BMW M850I Problems by Year

We compared every BMW M850I model year from 2019–2021 using 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 5 recalls and federal defect investigations. No M850I year stands out with an unusual number of complaints.

3model years
2complaints
5recalls
—worst years
—best years

Complaints by model year

20192020202111
Owner complaints per model year, BMW M850I. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20210typical2—Few
20201—4TransmissionFew
20191—3EngineFew

* Complaints compared with the median M850I year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common BMW M850I problems

  • Engine & coolingworst: 2019
    150%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 2020
    150%

Latest BMW M850I recalls

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.

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.

Engine

NHTSA recall 19V-513 · Jul 3, 2019 · 115 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 750i xDrive, 2019 M850i xDrive Coupe, M850i xDrive Convertible, X5 xDrive50i, X7 xDrive50i, and M5 vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may not have been properly attached to the engine, which may cause the fuel pump flange to crack, resulting in a fuel leak.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

All 5 BMW M850I recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the BMW M850I should you avoid?

None of the BMW M850I years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.

What are the most common BMW M850I problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (1) and transmission & drivetrain (1). Engine complaints peak in the 2019 model year.

How many recalls has the BMW M850I had?

5 recalls across 2019–2021. The model year with the most is 2020. See all BMW M850I recalls by year.

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.