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2021 BMW 8 Series

Gas
Subcompact Cars
7 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
59 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls2 critical4
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA0
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA25 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019

The 2021 BMW 8 Series is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 840i Convertible, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
840i ConvertibleGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo222925$3,100
840i CoupeGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo233025$3,100
840i Gran CoupeGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo222925$3,100
840i xDrive ConvertibleGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo202723$3,350
840i xDrive CoupeGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo202723$3,350
840i xDrive Gran CoupeGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo202723$3,350
M850i xDrive CoupeGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo172520$3,900

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42996, 42920, 43002, 42922, 42921, 42938, 43641.

Factory warranty running out?

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Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Electrical System

145,102 vehicles
ProblemBMW 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.RiskAn overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.FixDealers 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. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 17, 2025.
NHTSA campaign 25V644000reported Sep 25, 2025BMW of North America, LLC
○minor

Back Over Prevention

13,858 vehicles
ProblemBMW 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 Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 43RiskIf the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.FixBMW 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V096000reported Feb 19, 2021BMW of North America, LLC
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

893 vehicles
ProblemBMW 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 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance.RiskA loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.FixBMW 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V062000reported Feb 10, 2021BMW of North America, LLC
!critical

Electrical System

812 vehicles
ProblemBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.RiskIncreased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.FixBMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 20V761000reported Dec 9, 2020BMW of North America, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

No owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

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

Other 8 Series model years

A

2026 BMW 8 Series

1 recalls · 0 complaints

C

2025 BMW 8 Series

2 recalls · 0 complaints

C

2024 BMW 8 Series

2 recalls · 2 complaints

D

2023 BMW 8 Series

4 recalls · 0 complaints

C

2022 BMW 8 Series

2 recalls · 7 complaints

F

2020 BMW 8 Series

5 recalls · 4 complaints

C

2019 BMW 8 Series

3 recalls · 1 complaints

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). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

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

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