2015 BMW X4 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2015 BMW X4, 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
- Engine726.9%
- Electrical519.2%
- Brakes415.4%
- Powertrain (other)311.5%
- Fuel system27.7%
- Airbags27.7%
- Driver assistance13.8%
- Interior & seats13.8%
- Exterior lighting13.8%
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
Description of the Problem: I am reporting a severe vehicle fire that occurred with my 2015 BMW X4 (VIN: [XXX}) on [XXX], while I was driving on [XXX] in Orlando, Florida. This was a life-threatening incident. I narrowly escaped death as flames suddenly engulfed the front of the vehicle while I was on the road. For nearly two hours, it felt like a horror show. I am still in shock. After checking my VIN on NHTSA’s recall database, I discovered that my vehicle is part of Recall Number 24V608, which is still "Incomplete" and had no remedy available. The recall clearly describes a fire risk caused by liquid from the PCV system dripping onto the engine coolant pump’s electrical connector, which may lead to a short circuit and possibly a fire. I strongly believe that this is exactly what happened in my case. I am not a technical expert, but based on the description provided by BMW and NHTSA, it appears this recall defect directly caused my vehicle fire. I had no warning, no remedy notice, and no chance to prevent this. This incident has been widely covered by local news and emergency response teams: WFTV News Coverage WESH 2 News Coverage Orlando-News Article Orlando Fire Department's Official Post on Twitter/X This could have been fatal. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the mental trauma, financial burden, and risk to others on the road were immense. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate this case thoroughly and ensure that BMW is held accountable. These kinds of delays in remedies and safety actions are putting lives at risk. If needed, I can provide photos, videos, or any documentation you require. Contact Information: Name: [XXX] Phone: [XXX] Email: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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 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.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 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.
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.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING THE BMW X4 THE VEHICLE WOULD BREAK ON ITS OWN, CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND FREEWAY. THIS CAUSED ME TO GET OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY WITH THE RISK OF BEING HIT FROM THE REAR. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR THEY SAID IT WAS THE CALIPERS AND BRAKE PADS THAT NEEDED REPLACED. WHEN THIS REPAIR TOOK PLACE, I TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND THE NEXT MORNING THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITHIN 1 MILE OF DIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CAR STARTED BRAKING ON ITS OWN. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY KEPT THE CAR AND WERE ABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE WAS THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FOR THE BRAKES ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REPAIR TOOK PLACE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 6 WEEKS. (THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE IN THE U.S. OR GERMANY AND IT TOOK 6 WEEKS TO GET THE PART.) TODAY I RECEIVED MY VEHICLE BACK AND IT DROVE WITH NO BRAKING ISSUES. THERE WERE NO WARNING LAMPS, MESSAGES OR OTHER SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE IN DECEMBER 2023.
BRAKES WERE UNRESPONSIVE WHEN TRYING TO SLOW FROM 35 MPH FOR STOP SIGN. COULD ONLY DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL ABOUT A HALF-INCH, CAR ESSENTIALLY COASTED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION CAUSING A NEAR MISS. CAR STARTED TO SHUDDER VIOLENTLY BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THIS WAS THE FIRST OF 2 SERIOUS BRAKE FAILURES FOR THIS CAR.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION TWICE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR HAD IT SERVICED ABD THE EXACT SAME ISSUES ARE BACK CAR WILL NOT DRIVE
BRAKES WERE UNRESPONSIVE WHEN TRYING TO SLOW FROM 35 MPH FOR STOP SIGN. COULD ONLY DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL ABOUT A HALF-INCH, CAR ESSENTIALLY COASTED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION CAUSING A NEAR MISS. CAR STARTED TO SHUDDER VIOLENTLY BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THIS WAS THE FIRST OF 2 SERIOUS BRAKE FAILURES FOR THIS CAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Description of the Problem: I am reporting a severe vehicle fire that occurred with my 2015 BMW X4 (VIN: [XXX}) on [XXX], while I was driving on [XXX] in Orlando, Florida. This was a life-threatening incident. I narrowly escaped death as flames suddenly engulfed the front of the vehicle while I was on the road. For nearly two hours, it felt like a horror show. I am still in shock. After checking my VIN on NHTSA’s recall database, I discovered that my vehicle is part of Recall Number 24V608, which is still "Incomplete" and had no remedy available. The recall clearly describes a fire risk caused by liquid from the PCV system dripping onto the engine coolant pump’s electrical connector, which may lead to a short circuit and possibly a fire. I strongly believe that this is exactly what happened in my case. I am not a technical expert, but based on the description provided by BMW and NHTSA, it appears this recall defect directly caused my vehicle fire. I had no warning, no remedy notice, and no chance to prevent this. This incident has been widely covered by local news and emergency response teams: WFTV News Coverage WESH 2 News Coverage Orlando-News Article Orlando Fire Department's Official Post on Twitter/X This could have been fatal. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the mental trauma, financial burden, and risk to others on the road were immense. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate this case thoroughly and ensure that BMW is held accountable. These kinds of delays in remedies and safety actions are putting lives at risk. If needed, I can provide photos, videos, or any documentation you require. Contact Information: Name: [XXX] Phone: [XXX] Email: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
WHILE DRIVING DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC APPROXIMATELY 0645, THE VEHICLE BECAME SLUGGISH AND EVENTUALLY BEGAN SHAKE VIGOROUSLY. I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE WITH VEHICLES DRIVING AT AT SPEEDS UP TO APPROXIMATELY 65 TO 80 MPH. THE DRIVE TRAIN ERROR CAME ON AND INDICATED 'DRIVE MODERATELY.' GIVEN THAT I WAS 3 MILES FROM ENTERING THE MONITOR MERRIMACK MEMORIAL BRIDGE TUNNEL I HAD TO MAKE THE DECISION TO STOP IN THE PAST LANE OR COAST TO THE CENTER LANE BETWEEN AND ON RAMP AND TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC WHIZZING PAST. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO ANY FURTHER SO I PLACED IT IN NEUTRAL TO GET TO THE SAFEST POSSIBLE SCENARIO (BETWEEN THE TRAFFIC AN ON RAMP).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X4. The contact stated that while his wife was at a stop sign, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to approximately 90 mph and crashed into a garage door that was twenty feet away. There were no reported injuries, but the driver and rear-seat child occupant went to the hospital for medical assistance. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. There was no reported fire. The air bags did not deploy. The police were on the scene, but no report was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105, 000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V333000 (SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEFT BRAKE LAMP MALFUNCTION. CAR HAS LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AND IN PERFECT CONDITION.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .