RoadVitals

2020 BMW 840I

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Oct 31, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Sep 25, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 BMW 840I, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 176 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes125.0%
  • Electrical125.0%
  • Engine125.0%
  • Steering125.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
25V644000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

Sep 25, 2025
145,102 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload.
The risk: An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24V576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 17, 2025.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
24V576000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM):SOFTWARE

Aug 1, 2024
105,588 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload.
The risk: A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
21V096000

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA; BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Feb 19, 2021
13,858 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Oct 31, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 BMW 840I. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle abruptly decelerated and nearly came to a complete stop. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the integrated braking system, resulting in a brake seizure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V062000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

NHTSA ID
11623012
Incident
Oct 31, 2024
Mileage
36,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 21, 2024

My vehicle mileage was about 50,000 miles and well maintained by BMW dealership in my area. I was driving to work when suddenly my vehicle alerted me to a fault on display panel showing a power supply fault. The message said i should stop driving and call roadside assistance. The vehicle was towed to BMW dealership. There were no prior warnings or messages or symptoms in relations to this fault. The dealership confirmed that the water pump failed, and caused the drive belt to dislodge, also caused the alternator to malfunction and eventually damaged the battery. The sudden and unexplainable water pump failure caused a chain of damages that cost me thousands of dollars and posing safety risk for me and my family.

NHTSA ID
11609934
Incident
Jun 19, 2024
Filed Mar 10, 2021

THE NAVIGATION WILL STATE THE PLACE THAT YOU ARE PHYSICALLY LOCATED ACCURATELY. FOR EXAMPLE WHEN I WAS AT BMW IN DELRAY BEACH FL THE NAVIGATION TELLS YOU THAT YOU ARE AT THE LOCATION. WHEN YOU PUT IN THE ADDRESS WHERE THE CAR IS PHYSICALLY LOCATED TO NAVIGATE TO, INSTEAD OF SAYING THAT YOU HAVE REACHED YOUR DESTINATION. THE NAVIGATION WILL TAKE YOU MILES AWAY AND SAY THAT YOU HAVE REACHED YOUR DESTINATION. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AS THIS CAN TAKE YOU INTO A RIVER, BOAT RAMP AND OR PLACE YOU IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. DELRAY BMW IN FLORIDA TRIED EVERYTHING AND TOLD ME THAT BMW NEEDS TO COME OUT WITH A PATCH. AFTER COMPLAINING TO BMW USA THEY SORT OF BRUSHED ME OFF.

NHTSA ID
11400108
Incident
Feb 15, 2021
Mileage
2,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 25, 2020

THE LANE KEEPING DRIVING ASSISTANCE/DRIVING ASSISTANCE PRO ON THE 2020 BMW 840I GRAN COUPE PRODUCES A SUDDEN LOUD "BARK" WHEN THE ASSISTANCE SYSTEM LOSES SIGHT OF THE LANE MARKERS. THAT OFTEN HAPPENS IN INTERSECTIONS BUT CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE WHERE THE LANE MARKERS ARE WORN. I BOUGHT THE CAR ON 2/29/2020 AND IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE THEN AND NOT ONLY ON THE DATE SHOWN. THE SUDDEN LOUD "BARK" IS A DISTRACTION, A NUISANCE AND TOTALLY UNNECESSARY SINCE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALSO HAS A LARGE DISPLAY SHOWING THE STATUS OF THE DRIVING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE THE HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL ANYWAY. WHEN DRIVING A CAR, ANY DISTRACTION IS A TRAFFIC SAFETY ISSUE, MORE SO WHEN IT HAPPENS IN INTERSECTIONS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALER SHOP (WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR) BUT THEY SAY THAT THE LOUD 'BARK' CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. MY REQUEST TO NHTSA IS TO DISALLOW BMW AND OTHER BRANDS TO USE SYSTEMS THAT PRODUCE SUDDEN DISTRACTING SOUNDS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. A LANE KEEPING ASSIST SHOULD BE A SYSTEM THAT IMPROVES TRAFFIC SAFETY AND NOT ONE THAT REDUCES IT DUE TO SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED 'BARKS' THAT ARE MAJOR DISTRACTIONS.

NHTSA ID
11319255
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Mileage
100 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B011524

ENGINE

The NVLD modules limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the vehicles original in-service / first delivery date.

B110426

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

The manual starting of electronic engine oil level measurement from inside the vehicle, usually afterperforming an engine oil service task, is inoperative or it may lock up at between a 15% to 30% completionrate.

B840226

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Once the Telematics Module (TCB2) enters sleep mode, a BMW Data Services trigger for Remote Services(remote engine start, lock/unlock/climate conditioning) will not be able to reactivate the TCB2. Due to this issue, Remote Services will not function in the vehicle when parked and locked.

B010126

ENGINE

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.

B521125

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; SEATS

If the seat ventilation is deactivated via the switch or due to parking the vehicle, the fans in the seat cushionor under the seat cushion surface are unpleasantly loud. The fans speed up loudly twice and then turn off. The functionality of the fans is not impaired. This behavior only occurs after the vehicle had been programmed to I level S18A- 25-07-520 and higher; upto, but not including S18A- 25-07-551.

B270220

POWER TRAIN; WHEELS

There is a jerking or shuddering during either or both of the following: Cornering or accelerating from low speeds Driving with low to medium loads There are no warning lights or Check Control messages.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 840I by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010—
2024210—
2023020—
2022710—
2021040—
2020Viewing450—
2019020—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.