BMW X4 Best and Worst Years (2014–2025)
Across the BMW X4's 2014-2025 run, 2015, 2020, and 2023 are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 82, 91, and 100 respectively, the highest of any model year. 2018 draws Caution status with a complaint index of 73. No year is marked Best in this data set.
- Model years
- 12
- 2014–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 91
- Recall campaigns
- 28
- Crashes reported
- 9
- Fires reported
- 4
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
X4 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
BMW X4 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 2015 | Avoid | 82 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 5 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2016 | Good | 45 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2017 | No verdict | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 22 | — |
| 2018 | Caution | 73 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2019 | Good | 36 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 7 | Brakes | 24 | — |
| 2020 | Avoid | 91 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 10 ! | Electrical System | 19.5 | — |
| 2021 | Good | 27 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 7 | Engine | 19.5 | — |
| 2022 | No verdict | 18 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Brakes | 20 | — |
| 2023 | Avoid | 100 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Brakes | 20 | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 55 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Fuel System | 20 | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 64 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 20 | — |
X4 years to avoid: what went wrong
2023 BMW X4 Index 100 · 7 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2023 X4 has the highest complaint index in the lineup, 100, and ranks worst overall despite having only 7 total complaints. Brakes, Engine, and Collision Avoidance & Cameras each account for 29% of complaints. Owners reported brake failure with automatic emergency braking not activating, an engine fire while idling tied to NHTSA Campaign 26V438000, and a case of odometer discrepancy discovered at registration. Two recalls are listed for this year, covering the engine starter and transmission mechatronics module.
2020 BMW X4 Index 91 · 15 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2020 X4 carries the highest recall count among the avoid years, with 10 campaigns, one of which is a do-not-drive recall. Its complaint index is 91. Electrical System complaints account for 33% of reports, with an unusually low median failure mileage of 8 miles, suggesting issues appearing almost immediately. Owners described dimming instrument screens and a drivetrain that lost motive power at highway speed after the rear differential disconnected. A 2025 recall also told owners to park outside due to an engine starter relay issue.
2015 BMW X4 Index 82 · 18 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2015 X4 has a complaint index of 82 and ranks third-worst of the 12 model years covered. Engine problems make up 44% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 105,000, while electrical issues (33% of complaints) surfaced much earlier, at a median of 14,900 miles. Owners reported sudden unintended acceleration and braking systems that failed to slow the car adequately. NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for this year, including two airbag inflator recalls tied to driver's front air bag replacement.
Most common BMW X4 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System31 (34%)
- Engine31 (34%)
- Brakes15 (16%)
- Other15 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (13%)
- Airbags7 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (7%)
- Fuel System5 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (4%)
- Seat Belts4 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year BMW X4 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2015, 2020, and 2023 BMW X4. These years have complaint index scores of 82, 91, and 100, the highest among the 12 model years with data.
- Is the 2020 BMW X4 reliable?
- The 2020 X4 has a complaint index of 91 and 10 recall campaigns, including one do-not-drive recall, making it one of the three years flagged for avoidance based on NHTSA data.
- Which BMW X4 model year has the most complaints?
- The 2015 X4 has the most total complaints at 18, though the 2023 X4 has the highest complaint index score of 100 despite having only 7 complaints.
- What is the most common problem area across all BMW X4 years?
- Electrical System and Engine issues tie as the top problem areas, each accounting for 34% of the 91 total complaints across all model years.
- Is the 2018 BMW X4 a safe choice?
- The 2018 X4 is marked Caution, not Avoid, with a complaint index of 73. Engine problems were the top issue, with a median failure mileage of 87,500.