What is the most common engine problem on the 2020 BMW M340i?

The most frequently reported issue is oil pump failure paired with an oil level sensor that cannot read properly, appearing repeatedly across the 42 engine complaints filed for this year.

Is there a recall for the 2020 BMW M340i engine?

Yes. NHTSA lists recall campaign 21V598000 covering the 2020 M340i's engine management software during engine start, plus a separate campaign 24V576000 for related engine software affecting multiple 2020 BMW models.

How many complaints have been filed about the 2020 M340i engine?

NHTSA has 42 engine-related complaints for the 2020 M340i, which is 79% of all 53 complaints filed for the model year.

At what mileage do these engine problems typically appear?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine issue is 52,757.5 miles.

Did the engine problems cause any crashes or fires?

NHTSA records zero crashes, zero fires, and zero injuries linked to the reported engine complaints for the 2020 M340i.

2020 BMW M340i Engine Problems

Engine complaints account for 42 of 53 total complaints (79%) filed against the 2020 BMW M340i, mostly centered on oil pump and oil-level sensor failures. NHTSA lists two related engine recalls, including campaign 21V598000 covering the 2020 M340i's engine start software. Median mileage at failure is 52,757.5 miles.

Engine complaints: 42; 79% of 53
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 52,758 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Owners report the oil level sensor cannot read above roughly 18-20%, making it impossible to confirm actual oil quantity.
Multiple owners describe the plastic-internal oil pump failing, sometimes said to cause sudden loss of oil pressure and potential engine seizure.
Some drivers noticed a flickering oil warning light alongside the unreadable oil level, prompting dealer visits.
One owner reported the engine losing power abruptly during driving, tied to an oil pump failure that also caused the vehicle to spin.
A separate cluster of complaints describes the starter malfunctioning, in one case after a recall repair, leading to a no-start condition and a reported burning smell from the engine bay.

When 2020 BMW M340i engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 19, 2023, latest Sep 13, 2026.

42 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2023 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2026 (6).

Engine recalls for the 2020 BMW M340i

NHTSA 24V576000Aug 1, 2024Engine105,588 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ECM):software
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.
Risk: A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA 21V598000Aug 2, 2021Engine50,024 vehicles
Engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.
Risk: Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine complaints by M340i model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20190 (0%)
202042 (79%)
20217 (64%)
20221 (14%)
20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common engine problem on the 2020 BMW M340i?: The most frequently reported issue is oil pump failure paired with an oil level sensor that cannot read properly, appearing repeatedly across the 42 engine complaints filed for this year.
Is there a recall for the 2020 BMW M340i engine?: Yes. NHTSA lists recall campaign 21V598000 covering the 2020 M340i's engine management software during engine start, plus a separate campaign 24V576000 for related engine software affecting multiple 2020 BMW models.
How many complaints have been filed about the 2020 M340i engine?: NHTSA has 42 engine-related complaints for the 2020 M340i, which is 79% of all 53 complaints filed for the model year.
At what mileage do these engine problems typically appear?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this engine issue is 52,757.5 miles.
Did the engine problems cause any crashes or fires?: NHTSA records zero crashes, zero fires, and zero injuries linked to the reported engine complaints for the 2020 M340i.