Reliability Guide
Common BMW Problems
Select a model below to discover known faults, common MOT failures, estimated repair costs, and buying tips.
Select a BMW Model
5 Series (G60)
2023 – 2025
1 documented issues
7 Series (G70)
2022 – 2025
1 documented issues
X1 (U11)
2022 – 2024
3 documented issues 1 severe
i4 (G26)
2021 – 2025
1 documented issues
iX (I20)
2021 – 2025
1 documented issues 1 severe
4 Series (G22/G23/G26)
2020 – 2024
3 documented issues
1 Series (F40)
2019 – 2024
4 documented issues 1 severe
3 Series (G20)
2019 – 2024
5 documented issues 2 severe
X3 M
2019 – 2024
3 documented issues 1 severe
8 Series (G14/G15/G16)
2018 – 2024
3 documented issues 1 severe
X4 (G02)
2018 – 2024
3 documented issues
X5 (G05)
2018 – 2024
4 documented issues 3 severe
X7 (G07)
2018 – 2024
3 documented issues 2 severe
Z4 (G29)
2018 – 2024
3 documented issues
X2 (F39)
2018 – 2023
3 documented issues
5 Series (G30)
2017 – 2024
3 documented issues
X3 (G01)
2017 – 2024
4 documented issues 1 severe
M2
2016 – 2024
4 documented issues 1 severe
X5 M
2015 – 2024
3 documented issues 1 severe
7 Series (G11/G12)
2015 – 2022
4 documented issues 1 severe
X1 (F48)
2015 – 2022
3 documented issues 1 severe
M4
2014 – 2024
4 documented issues 1 severe
2 Series Active/Gran Tourer (F45/F46)
2014 – 2021
4 documented issues 1 severe
2 Series Coupe/Convertible (F22/F23)
2014 – 2021
4 documented issues
i8 (I12)
2014 – 2020
3 documented issues
X6 (F16)
2014 – 2019
3 documented issues 1 severe
X4 (F26)
2014 – 2018
3 documented issues 2 severe
i3 (I01)
2013 – 2022
4 documented issues 2 severe
4 Series (F32/F33/F36)
2013 – 2020
4 documented issues 2 severe
X5 (F15)
2013 – 2018
4 documented issues 2 severe
3 Series (F30/F31/F34)
2012 – 2019
4 documented issues 2 severe
1 Series (F20/F21)
2011 – 2019
4 documented issues 1 severe
6 Series (F12/F13/F06)
2011 – 2018
4 documented issues 3 severe
5 Series (F10)
2010 – 2017
4 documented issues 3 severe
X3 (F25)
2010 – 2017
4 documented issues 2 severe
Z4 (E89)
2009 – 2016
3 documented issues 3 severe
X1 (E84)
2009 – 2015
4 documented issues 2 severe
7 Series (F01/F02)
2008 – 2015
4 documented issues 3 severe
X6 (E71)
2008 – 2014
4 documented issues 4 severe
X5 (E70)
2006 – 2013
4 documented issues 3 severe
3 Series (E90/E91/E92/E93)
2005 – 2013
4 documented issues 3 severe
1 Series (E81/E82/E87/E88)
2004 – 2011
4 documented issues 2 severe
5 Series (E60/E61)
2003 – 2010
5 documented issues 4 severe
6 Series (E63/E64)
2003 – 2010
4 documented issues 2 severe
X3 (E83)
2003 – 2010
4 documented issues 2 severe
Z4 (E85/E86)
2002 – 2008
4 documented issues 1 severe
7 Series (E65/E66)
2001 – 2008
4 documented issues 2 severe
X5 (E53)
1999 – 2006
4 documented issues 2 severe
M5
1998 – 2024
4 documented issues 3 severe
3 Series (E46)
1998 – 2006
4 documented issues 2 severe
M3
1995 – 2024
6 documented issues 5 severe
5 Series (E39)
1995 – 2003
5 documented issues 3 severe
Z3 (E36/7)
1995 – 2002
4 documented issues 2 severe
7 Series (E38)
1994 – 2001
4 documented issues 3 severe
3 Series (E36)
1990 – 2000
5 documented issues 3 severe
Brand-wide BMW Problem Patterns
N47/N57 diesel timing chain failure (crankshaft sprocket sharpness, Recall 14V054) is a major risk on 2007-2014 models
B47/B57 EGR cooler recall (Recall 18V755) is critical for later diesel BMWs to prevent fire risk
Cooling systems on E39/E46-era BMWs are service items, not lifetime components
xDrive transfer cases dislike mixed tyres and delayed fluid changes
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