug 1, 2024 · 105,588 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models.

Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Back over prevention › Software

NHTSA recall 21V-096 · Feb 19, 2021 · 13,858 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Hydraulic

NHTSA recall 21V-062 · Feb 10, 2021 · 893 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Seat belts › Pretensioner

NHTSA recall 20V-164 · Mar 19, 2020 · 3,316 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, X4M, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, M850i xDrive Gran Coupe, M8 Gran Coupe, X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, and 840i xDrive Convertible vehicles.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt buckles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Show 1 more recall

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 19V-684 · Sep 27, 2019 · 257,473 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735.

2020 BMW 840i engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.0L 6-cyl turbo8-speed automaticRWD23 / 30 / 25
3.0L 6-cyl turbo8-speed automaticAWD21 / 27 / 23

EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 BMW 840i a good car?

That is a low number of complaints for a car on sale this long. So far owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 BMW 840i?

The steering — 1 complaint, 25% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (1) and engine & cooling (1).

How many recalls does the 2020 BMW 840i have?

There are 7 recalls for the 2020 BMW 840i, the most recent from August 12, 2026 (driveshaft). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the BMW 840i?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021 and 2023. See the full BMW 840i years comparison.

At what mileage do 2020 BMW 840i problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 2,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.