Most common 2015 BMW X4 problems
Share of the 18 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW X4 complaints by model year
Best X4 years: 2017. Years to avoid: 2020, 2015. Compare all years →
2015 BMW X4 recalls (5)
Electrical system › Wiring › Connectors/plugs/receptacles
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025.
Air bags › Frontal
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive35i, and 2015 X4 xDrive35i vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 BMW X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, X3 xDrive28d, X4 xDrive28i and X4 xDrive35i vehicles, and model year 2014-2015 X5 xDrive35i, X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, and 2014 X5 xDrive35d vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Child seat › Latch strap
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016.
Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 X3 and X4 Sports Activity Vehicles manufactured July 28, 2014 to July 29, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been produced with a driver's side exterior rearview mirror that was designed to meet non-US market requirements.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side exterior rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began on December 16, 2014.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2015 BMW X4:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2015 BMW X4 owners say
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a burning odor in the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was unknown.VIN tool confirms parts not available.
I have reached out to BMW Dealers twice and BMW America Co since October 2024, after receiving the recall notice of Engine Coolant Pump crankcase (No. 24V-608). However, they have been unable to confirm when the remedy will be available. I would like to file a complaint regarding BMW's delay in providing the remedy, which has now exceeded six months. This delay is taking too long, and BMW should prioritize customer safety by having the remedy available as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this matter to help.
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a burning odor in the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was unknown.VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Brakes
This is was on highway, no truffick. One accident happened before me, was no flash lights or stop lights, when I find out what this vehicle not moving, pressed fool brake. In 150 feet of fool brake car didn't stop. I hit the car in front of me, the ABS didn't work during the braking, the air bags didn't pump out. Thanks god, no body didn't get any serious injuries. That's was so scared.
Brakes were unresponsive when trying to slow from 35 MPH for stop sign. Could only depress brake pedal about a half-inch, car essentially coasted to a stop in the middle of an intersection causing a near miss. Car started to shudder violently before coming to a stop. This was the first of 2 serious brake failures for this car.
2015 BMW X4 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 19 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2015 BMW X4 a good car?
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 X4 rates use caution: 1.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the X4 at the same age. It is one of the X4 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2015 BMW X4?
The engine & cooling — 7 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (5) and brakes (4).
How many recalls does the 2015 BMW X4 have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2015 BMW X4, the most recent from August 13, 2024 (connectors/plugs/receptacles). 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 X4?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020 and 2015. See the full BMW X4 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2015 BMW X4 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 38,000 miles; 67% 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.