Bmw X4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
88 owner complaints analyzed
30 distinct recall campaigns
38,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 88 complaints (30.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 26 | 29.5% |
| Braking behavior | 20 | 22.7% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 8.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 4.5% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 27 |
| Engine | 16 |
| Service Brakes | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 12 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Suspension | 6 |
Electrical System: 27; Engine: 16; Service Brakes: 14; Unknown Or Other: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling: 12; Power Train: 10; Air Bags: 7; Suspension: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 59 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 17 |
2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 4; 2019: 6; 2020: 6; 2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2023: 7; 2024: 17; 2025: 22; 2026: 17
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 26 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 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 11625311 · 2024-11-14 (November 14, 2024)
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a burning odor in the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirme…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11625311 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11644636 · 2025-02-24 (February 24, 2025)
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X4. 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 not 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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11644636 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10724140 · 2015-06-08 (June 8, 2015)
THIS IS WAS ON HIGHWAY, NO TRUFFICK. ONE ACCIDENT HAPPENED BEFORE ME, WAS NO FLASH LIGHTS OR STOP LIGHTS, WHEN I FIND OUT WHAT THIS VEHICLE NOT MOVING, PRESSED FOOL BRAKE. IN 150 FEET OF FOOL BRAKE CAR DIDN'T STOP. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, THE ABS DIDN'T WORK DURING THE BRAKING, THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T PUMP OUT. THANKS GOD, NO BODY DIDN'T GET ANY SERIOUS INJURIES. THAT'S WAS SO SCARED.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10724140 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11141623 · 2018-10-20 (October 20, 2018)
AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY ONTO OFFRAMP, I APPLIED BRAKES WHICH DID NOT SLOW CAR SIGNIFICANTLY, REAPPLIED BRAKE HARD AND AGAIN CAR CAR WOULD NOT SLOW ADEQUATELY. BRAKING POWER SEEM TO BE APPROX 10% OF NORMAL. CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND ENGINE REVVED AS CAR FINALLY STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION, NEAR MISS VS ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11141623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11577529 · 2024-03-15 (March 15, 2024)
The contact owns a 2016 BMW X4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal popping noise was coming from vehicle while driving over a speed bump or while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed; the diagnostic test showed that the control arm was defective. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approxi…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11577529 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11291623 · 2019-12-27 (December 27, 2019)
THE VEHICLE'S DASH AND INFOTAINMENT SCREENS WILL FLICKER OR STAY OFF FOR A PERIOD OF A FEW SECONDS, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WILL DISPLAY VARIOUS ERRORS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING, LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, THE TRANSMISSION WILL GET THROWN INTO NEUTRAL, ON SOME OCCASIONS THE CAR WILL TURN OFF. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, YOU WILL REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WILL HAPPEN RANDOMLY FROM PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY OR WHILE IN THE TURNPIKE, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPT FOR OVER 50 DAYS OVER TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11291623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11658269 · 2025-05-01 (May 1, 2025)
The contact owns a 2017 BMW X4. 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while slowing down for a traffic light, the message for possible transmission failure and to seek service immediately was displayed. The contact had taken the veh…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11658269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423835 · 2021-07-07 (July 7, 2021)
Vehicle has stalled while in operation (at speed) 5 times since owning. All were very dangerous situations for my wife and surrounding drivers. All issues were apparently "fuel system" related. I purchased this vehicle on May 11, 2018 (POC) from Fields BMW South Orlando, FL. The car was most recently brought in for repair for a continued issue on May 3, 2021. Vehicle has never been in a wreck and has roughly 73K miles. •5/31/2018 – Issue with fuel system. Car started shaking and would not start. 2 weeks after purchase. •6/05/2018 – Issue…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423835 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11591545 · 2024-05-30 (May 30, 2024)
Vehicle cutting off in the middle of the road has happened three times from running A/C, sitting still, or driving.cant put vehicle in neutral as it locks up.15 min later it turns back on.Get a fuel supply and drive moderately MSG. I went to Nalley BMW dealership to explain my issues in concern that my BMW has safety defect that Poses an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in that it exist for the same design or manufactured vehicle like mine that other common groups or experiencing. I expressed that it's hazard that can cause crashes or…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11591545 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2014: 1; 2015: 5; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 7; 2020: 10; 2021: 8; 2022: 6; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 1