YearToAvoid

BMW Best and Worst Years by Model

39 BMW models, 10,549 NHTSA owner complaints and 576 recall campaigns for model years 2010–2025. Pick a model to see which years to avoid and which are the safest bets.

BMW models ranked by owner complaints

Sorted by popularity. Years to avoid / best years come from each model’s own Complaint Index.

ModelYearsComplaintsRecallsYears to avoidBest yearsTop issue
BMW X52010–20252,067792011, 2012, 2024, 20252016, 2017, 2018, 2023Engine
BMW X32010–20251,448622013, 2019, 2022, 20252010, 2012, 2018, 2023Engine
BMW X12012–2025843262014, 2016, 2017, 20232019, 2020Electrical System
BMW 3 Series2010–20235942010, 2013—Engine
BMW X72019–2025301312024, 20252019, 2022Brakes
BMW 5 Series2010–20239782011—Suspension, Wheels & Tires
BMW Z42010–202396222011, 2013—Engine
BMW i32014–201921382014, 20172018, 2019Steering
BMW X62010–2025176412010, 2011, 2012, 20132022Engine
BMW X42014–202591282015, 2020, 2023—Electrical System
BMW M32010–202593122010, 2011, 2013, 2018—Engine
BMW 328i2010–20161,451152011, 20132012, 2016Engine
BMW 335i2010–2016236122011, 20132015Airbags
BMW 540i2017–202591112018, 2022, 2023—Airbags
BMW 330i2010–2025214232019, 2020, 20212022Engine
BMW 528i2010–2016526132011, 20122014, 2016Engine
BMW i42022–20248011——Electrical System
BMW 535i2010–201732792010, 20112016Engine
BMW 550i2010–201615882011, 20122014Engine
BMW 650i2010–20175242012, 2013—Engine
BMW 135i2010–201373620112013Engine
BMW 530i2010–2025109192020, 2022, 2024—Engine
BMW M340i2019–202371142020, 2021—Engine
BMW 740i2012–202551142016, 2023—Electrical System
BMW 128i2010–2013139720112010Airbags
BMW iX2022–20251131220242022Collision Avoidance & Cameras
BMW 328XI2010–201614762011, 2013—Engine
BMW 750Li2010–20219972010, 2011, 2012—Engine
BMW 428i2014–20161567——Engine
BMW 320i2012–201815272014, 20162013Engine
BMW 228i2014–20245792015—Electrical System
BMW 535d2014–2016736——Fuel System
BMW 430i2017–2025120162018, 2019, 2025—Engine
BMW 328d2013–201821182014, 20152016Fuel System
BMW 750i2010–20215532010—Engine
BMW 335XI2010–20155452011, 2013—Engine
BMW 528xi2010–201412112012—Engine
BMW 535XI2010–20147212010, 2011—Suspension, Wheels & Tires
BMW 3282010–20135712011—Airbags

BMW model years with the most complaints

Raw complaint counts (not adjusted for age or sales). Click through for the breakdown.

  1. 2011 BMW 328i · 577 complaints · 7 recalls Avoid
  2. 2012 BMW X5 · 292 complaints · 14 recalls Avoid
  3. 2011 BMW X5 · 287 complaints · 17 recalls Avoid
  4. 2013 BMW 328i · 257 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid
  5. 2013 BMW X3 · 226 complaints · 7 recalls Avoid
  6. 2019 BMW X5 · 188 complaints · 13 recalls Caution
  7. 2019 BMW X3 · 170 complaints · 10 recalls Avoid
  8. 2017 BMW X1 · 164 complaints · 4 recalls Avoid
  9. 2016 BMW X1 · 163 complaints · 4 recalls Avoid
  10. 2013 BMW X5 · 162 complaints · 7 recalls Caution

How we rank BMW years

For each model we compare its own model years using the Complaint Index: complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and “Do Not Drive” recalls reported to NHTSA, adjusted for how long each year has been on the road. The top quarter of a model’s years is marked Avoid, the bottom quarter Best. Because NHTSA publishes no sales data, models are not ranked against each other. Full details in the methodology.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.