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Your vehicleHome›BMW›4 Series› 2019
BMW · Compact Sedan

2019 BMW 4 Series

Gas
Compact Cars
15 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
C
Safety Signal
79 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 3
Complaints3 crash · 1 injured reported 27
Crash ratingnot rated by NHTSA —
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 27 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2019 BMW 4 Series is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact sedan with 15 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 430i Convertible, is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 27 complaints, most often about the engine.

BMW 4 Series — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
BMW 4 Series · Photo: FotoSleuth · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
430i ConvertibleGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo243427$3,050
430i CoupeGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo243427$3,050
430i Gran CoupeGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo243427$3,050
430i xDrive CoupeGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233327$3,050
430i xDrive Gran CoupeGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233327$3,050
430i xDrive ConvertibleGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223226$3,150
430i CoupeGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo213325$3,300
440i CoupeGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo213225$3,300
440i Gran CoupeGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo213225$3,300
440i ConvertibleGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo212924$3,400
440i xDrive CoupeGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo213124$3,400
440i xDrive Gran CoupeGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo213124$3,400
440i xDrive ConvertibleGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo202923$3,550
440i CoupeGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182822$3,750
440i xDrive CoupeGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182821$3,900

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39969, 39985, 39988, 39987, 39989, 39970, 39986, 39990, 39994, 39971.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
430i Convertible, 430i Coupe, 430i Gran Coupe, 430i xDrive Convertible, 430i xDrive Coupe, 430i xDrive Gran Coupe7 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
440i Convertible, 440i Coupe, 440i Gran Coupe, 440i xDrive Convertible, 440i xDrive Coupe, 440i xDrive Gran Coupe3 / 10California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSedan/Saloon
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2 L

Engine Output

Horsepower248 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity4 seats

Transmission

DrivetrainAWD/All-Wheel Drive
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds8

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Backup camera, Electronic stability control

Optional: Adaptive cruise control, Automatic emergency braking, Blind-spot monitoring, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Parking assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: 4-Series, Gran Coupe, xDrive, xDrive GC). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length182.7 in
Width (body, without mirrors)72.0 in
Height54.3–54.7 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Track, front61.0 in
Track, rear62.6 in
Curb weight3,706–4,330 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear48/52 to 52/48

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 7 configurations: 430I xDrive 2-door Cabriolet, 430I xDrive 2-door Coupe, 440I 2-door Coupe RWD, 440I xDrive 2-door Cabriolet, 440I xDrive 2-door Coupe, Gran Coupe 430I xDrive 4-door Sedan …. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2019 4 Series
Other years The 2027 4 Series Recalls BMW recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2019 BMW 4 Series is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Air Bags

5,079 vehicles 99% reported repaired built Mar 7, 2019 – May 2, 2019
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive, M2 Competition Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, and 2019 330i xDrive Sportswagon vehicles. The driver and passenger knee air bag assemblies may have been improperly folded and assembled. Risk An improperly folded and assembled air bag may not deploy as intended, increasing risk of injury. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the knee air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V352000 reported May 9, 2019 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

3 vehicles 100% reported repaired built Jul 9, 2018 – Jul 9, 2018
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling one each of 2019 BMW 430i xDrive Gran Coupe, 440i xDrive Gran Coupe and 430i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been incorrectly manufactured, potentially affecting the air bag deployment performance in the event of a crash. Risk If the front passenger air bag does not deploy properly in the event of a crash, the occupant has an increased risk of injury. Fix All affected vehicles are still in dealer inventory. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module, free of charge.
NHTSA campaign 18V533000 reported Aug 15, 2018 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

5,309 vehicles 98% reported repaired built May 16, 2018 – Jun 6, 2018
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BMW expanded the recall to a total of 5,309 vehicles including certain 2018-2019 BMW 540d xDrive, 230i M240i, M240i xDrive, X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 330i, 330i xDrive, 340i, 340i xDrive, 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 530e, 530e xDrive, 640i xDrive Gran Turismo, 330e, 2019 430i Gran Coupe, 430i xDrive Gran Coupe, 440i Gran Coupe, 440 Risk A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V465000 reported Jul 11, 2018 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

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. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf. Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a subst

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific 4 Series

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2019 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. BMW publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →BMW’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2019 BMW 4 Series, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2019 BMW 4 Series

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this 4 Series →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
27complaints filed

3 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

10 per 10,000 built · BMW reported 26,183 4 Series built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2019: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2026: 6

Most-cited components

Engine 15
Air Bags 6
Unspecified 5
Electrical System 4
Fuel/Propulsion System 3
Visibility/Wiper 2

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

The vehicle had previously undergone front-end collision repairs. Seventeen days after retrieving the vehicle, it suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of engine coolant while driving. The dashboard flashed an 'Engine Temperature High' warning followed immediately by an 'Engine Overheated' warning.
Engine Oct 9, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11770256
2019 BMW 430i xDrive Convertible (F33). The rear side window regulator and motor failed after water got in through the rear window into the window panel and motor. On October 14, 2026 the window first would roll down only slightly and then stop; later the same day it stopped moving entirely and is now stuck fully up — no movement at all…
Electrical System Oct 20, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11772554
The contact owns a 2019 BMW 430I. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH and switching lanes, there was a loud explosion. The contact was unable to determine the cause of the sound. The contact pulled over to the side of the road to inspect the tires and discovered that the sunroof had shattered upward.
Visibility/Wiper at 131,992 miles Jul 28, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11753237
I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the seatbelt, airbag, and occupant detection system in my 2019 BMW 430i. At the time of purchase, the vehicle’s software had not been updated since 2018.
Seat Belts Dec 3, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11702674
The airbags did not deploy upon impact from head on collision into another vehicle. The vehicle was towed and the other vehicle’s airbags did deploy that was involved in the collision. There was a police report filed & the insurance company has picked up the vehicle for them to complete an inspection & evaluation
Air Bags Oct 16, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11693906
BMW issued an extended warranty of 15 years/150k for a pressure control valve (PCV) failure for certain years/models that included my vehicle. While driving, the PCV failed causing a loud high pitch noise and white smoke billowing from my exhaust.
Fuel/Propulsion System Nov 1, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11623089

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by BMW itself: 11 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 12 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 42 per 100,000 built. Every 4 Series model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 5 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every BMW warranty extension (46) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 118
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-03
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 111 service bulletins, 7 warranty extensions

Most often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Engine, Equipment Adaptive/Mobility, Structure.

  • B010826 Warranty extension
    2026-09-03 · Structure — Body
  • The coverage period for qualifying lower rear side panel water drain repair that addresses the issues described in the Service Information Bulletin has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles, as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
  • B010224 Warranty extension
    2026-06-26 · Engine
  • The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
  • B010224 Warranty extension
    2026-05-05 · Engine
  • The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.
  • B011824 Warranty extension
    2024-12-31 · Electrical System
  • The Telematics Control Units (TCU) Internal Emergency (Backup) Battery for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 6 years without mileage limitation, as determined from the vehicles original first in-service / delivery date.
  • B010224 Warranty extension
    2024-05-02 · Engine
  • EVAP SYSTEM PURGE (VENT) VALVE EXT LTD WTY (ELW) 15/150
  • B510819 Service bulletin
    2024-01-16 · Visibility — Power Window Devices And Controls
  • The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
  • B611305 Service bulletin
    2024-01-11 · Electrical System
  • The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.
  • B011423 Service bulletin
    2023-11-13 · Engine And Engine Cooling
  • PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE (PCV) EXTENDED LTD WTY 15 YEARS/150,000 MILES

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2019 BMW 4 Series failed the emissions check on 2.6% of first inspections — close to the 2.7% for every 2019 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.4% (every 2019 vehicle: 1.7%).

New York inspections 2.6%

failed emissions

1,279 initial inspections of 1,250 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2019 4 SeriesEvery 2019 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check2.6%2.7%1,276
Failed the safety inspection1.4%1.7%1,279
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.23%0.20%1,279
Miles driven a year8,2499,904odometer at inspection
Average odometer60,03072,084odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2019 vehicle” is every 2019 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

4 Series by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2027 A 0 0 31 mpg2026 B 1 2 31 mpg2025 B 1 8 31 mpg2024 C 2 3 28 mpg2023 C 3 6 28 mpg2022 D 5 8 Park outside2021 F 6 15 Park outside2020 A 1 5 27 mpg2019 this page C 3 27 27 mpg2018 A 1 43 27 mpg2017 B 2 30 27 mpg2016 B 1 56 27 mpg

Common questions about the 2019 4 Series

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2019 BMW 4 Series have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 3 recall campaigns for the 2019 BMW 4 Series. The most serious on file is 19V352000, covering Air Bags. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2019 BMW 4 Series?

NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2019 BMW 4 Series yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it C (79/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2019 BMW 4 Series?

Across the 15 EPA-rated configurations of the 2019 BMW 4 Series, the best EPA combined figure is 27 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2019 BMW 4 Series?

Transport Canada measured it at 182.7 in long, 72.0 in wide (body, without mirrors), 54.3–54.7 in tall, on a 110.6 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,706–4,330 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2019 BMW 4 Series?

Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 BMW 4 Series, most often about engine, air bags, unspecified. Of those, 3 involved a crash, 1 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2019 BMW 4 Series?

The EPA smog rating for the 2019 BMW 4 Series runs 3 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, California LEV-III ULEV125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2019 BMW 4 Series?

The manufacturer has filed 118 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2019 BMW 4 Series, most often covering equipment, electrical system, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-09-03. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2019 BMW 4 Series do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2019 BMW 4 Series failed the emissions check on 2.6% of first inspections — close to the 2.7% for every 2019 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.4% (every 2019 vehicle: 1.7%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations15 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates15 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls3NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints27NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratingsnoneNHTSA NCAPNHTSA has not tested this model year. Cars are selected for testing, so untested is not unsafe.
Service bulletins118NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations1NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA12 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2027 4 Series The 4 Series model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every BMW recall on file All campaigns filed against BMW vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this 4 Series by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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