⌘K
Your vehicleHome›BMW›M› 2020
BMW · Compact Sedan

2020 BMW M

Gas
Subcompact Cars
37 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
46 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical 16
Complaints1 crash · 1 injured reported 67
Crash ratingnot rated by NHTSA —
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 25 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2020 BMW M is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact sedan with 37 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the M240i Convertible, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 67 complaints, most often about the engine.

BMW M1 — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
BMW M1 · Photo: Calreyn88 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
M240i ConvertibleGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo223025$3,300
M240i CoupeGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo223025$3,300
M240i Coupe M PerformanceGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo223025$3,300
M240i xDrive ConvertibleGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo223025$3,300
M240i xDrive CoupeGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo223025$3,300
M240i xDrive Coupe M PerformanceGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo223025$3,300
M340iGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo223025$3,300
M340i xDriveGasAWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo223025$3,300
M240i ConvertibleGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192722$3,750
M240i CoupeGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192722$3,750
M240i Coupe M PerformanceGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo192722$3,750
M2 CS CoupeGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo172420$4,100
M2 Competition CoupeGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182520$4,100
M4 ConvertibleGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo172520$4,100
M4 Convertible CompetitionGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo172520$4,100
M4 CoupeGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182520$4,100
M4 Coupe CompetitionGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo182520$4,100
M550i xDriveGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo182520$4,100
M850i xDrive ConvertibleGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo172520$4,100
M850i xDrive CoupeGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo182520$4,100
M850i xDrive Gran CoupeGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo172520$4,100
M2 CS CoupeGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo162319$4,350
M2 Competition CoupeGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo172319$4,350
M4 CSGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo172319$4,350
M4 ConvertibleGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo162219$4,350
M4 Convertible CompetitionGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo162219$4,350
M4 CoupeGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo172319$4,350
M4 Coupe CompetitionGasRWD3.0L 6-cyl turbo172319$4,350
M5GasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo152117$4,850
M5 CompetitionGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo152117$4,850
M8 Competition ConvertibleGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo152117$4,850
M8 Competition CoupeGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo152117$4,850
M8 Competition Gran CoupeGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo152117$4,850
M8 ConvertibleGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo152117$4,850
M8 CoupeGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo152117$4,850
M8 Gran CoupeGasAWD4.4L 8-cyl turbo152117$4,850
M760i xDriveGasAWD6.6L 12-cyl turbo132016$5,150

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 41320, 41317, 41314, 41322, 41319, 41316, 41341, 41340, 41321, 41318.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
M2 CS Coupe, M2 Competition Coupe, M240i Convertible, M240i Coupe, M240i Coupe M Performance, M240i xDrive Convertible, M240i xDrive Coupe, M240i xDrive Coupe M Performance, M4 CS, M4 Convertible, M4 Convertible Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Coupe Competition, M5, M5 Competition, M550i xDrive, M760i xDrive, M8 Competition Convertible, M8 Competition Coupe, M8 Competition Gran Coupe, M8 Convertible, M8 Coupe, M8 Gran Coupe, M850i xDrive Convertible, M850i xDrive Coupe, M850i xDrive Gran Coupe3 / 10California LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
M340i, M340i xDrive5 / 10California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70All 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. Gas-guzzler tax applies to M5, M5 Competition, M760i xDrive, M8 Competition Convertible, M8 Competition Coupe, M8 Competition Gran Coupe, M8 Convertible, M8 Coupe, M8 Gran Coupe — a federal excise the manufacturer pays and prices in.

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

Cylinders6
Displacement3 L

Engine Output

Horsepower382 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

DrivetrainRWD/Rear-Wheel Drive
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds8

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking, Rear cross-traffic alert

Optional: Lane keeping assist, Parking assist

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: 3-Series, 4-Series, Competition, NA). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Advertisement

Factory warranty running out?

The 2020 BMW M 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 (16)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Electrical System

105,588 vehicles 87% reported repaired
Problem 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. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload. Risk A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire. Fix 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.
NHTSA campaign 24V576000 reported Aug 1, 2024 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Seat Belts

144 vehicles 91% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2022 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 2022 430i Coupe, 2021-2022 430i, M440i Convertible, and 2020-2022 228i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles. The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the driver to fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." Risk An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash. Fix Dealers will update the receiver audio module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 23V584000 reported Aug 16, 2023 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seats

51 vehicles 90% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, 2020-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, 2021 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, and X4M vehicles. The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails. Risk An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Fix Dealers will replace the seat frame and back rest, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 23V211000 reported Mar 29, 2023 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine

50,024 vehicles 96% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available. Risk Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 21V598000 reported Aug 2, 2021 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Back Over Prevention

