Engine & cooling

BMW 4 Series Engine problems by year

68 complaints filed with NHTSA about the BMW 4 Series's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

242016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Year	Engine complaints	Crashes	Injuries
2022	3	0	0
2021	3	0	0
2020	1	0	0
2019	9	1	0
2018	17	2	2
2017	11	0	0
2016	24	0	0

Latest 4 Series engine complaints

2022 BMW 4 Series Engine & cooling

At approximately 31,000 miles, the factory hydraulic engine mounts experienced an active fluid leak and mechanical failure during routine operation. This vehicle has been regularly maintained and operated strictly under normal passenger driving conditions. The premature loss of internal hydraulic fluid compromises the structural support and alignment of the engine assembly. In this chassis, collapsed or leaking engine mounts allow excessive engine displacement, rotation, and torsional movement under acceleration...

Read the full complaint

and braking. This condition creates direct safety hazards: (1) Significant driveline misalignment that increases stress on adjacent critical components, including the exhaust downpipe, turbocharger plumbing, charge-air ducts, and drivetrain couplings. (2) Risk of premature failure or fatigue cracking of the exhaust and intake plumbing, presenting potential exhaust gas intrusion or sudden loss of engine power under load. (3) Excessive powertrain vibration and shifting that impairs vehicle control, throttle response predictability, and transmission engagement during lane changes, merging, or emergency maneuvers. A failure of primary structural engine mounts at 31,000 miles indicates a manufacturing or material defect in the hydraulic bladder and seal design. Because this issue appears widespread across modern BMW 2.0L (B48) platforms, I request that the NHTSA investigate this premature structural failure for potential recall or safety defect determination.

2022 BMW 4 Series Engine & cooling

COMPONENT: Engine mounts (left and right hydraulic engine mounts). Both are still installed on the vehicle and are available for inspection on request. FAILURE DESCRIPTION: I began hearing a knocking noise from the engine bay whenever I accelerated. I first noticed it on approximately August 19, 2026. The noise occurred under acceleration only and was not present at idle. There were no warning lamps, dashboard messages, or check engine indicators at any point before or after the noise began, and none are present...

Read the full complaint

now. The knocking noise was the only symptom. CONFIRMED BY DEALER: Yes. I brought the vehicle to Long Beach BMW Service Center on August 29, 2026 at 31,990 miles. The technician inspected the vehicle and found that the left engine mount had collapsed and was leaking hydraulic fluid, and that the right engine mount was deteriorating toward the same condition. The finding is documented on repair order 952722, which I can provide. OTHER INSPECTIONS: The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. I have contacted BMW of North America Customer Relations regarding the failure. SAFETY CONCERN: A collapsed engine mount allows excessive engine and drivetrain movement under acceleration and load. This transmits shock into surrounding components and can lead to damage of adjacent lines, wiring, and exhaust components over time. The condition also produces unpredictable drivetrain movement during acceleration, which affects vehicle stability and driver control. ADDITIONAL CONTEXT: The vehicle was purchased new in October 2021 and has 31,000 miles. It has never been in an accident, has never been modified or tuned, and has been driven lightly and conservatively. A hydraulic engine mount failing at this mileage under these conditions is not consistent with normal wear. Both mounts failed or began failing simultaneously.

2022 BMW 4 Series Engine & cooling

BMW Manufacturer Recall for fire hazad in starter for ths model first issued Oct 2025! NHTSA Recall Number26V056 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available as of May 1, 2026 My complaint is about the delay in a remedy from BMW - it's been more than 4 months!! This is not"timely"

2021 BMW 4 Series Engine & cooling

The recall was issued more than 8 months ago but the remedy is still not yet available, which is very concerning as the problem may cause the event of fire even when the vehicle is parked. Issued SEP 23, 2025 Description of Problem It is possible for water to contact and enter the engine starter. This could lead to corrosion which could cause a short circuit. Safety Risk This could increase the risk of a thermal event or fire during driving or even when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is off.

2021 BMW 4 Series Engine & cooling

The engine Unknown The problem was confirmed by BMW as they sent me a notice. Unknown Unknown

2021 BMW 4 Series Engine & cooling

The component that malfunctioned is the engine starter relay, which is subject to an open BMW/NHTSA safety recall (issued September 2025) due to potential corrosion causing overheating, short circuits, and vehicle fire risk. The recall specifically advises parking the vehicle outside and away from structures until repaired. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.My safety and the safety of my family were put at risk because the dealership (Capitol Nissan in San Jose) failed to disclose this critical...

Read the full complaint

fire-risk recall before or during the sale on January 4, 2026, despite it being noted on the provided Carfax report (without any explanation of its severity). I only learned of the fire hazard and "park outside" warning when an authorized BMW dealer informed me during an inspection on January 5, 2026.The recall issue has been confirmed by an authorized BMW dealer on January 5, 2026.The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized BMW dealer, but not yet by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives.There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms that I noticed prior to purchase, as the problem is related to a latent defect covered by the recall. The issue was UNKNOWN to me until the BMW dealer informed me after the purchase.In addition, the dealership engaged in other fraudulent practices, including structuring my full cash payment as self-financed (with themselves as both seller and creditor) and adding unauthorized charges, but the primary safety concern prompting this report is the undisclosed fire-risk recall.

2016 BMW 4 Series Engine & cooling Electrical system

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 428I. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, and the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the engine was overheating, and the air condition system had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact...

Read the full complaint

related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to repair the recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

2016 BMW 4 Series Electrical system Engine & cooling

The engine coolant pump on my 2016 BMW 4 Series has an open recall (#24V-608), issued in August 2024. It's been almost a year, and the remedy is still marked as "Not Available." Recently, my check engine light came on. I used my personal OBD-II scanner and retrieved fault code U019F, which indicates "Lost Communication with Engine Coolant Pump Control Module." This is directly related to the recalled component. I contacted BMW of Bay Ridge in Brooklyn, NY, and they told me I need to pay $335 for a diagnostic,...

Read the full complaint

even though I already provided the fault code and it matches the recall issue. They said this is a "standard diagnostic fee," and they do not offer reimbursement even if it turns out to be related to the recall. BMW North America customer support told me that if a dealership confirms the fault is recall-related, they may try to expedite the remedy. But to get that confirmation, I'm expected to pay out of pocket first - which I find unacceptable since the part is already under an open recall and has now failed. So far, no dealer or service center has inspected the vehicle officially because I don't want to pay $335 to confirm something I already know. Yes, my safety is at risk - the engine cooling system is compromised, and I'm afraid to drive the car. I feel severely impacted and stuck in a situation where BMW won't take responsibility unless I pay first. This is unreasonable. I believe BMW should cover diagnostics or offer another way to confirm the issue without forcing owners to pay out of pocket for their known safety defect. I'm requesting NHTSA's help in resolving this issue.

2017 BMW 4 Series Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 BMW 430I. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle then stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. However, no cause for the failure...

Read the full complaint

was found. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel burning odor entering the interior of the vehicle. The contact checked under the hood and noticed an oil leak outside the engine. The "Low Oil" warning light illuminated, even though the oil level on the instrument panel showed the level was normal. The contact added oil. However, no cause for the failure was found. The contact had placed a small cigarette butt by the engine and when the contact picked up the vehicle, the cigarette butt was still in the same place he had placed it. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V465000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

2016 BMW 4 Series Engine & cooling Electrical system

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

2017 BMW 4 Series Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 BMW 430i. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Coolant Leak, Refill Coolant" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the thermostat, oil filter housing, upper radiator hose, front engine block plug, water pump, turbo coolant line, and gasket were faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the oil filter housing and gasket were previously replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.

2016 BMW 4 Series Engine & cooling Electrical system

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

2020 BMW 4 Series Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2020 BMW 430I. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the low coolant warning light was illuminated, and the message "Engine Overheating" was displayed. The vehicle was parked at the place of employment. The coolant level was checked an hour later by the contact's husband, and the coolant level was low. The contact stated that her husband added coolant to the reservoir and observed coolant leaking underneath the engine compartment. The contact stated that later in the day, while driving at an...

Read the full complaint

undisclosed speed and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the location of the leak was undetermined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,475.

2016 BMW 4 Series Engine & cooling Electrical system

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that several dealers were contacted, and the contact was informed that parts were no longer available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available .

2016 BMW 4 Series Engine & cooling Electrical system

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data