Bmw 850I problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
26,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 to 2019 model years. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 14 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
Air Bags: 4; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 4; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Power Train: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2002: 4; 2004: 1; 2017: 1; 2021: 4; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11394846 · 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)
ON OR ABOUT DEC. 3, WHILE DRIVING THROUGH JAMESTOWN, NC , NO VEHICLES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY AND WITH MY WIFE'S FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. ONLY TIME IT HAPPENED. ON JAN. 14, 2021, WHILE PARKING THE AUTO AND WITH MY WIFE'S FOOT COVERING THE BRAKE PEDDLE, THE CAR SUDDENDLY ACCERATED INTO A BUILDING. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND WITH HER FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR NEVER SHUT OFF. IT JUST KEPT ACCELERATING INTO BUILDING. IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE. BMW SENT A CORPORATE TECH TO EVALUATE. WITH NO LETTERS OR E-MAIL, WE RECEIV…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11394846 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11574481 · 2024-02-28 (February 28, 2024)
The Coolant tank is known to have and cause leakage by possible high temperatures and over-expansion. When this happens the coolant leaks all over critical engine components such as fuel injectors causing a short and risk of fire. Leaking coolant can also cause many other safety problems such as slippery brakes and/or tires. Fortunately, this hasn't happened to my vehicle yet. I have spoken with several owners who have had this issue happen to them. It would be worth investigating to see if a safety recall is needed. Preventative measures shoul…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11574481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11435507 · 2021-10-05 (October 5, 2021)
Behind the cupholder the shifting unit is unsealed and liquids spill are causing shifting issues to the shifting control module. Also the Airbag sensor is under the same gap which can cause airbag malfunction. There are numerous reports on forums with all model types 2019+, not limited to the 8 series. This is a design flaw on the new center console shifting seal. This is is a life threatening defect, already a open recall for the wire routing under the shifter for the 8 series, same area.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11435507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11396045 · 2021-02-13 (February 13, 2021)
BATTERY INSUFFICIENT CHARGE TO INITIATE REMOTE START. THE CAR AND BATTERY ARE NEW. ON THE DATE OF AUTO PURCHASE THEY NOTED THAT THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH THEY DID AT NO COST BUT NOW IT IS NOT RETAINING CHARGE IN COLD WEATHER IN MINNESOTA.
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11396045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11040836 · 2017-10-29 (October 29, 2017)
STARTED MY BMW 850I, DRIVE HALF A BLOCK DOWN THE STREET, THE AIRBAG BLOW , BURN MY HANDS. I CAN TAKE PICTURE OF THE BROKEN AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL IF NEEDED.
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11040836 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 |
2019: 0