13,858 vehicles 98% reported repaired
Problem 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 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 43 Risk If 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. Fix 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V096000 reported Feb 19, 2021 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

893 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem 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 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. Risk A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash. Fix 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V062000 reported Feb 10, 2021 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

21 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 M2 Coupe and 2020 M4 Coupe vehicles. Fuel injectors may have been installed without a damping component which is used to reduce vibration. If a damping component is not present, vibration will increase at the connection between the fuel line and the fuel rail, which over time, can result in damage at the connection. Risk A damaged connection between the fuel line and the fuel rail could lead to a fuel leak and, in the presence of an ignition source, increase the risk of a fire. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel injectors and if a damping component is missing, the injectors and the fuel rail will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 20V666000 reported Oct 29, 2020 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Back Over Prevention

312 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility." Risk If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V598000 reported Sep 30, 2020 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Child Seat

16 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 740Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive, M760Li xDrive, and Alpina B7 vehicles. The top child seat tether anchor on the rear middle seat may not be readily accessible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, Section 6.1(b) "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems." Risk A child restraint system placed on the vehicle's rear middle seat without utilizing the three-point safety belt, could increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a top tether anchor cover at the rear middle seating position. Until vehicles are remedied, owners will be instructed to utilize the outboard rear seating positions which are equipped with an accessible top tether anchor, or, the middle rear seating position and the vehicle's three-point safety belt. The recall began August 20, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 20V379000 reported Jun 30, 2020 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Steering

Toyota: 20TA09
2,779 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 Z4 sDrive30i, 2019-2020 330i xDrive, M340i and M340i xDrive, 2020 X3M and X4M, and Toyota Supra vehicles. In certain driving conditions, such as high temperatures and rough road surfaces, a steering gear tie rod may become damaged, possibly resulting in a fractured tie rod. Risk A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix BMW and Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear tie rods, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
NHTSA campaign 20V355000 reported Jun 15, 2020 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

3,316 vehicles 100% reported repaired
Problem 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. The sensors in the front seat belt buckles may inaccurately detect a belted occupant as unbelted, possibly causing the air bag and seat belt pretensioners to deploy improperly in the event of a crash. Risk If the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioners deploy improperly in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the driver and front passenger. Fix 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.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 20V164000 reported Mar 19, 2020 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Power Train

3,012 vehicles 97% reported repaired built Jan 30, 2019 – Oct 30, 2019
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 M5 and 2020 M8 Gran Coupe, M8 Coupe, and M8 Convertible vehicles. The transmission wiring harness can become damaged, resulting in an electrical short circuit. Risk An electrical short circuit can cause the transmission to shift to neutral resulting in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace any damaged transmission harnesses. All harnesses will be rerouted and secured. These repairs will be performed, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 3, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V883000 reported Dec 11, 2019 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Structure

325 vehicles 99% reported repaired built Jul 31, 2019 – Sep 18, 2019
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 330i, 330i xDrive and M340i vehicles. The interior trunk release cable may have been improperly installed, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 401, "Internal Trunk Release." Risk If a person were inside the trunk compartment, they may not be able to get out, increasing their risk of injury. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the interior trunk release cable and properly install the cable, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 19V755000 reported Oct 23, 2019 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
○minor

Back Over Prevention

257,473 vehicles 97% reported repaired built May 14, 2018 – Aug 6, 2019
Problem 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 xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted Risk The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash. Fix 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. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V684000 reported Sep 27, 2019 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seats

2 vehicles 100% reported repaired built Jul 4, 2019 – Jul 31, 2019
Problem BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling one 2020 M340i and one M340i xDrive vehicle. Due to improper welding, the rear center headrest may fold in the event of a rear impact crash. Risk If the headrest folds down in a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury. Fix BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear center headrest, free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V600000 reported Aug 14, 2019 BMW of North America, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

5,079 vehicles 99% reported repaired built Feb 21, 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V352000 reported May 9, 2019 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.

Whether any of this applies to one specific M

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2020 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.

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 2020 BMW M, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

Advertisement

Parts & accessories for the 2020 BMW M

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 M →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
67complaints filed

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

37 per 10,000 built · BMW reported 18,088 M built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2020: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 10 · 2024: 9 · 2025: 16 · 2026: 25

Most-cited components

Engine 48
Unspecified 11
Electrical System 8
Fuel/Propulsion System 5
Power Train 5
Tires 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.

