RoadVitals

2015 BMW M4 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
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Latest May 24, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2015 BMW M4, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine531.3%
  • Electrical425.0%
  • Powertrain (other)425.0%
  • Body & structure16.3%
  • Brakes16.3%
  • Visibility16.3%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The BMW OEM intercooler/charge air cooler is a known faulty equipment issue within this generation of cars/engine (S55 Engine, F80, F82, F87 chassis) and I have thousands of people within the community that were affected and willing to attest to this. This issue is a safety risk as having the intercooler leak coolant into the combustion chambers this will be a catastrophically damage the engine. As I've mentioned this problem has been confirmed by dealers and independent service centers, and I have thousands of people in the willing to attest to this being a very common issue in this generation of cars. There is usually supposed to be a service warning/check engine light that comes up on the car when there is a coolant leak, I received nothing. The symptoms I've experienced are as the following: My radiator fans kept coming on after drives, I had to physically check that coolant was in fact leaking and the reservoir being bone dry within days, I scanned my vehicle for codes and of course the coolant leak code came back.

NHTSA ID 11449103 · filed Jan 27, 2022

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON MARCH 10, 2020 FOR SERVICING. DURING THE TIME THEY HAD MY CAR, THEY REPLACED MY FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS, COMPLETED THE INSPECTION, AND GAVE ME THE CAR BACK AFTER A COUPLE DAYS. ON APRIL 10, 2020, I TOOK MY CAR INTO SERVICE AGAIN AS I WAS HAVING DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTIONS CONSTANTLY. SEVERAL WEEKS OF BEING IN THE SHOP, BMW SERVICE TECHNICIANS FOUND THAT COOLING FLUIDS HAD LEAKED FROM MY TOP MOUNTED INTERCOOLER, INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THROUGH THE INTAKE VALVES, AND DIRECTLY INTO THE ENGINE OF MY VEHICLE. SINCE THE ENGINE NOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BMW OF FREMONT RECOMMENDED AND REQUESTED FOR AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT BUT BMW HAD REJECTED IT AND STATED THAT THEY FOUND SOME 'TUNE' IN THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE PLAN FROM BMW DIRECTLY THAT IS STILL ACTIVE. MY ENGINE REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT BMW IS NOT ADHERING TO THAT WARRANTY. AFTER COUNTLESS CALLS AND EMAILS BEING SENT BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN ME AND BMW, NEW INFORMATION AROSE STATING THAT BMW FOUND THAT THE 'TUNE' FOUND IN MY VEHICLE WAS MERELY A VALVE CONTROLLER FOR MY EXHAUST SYSTEM. BMW OF FREMONT CLEARLY MENTIONED TO BMW THAT THIS LEAK IS NOT CAUSED BY OR EVEN REMOTELY CORRELATED TO THE VALVE CONTROLLER, AND THAT THIS ISSUE IS MECHANICAL, NOT SOFTWARE RELATED. CLEARLY, THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MAJOR ISSUE AT HAND, WHICH IS THE LEAKING INTERCOOLER CAUSING MY ENGINE TO FAIL. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY CAR TO BE RUN WITHOUT THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, AS THE CAR NOW HAS A MUCH HIGHER CHANCE OF BEING HYDRO-LOCKED. MY CAR HAS NOW BEEN AT BMW OF FREMONT FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS. I'M STILL PAYING MY MONTHLY DUES FOR THE VEHICLE DILIGENTLY EVEN THOUGH BMW HAS CAUSED THIS MANY ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID 11331846 · filed Jun 30, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The instrument cluster display no longer functions. Unable to see odometer. Unable to see any vehicle warnings such as fuel warnings, airbag warnings, adas warnings. If I am unable to utilize the instrument cluster display it puts myself and others in harms way as if there is an issue with the vehicle or a warning, I would be unaware as there is no way for that information to reach me. The issue has been confirmed with a code of : B7f694 The display back lighting has failed. BMW states this out of their warranty/workmanship coverage. Leading up to the display failure, the display would cut in and out.

NHTSA ID 11613582 · filed Sep 9, 2024

I had the issue relating to this bullitin [XXX] This issue resulted in both rear window regulators going out due to the water. BMW USA denied to perform any goodwill repair or even acknowledge this issue. This issue consequently results in the convertible top malfunctioning as it cannot roll the rear windows down Many BMW convertible customers have had this issue as it is readily present within online forums. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11593123 · filed Jun 7, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING LIKE I NORMALLY DO TO WORK AND MY TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WENT LIMP AND A FEW MOMENTS LATER THE CLUTCH TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ALSO. IT STOPPED DOING IT FOR A WHILE AND NOW IT DOES IT VERY OFTEN BUT DOES NOT PUT A CODE IN THE CARS COMPUTER DATABASE SO IT CAN'T BE TRACKED. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN A IN CITY WITH LIGHTS ETC AND SOMETIMES ON THE HIGHWAYS ALSO.

