BMW M engine problems, 2016–2027
90 of the 222 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the BMW M 2016–2027 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2020 (51), 2016 (13), 2021 (10). Filed under the same heading across these years: 9 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
BMW M engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 5 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 13 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | 6 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | 13 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 10 | 38% | — | 136 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 51 | 74% | — | 187 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2019 | 6 | 75% | — | 74 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 9 | 19% | — | 86 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 1 | 4% | — | 47 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 | 13 | 35% | — | 112 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2019: 8 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 10 · 2024: 14 · 2025: 12 · 2026: 37
Across the model years, half of the 17 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 20,000 and 46,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
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.
PCV fails prematurely, the car makes a high pitch noise and check engine light comes on. Car stalls making it dangerous to drive since it's not responsive as originally designed
Diagnosed with cooling system issue, 2nd cooling system dry/low or leaking, transmission issue, code 537, power train issue, car is quick shifting and skipping from 5th to 7th gear with a buzzing sound, and without a drop in power. The car only has 48,000 miles.
The crank hub on this vehicle can spun and brake inside the engine without any warning, if that happens on a hwy for example the vehicle will completely loose power and I can be involved in a accident which maybe fatal
BMW Federal Emissions Recall Campaign - Delivery Stop: Replace Coolant Expansion Tank [B170324] The manufacturer's recall remedy replaces a defective, heat-compromised plastic coolant reservoir with an identical plastic component that is subject to the exact same thermal fatigue and catastrophic failure.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 21V598000 HighAug 2, 2021 · 50,024 vehicles
- 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.
9 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 9, 2026
- Intake Muffler Return
- Aug 12, 2026
- This Service Bulletin provides instructions to clean the intake valves using the BMW Carbon Blaster Tool P/N 81 29 2 208 034 and the S68T / XB1T Kit P/N 83 30 5 BAD 3D5. Refer to SI B04 12 11 for existing documentation about the carbon blaster tool and SI B04 02 26 for the S68T /XB1T tool kit.
- Jul 10, 2026
- Due to an implementation error in various OBD diagnostics in the vehicle's control units, in very rare cases itmay happen that stored fault memory codes (DTCs) and the MIL (warning light) are not automaticallydeleted even though the underlying malfunction has already been rectified. This does not comply with the statutory OBD specifications.
- May 6, 2026
- 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.
- Apr 21, 2026
- Expansion Tank Return
- Sep 19, 2025
- 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
- Jun 17, 2025
- Engine Return
- May 19, 2025
- The engines turbocharger wastegate valve controller limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.
The 8 newest are listed; each model year’s page lists every one filed on that year. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich BMW M years have the most engine complaints?
2020, 51; 2016, 13; 2021, 10. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (75%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the BMW M?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 21V598000 (2020). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the BMW M?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 33,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 20,000 and 46,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.