2020 BMW M5 a metal-shavings engine failure at highway speed is a safety event. I had total catastrophic engine failure at less than 50,000 miles. No warning lights, found metal shavings in the engine system and engine needs complete replacement.
Engine Aug 29, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11760549
Engine misfire and loss of power. Too to bmw for check up. It was coolant tank leak into injectors. BMW is not replacing the tank as part of recall. It is changing only injectors even though the recall specifically addresses the tank causing the issue.
Fuel/Propulsion System Dec 30, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11707818
On . My car went into unintended acceleration at full throttle of 8000 RPMs. The engine was stuck at maximum power and would not slow down. My car slide until it hit a curb and was forced to stop. However, the engine was still running at full maximum capacity at full unintended acceleration.
Electrical System Jan 12, 2026 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11710392
While driving, the vehicle immediately went into full unintended acceleration without any input from the accelerator pedal. I removed my foot completely from the pedal, but engine RPM increased to full 7000 rpm’s and the throttle was stuck there. The vehicle surged forward unexpectedly.
Service Brakes Dec 11, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11704468
Fuel pump failed within a minute of initial warning and performance indicating a problem. While driving ~60 mph on the highway, available power dropped to zero within a couple tenths of a mile, *barely* allowing me to move to the shoulder. Screen error/fault indicated vehicle was ok to keep driving but to schedule service soon.
Power Train Jul 14, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11673452
The contact owns a 2020 BMW M4. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was a failure with the wheelbase and the front end was raising off the ground while turning. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact performed a personal diagnosis with adaptive mobility deactivated.
Suspension at 2,200 miles Jun 9, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11468458

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: 8 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 9 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 44 per 100,000 built. Every M 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 8 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

2 more in this page’s JSON.

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 1,511
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-03
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 1488 service bulletins, 17 warranty extensions, 4 service campaigns

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

  • 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
    2026-05-05 · 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.
  • B410725 Service bulletin
    2026-01-08 · Structure — Body
  • While driving on a smooth and/or unevenroad, a “cracking” sound is heard from therear wheel arch area (highlighted in orange) on either the right or left side.
  • B011724 Warranty extension
    2025-09-19 · Engine
  • The Fuel Injector Condition-Specific Repair Coverage Program applies to qualifying repairs for the required replacement of one or more the fuel injectors which were determined to have failed due to a buildup of external corrosion in the engine’s center fuel injector bore area that resulted after this location was periodically contaminated by engine coolant residue over time. This special program’s
  • B410725 Service bulletin
    2025-08-20 · Structure — Body
  • While driving on a smooth and/or uneven road, a “cracking” sound is heard from the rear wheel arch area (highlighted in orange) on either the right or left side.
  • B063525 Other
    2025-06-17 · Engine
  • Engine Return
  • B010325 Warranty extension
    2025-04-15 · Structure — Body
  • The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly 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.
  • B011724 Warranty extension
    2025-01-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System
  • The Fuel Injector Condition-Specific Repair Coverage Program applies to qualifying repairs for the required replacement of one or more the fuel injectors which were determined to have failed due to a buildup of external corrosion in the engine’s center fuel injector bore area that resulted after this location was periodically contaminated by engine coolant residue over time. This special program’s

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 2020 BMW M failed the emissions check on 3.7% of first inspections — higher than the 2.2% for every 2020 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.25% (every 2020 vehicle: 1.6%).

New York inspections 3.7%

failed emissions

408 initial inspections of 403 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2020 MEvery 2020 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check3.7%2.2%408
Failed the safety inspection0.25%1.6%408
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.49%0.19%408
Miles driven a year5,3519,980odometer at inspection
Average odometer33,53462,630odometer 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 2020 vehicle” is every 2020 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).

Common questions about the 2020 M

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2020 BMW M have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 16 recall campaigns for the 2020 BMW M, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 24V576000, covering Electrical System. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2020 BMW M?

NHTSA has not published a crash-test rating for the 2020 BMW M yet. On the recall record WhichTrim grades it F (46/100), which measures open and severe recalls rather than crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2020 BMW M?

Across the 37 EPA-rated configurations of the 2020 BMW M, the best EPA combined figure is 25 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What do owners complain about on the 2020 BMW M?

Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 BMW M, most often about engine, unspecified, electrical system. Of those, 1 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 2020 BMW M?

The EPA smog rating for the 2020 BMW M runs 3 to 5 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 ULEV125, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2020 BMW M?

The manufacturer has filed 1511 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2020 BMW M, most often covering electrical system, equipment, 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 2020 BMW M do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2020 BMW M failed the emissions check on 3.7% of first inspections — higher than the 2.2% for every 2020 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.25% (every 2020 vehicle: 1.6%). 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 & configurations37 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates37 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls16NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints67NHTSA 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 bulletins1511NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
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.
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.

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.

JSON for this page · API