NHTSA ID 11342183 · filed Jul 30, 2020

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON MARCH 10, 2020 FOR SERVICING. DURING THE TIME THEY HAD MY CAR, THEY REPLACED MY FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS, COMPLETED THE INSPECTION, AND GAVE ME THE CAR BACK AFTER A COUPLE DAYS. ON APRIL 10, 2020, I TOOK MY CAR INTO SERVICE AGAIN AS I WAS HAVING DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTIONS CONSTANTLY. SEVERAL WEEKS OF BEING IN THE SHOP, BMW SERVICE TECHNICIANS FOUND THAT COOLING FLUIDS HAD LEAKED FROM MY TOP MOUNTED INTERCOOLER, INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THROUGH THE INTAKE VALVES, AND DIRECTLY INTO THE ENGINE OF MY VEHICLE. SINCE THE ENGINE NOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BMW OF FREMONT RECOMMENDED AND REQUESTED FOR AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT BUT BMW HAD REJECTED IT AND STATED THAT THEY FOUND SOME 'TUNE' IN THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE PLAN FROM BMW DIRECTLY THAT IS STILL ACTIVE. MY ENGINE REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT BMW IS NOT ADHERING TO THAT WARRANTY. AFTER COUNTLESS CALLS AND EMAILS BEING SENT BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN ME AND BMW, NEW INFORMATION AROSE STATING THAT BMW FOUND THAT THE 'TUNE' FOUND IN MY VEHICLE WAS MERELY A VALVE CONTROLLER FOR MY EXHAUST SYSTEM. BMW OF FREMONT CLEARLY MENTIONED TO BMW THAT THIS LEAK IS NOT CAUSED BY OR EVEN REMOTELY CORRELATED TO THE VALVE CONTROLLER, AND THAT THIS ISSUE IS MECHANICAL, NOT SOFTWARE RELATED. CLEARLY, THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MAJOR ISSUE AT HAND, WHICH IS THE LEAKING INTERCOOLER CAUSING MY ENGINE TO FAIL. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY CAR TO BE RUN WITHOUT THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, AS THE CAR NOW HAS A MUCH HIGHER CHANCE OF BEING HYDRO-LOCKED. MY CAR HAS NOW BEEN AT BMW OF FREMONT FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS. I'M STILL PAYING MY MONTHLY DUES FOR THE VEHICLE DILIGENTLY EVEN THOUGH BMW HAS CAUSED THIS MANY ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID 11331846 · filed Jun 30, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAIL TO UNLOCK TO ALLOW DOOR OPEN WHEN INTERIOR DOOR RELEASE PULLED. OCCURRED OCCASIONALLY AT FIRST, NOW REGULARLY BUT NOT ALWAYS. THE CAR DESIGNED TO AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS WHEN DRIVEN, ONCE CAR PARKED AND READY TO GET OUT, DOOR LEVER FAILS TO UNLOCK AND ALLOW DOOR TO OPEN. NORMALLY FIRST PULL OF INTERIOR DOOR LEVER UNLOCKS AND SECOND RELEASES DOOR. WHEN THIS ISSUE HAPPENS FIRST PULL FAILS TO UNLOCK, THE LOCK BUTTON BY DOOR COMES UP, BUT SPRINGS BACK DOWN, TRAPPING THE DRIVER AS DOOR UNABLE TO BE OPENED. ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK TO GET OUT IS TO PRESS CENTRAL LOCK BUTTON, SO IF BATTERY DIES, WILL BE TRAPPED IN VEHICLE. WEB SEARCH WILL SHOW THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS. IT'S A RATHER CONCERNING ISSUE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION TO POTENTIALLY BE TRAPPED. *TR

NHTSA ID 11324374 · filed May 13, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The ABS module, which controls the brake drying feature, is malfunctioning. This BMW feature is designed to lightly pulse the brakes when the windshield wipers are active to wipe water off the rotors for better braking performance. The intervention is supposed to be imperceptible. Instead, the system intermittently applies hard, sudden brake pressure while the windshield wipers are operating. This causes abrupt, strong deceleration that feels like the brakes are slamming on by themselves. The problem occurs in wet conditions when wipers are on. It has happened multiple times and has nearly caused rear-end collisions or loss of control on multiple occasions. This unexpected hard braking at speed in wet conditions creates a significant risk of rear-end collision, loss of vehicle control, or accident, especially on highways or in traffic. The only workaround is to drive without wipers in the rain, which is also dangerous due to reduced visibility. I have not yet brought the car into the dealership to have it inspected but I do intend on getting that done within the week. There are no warning lights or messages to suggest there even is a problem.

NHTSA ID 11739821 · filed May 24, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS ISSUE AFFECTS VEHICLES MOVING IN REVERSE AT NIGHT. THE REAR VIEW CAMERA IMAGE AT NIGHT IS VERY DARK AND OBJECTS CANNOT BE SEEN. THE ISSUE IS SEEN ON WHITE OR LIGHT COLOR VEHICLES WHEN THE LIGHT FROM THE LICENSE PLATE REFLECT ON THE BUMPER CAUSING THE CAMERA NOT TO FOCUS PROPERLY. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF AND THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS TURN OFF THE REAR VIEW CAMERA HAS A BETTER VIEW. TURNING OFF THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DISTINGUISH OBJECTS AT NIGHT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL. PLEASE ASK BMW TO CORRECT. I HAVE A COUPLE OF OPTIONS THAT I CAN SUGGEST BUT WILL DEFER TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE FINAL SOLUTION.

NHTSA ID 11162402 · filed Dec 19, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .