Short answer
Among BMW 4 Series model years through 2024, 2016, 2018 and 2020 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (1) and 2021 has the most (7). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
BMW 4 Series: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 13 (2014–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 26
- Fewest recalls
- 2016, 2018 and 2020 (1)
- Most recalls
- 2021 (7)
- Most recalled system
- Electrical system (16)
BMW 4 Series Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 1 | Not rated | Electrical system |
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 1 | Not rated | Electrical system |
| 2024 | 2 | Not rated | Electrical system, Engine |
| 2023 | 3 | Not rated | Electrical system, Power train |
| 2022 | 5 | Not rated | Electrical system, Visibility |
| 2021 | 7 | Not rated | Electrical system, Air bags, Back over prevention |
| 2020 | 1 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2019 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags, Engine and engine cooling |
| 2018 | 1 | Not rated | Seat belts |
| 2017 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2016 | 1 | Not rated | Electrical system |
| 2015 | 5 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2014 | 6 | Not rated | Air bags, Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20261 recall
- 20251 recall
- 20242 recalls
- 20233 recalls
- 20225 recalls
- 20217 recalls
- 20201 recall
- 20193 recalls
- 20181 recall
- 20172 recalls
- 20161 recall
- 20155 recalls
- 20146 recalls
BMW 4 Series: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in BMW 4 Series recalls are electrical system (16), air bags (12), fuel system, gasoline (2), seat belts (2) and back over prevention (1). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
FAQ: BMW 4 Series Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the BMW 4 Series?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2016, 2018 and 2020 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 1 each.
Which BMW 4 Series model years have the most recalls?
2021 has the most, with 7 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "4 Series", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy