BMW 4 Series recalls
Recalls to 31 Oct 2026, from DVSA's file. Each recall shows its own launch date.
DVSA lists 23 safety recalls naming the BMW 4 Series, launched from 2015 to 2026. Most recalls cover only cars built in certain dates or chassis number ranges, so check a specific car on GOV.UK's recall check.
BMW 4 Series recalls at a glance
- Recalls
- 23
- 2015 to 2026
- Latest recall
- 2 March 2026
- R/2026/054
Source: DVSA RecallsFile.csv, recalls launched from 1992 to October 2026, downloaded 31 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0.
Every BMW 4 Series recall
Newest first. The concern is the part or system affected, the defect is what can go wrong, and the remedy is what the manufacturer does to put it right.
Replace the Engine Starter Motor
R/2026/054, launched 2 March 2026. Also covers the 2 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, X3, X4, X5, Z4
Defect: The Safety Recall relates to the engine starter motor. The fault relates to the RSW22 starter RWT (reinforced water tightness). It was found that with RWT starters an increased abrasion of the magnetic contact can cause the growth of deposits at the lowest point of the relay interior. This in turn may increase the relay contact resistance resulting in false starts or even causing short circuits and possibly a thermal reaction. In case of a short circuit the possibility of a thermal event cannot be excluded. This may happen while attempting to start the vehicle or while driving due to vibrations causing a short circuit due to moving deposits.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the starter motor will be replaced with a variant by another supplier with a different design. Until the repair has been completed it is recommended to not leave the vehicle running unattended after starting the engine.
Takata Driver and/or Passenger Airbag Recall (Global VINs)
R/2025/349, launched 18 December 2025. Also covers the 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, X1, X3, X4, X5, X5M, X6, X6M
Defect: Affected vehicles are already included in Safety Recalls within the markets they have previously resided in. The vehicles may be fitted with a driver and/or passenger airbag/s which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury which could prove fatal to people in the vicinity.
Remedy: Vehicles will have the affected airbags checked and if necessary replaced.
Replace the Engine Starter Motor
R/2025/405, launched 27 October 2025. Also covers the 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, X3, X4, Z4
Defect: For affected vehicles there is a concern involving water ingress and corrosion to the starter motor for where a short circuit cannot be ruled out. It is strongly recommended to park the vehicle outdoors and not in the immediate vicinity of buildings until the repair has been carried out.
Remedy: Replacement of the starter motor.
Screw Connection of the Power Supply
R/2025/407, launched 6 October 2025, 1 vehicle affected across the models it covers
Defect: On affected vehicles the screw connection on the B+ power distributor in the vehicle's boot may have not been properly tightened.
Remedy: On affected vehicles the connections will be reworked.
Check Driver’s Airbag for Conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5
R/2024/403, launched 21 October 2024. Also covers the 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6
Defect: Affected vehicles may have had a retrofit or conversion of the airbag using a previously recalled airbag variant which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury possibly fatal to people in the vicinity. The original factory fitment airbag for the vehicle is not affected.
Remedy: Vehicles will have the airbag checked and if necessary replaced.
On certain vehicles the Body Domain Controller (BDC) control unit may have an incorrect setting applied to it.
R/2023/071, launched 20 March 2023, 538 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 2 Series, 3 Series
Defect: On certain vehicles the Body Domain Controller (BDC) control unit may have an incorrect setting applied to it.
Remedy: Conduct a check of the settings and if necessary perform a reset on the BDC control unit.
A possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.
R/2023/016, launched 24 January 2023. Also covers the 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, X1, X3, X4, X5, X5M, X6, X6M
Defect: A possible degradation of airbag propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.
Remedy: On affected vehicles the drivers airbag module will be replaced.
Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold
R/2022/255, launched 22 August 2022, 322,745 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, 8 Series, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7
Defect: Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold.
Remedy: The engine management control unit (DDE) will be programmed with improved software incorporating the latest OBD functionality.
THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION COOLER MAY LEAK OVER TIME AND CAUSE THERMAL INCIDENT
R/2022/206, launched 1 August 2022, 319,399 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6
Defect: The Exhaust Gas Recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the EGR cooler module will be replaced.
THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION MODULE COULD LEAK OVER TIME
R/2021/213, launched 14 June 2021, 18,330 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 3 Series, 6 Series, X3, X4, X5, X6
Defect: The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Module could leak over time’and cause thermal incident.
Remedy: The EGR cooler will be internally inspected with an endoscope and replaced if evidence of leaking is found.
AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY BE FITTED WITH BRAKE DISCS WHICH ARE NOT TO SPECIFICATION
R/2021/085, launched 15 March 2021, 705 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, 8 Series, Z4
Defect: Affected vehicles may be fitted with brake discs which were not produced according to the specifications
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the brake discs will be checked and if necessary replaced
THE INTEGRATED BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC UNIT MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED INCORRECTLY
R/2021/054, launched 22 February 2021, 139 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 7 Series, 8 Series, X5, X6, X7
Defect: The Integrated Brake system hydraulic unit may have been produced incorrectly
Remedy: Replace the Integrated Brake system hydraulic unit.
THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION COOLER COULD LEAK OVER TIME
R/2021/037, launched 9 February 2021, 63,888 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X3, X4, X5
Defect: Leaking glycol coolant could create in combination with soot and oil sediments in the EGR module ignitable deposits.
Remedy: The EGR cooler will be internally inspected with an endoscope and replaced if evidence of leaking is found.
THE BATTERY CABLES ON THE 48V STARTER GENERATOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY SECURED DURING PRODUCTION
R/2021/015, launched 25 January 2021, 388 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 3 Series, 5 Series, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7
Defect: The battery cables on the 48V starter generator may not have been sufficiently secured during the production process.
Remedy: Check the screw connection of the 48V positive / negative battery cables on the starter generator and rework if necessary.
THE DAMPING ELEMENTS MAY BE MISSING FROM SOME INJECTORS WHICH COULD AFFECT FUEL LINES AND LEAD TO LEAKS
R/2020/352, launched 7 December 2020, 24 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 2 Series
Defect: On affected vehicles the damping elements may be missing from some injectors which could affect fuel lines and lead to leaks.
Remedy: Check and install/replace damping elements. Replace high pressure fuel rail if necessary.
THE CFK DRIVE SHAFT 3 HOLE FLANGE WITH A PUSHING PIECE IS NOT PRODUCED WITH SUFFICIENT LONG TERM DURABILITY
R/2019/012, launched 21 January 2019, 973 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 3 Series
Defect: The flange of the propshaft may become detached.
Remedy: Replace the propshaft with a alternative construction.
EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION MODULE COOLER COULD LEAK
R/2018/341, launched 7 December 2018, 225,449 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6
Defect: The EGR cooler may leakpresenting a fire risk
Remedy: A visual inspection of the EGR cooler to check for leaks and excessive build-up of deposits. The EGR cooler will be replaced on all affected vehicles
EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION COOLER COULD POTENTIALLY LEAK OVER TIME
R/2018/258, launched 5 November 2018, 153,602 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X3, X4, X5
Defect: The EGR cooler may leakpresenting a fire risk.
Remedy: The EGR cooler will be replaced with an improved version.
SOFTWARE FAULT IN CRANKSHAFT SENSOR
R/2018/260, launched 15 October 2018, 1,642 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, Countryman, MINI Hatch
Defect: The affected vehicles may be equipped with a crankshaft sensor with a software fault.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the crankshaft sensor will be replaced with a new version.
SOFTWARE FAULT WITH CRANKSHAFT SENSOR
R/2018/211, launched 20 August 2018, 4,025 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, Countryman, MINI Hatch, X1, X2
Defect: The affected vehicles may be equipped with a crankshaft sensor with a software fault. The crankshaft sensor cannot process the signal values from the crankshaft transmitter due to an improper firmware level. The firmware does not compensate sufficiently the temperature gradients and the magnetic field strength of the sensor electronic. If the crankshaft sensor cannot process the signal values from the transmitter the Digital Diesel Electronic (DDE) will notice that and change to the emergency operation mode. The emergency mode will be displayed by the check control message ‘engine malfunction’. The driver may notice a rough running engine and a reduced driving power (70%). However an engine stalling during driving conditions cannot be excluded.
Remedy: On the affected vehicles the crankshaft sensor will be replaced with a new version.
FRONT SEAT FIXING MECHANISM MAY BE INSECURE
R/2017/244, launched 1 September 2017, 50 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 4 Sepies, 6 Series
Defect: Due to a fault in the supplier's production process the bolt on the outer side of the seat mechanism on both front seats might not have been fixed properly. In cases where the bolt loosens the customer would be alerted by noise coming from the seat and a noticeable increase in seat clearance/movement. If this is ignored by the customer the securing bolt on the outer side of the seat might come off. If the securing bolt comes off the seat can move backwards in a rear end crash situation.
Remedy: The bolt on the seat mechanism will be checked for excessive clearance and if necessary replaced.
AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY
R/2017/011, launched 10 January 2017, 668 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 2 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, I8, MINI Hatch, X1
Defect: The igniter for the certain airbag modules may not have been correctly manufactured which may affect air bag deployment in the event of a collision.
Remedy: Where necessary replace affected airbag modules.
DRIVESHAFT MAY FAIL
R/2015/240, launched 2 December 2015, 6 vehicles affected across the models it covers. Also covers the 3 Series
Defect: The propshaft slide joint may not have been lubricated during manufacture
Remedy: On affected vehicles check propshaft and hwere necessary replace propshaft.
Source: DVSA RecallsFile.csv, recalls launched from 1992 to October 2026, downloaded 31 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0.
What to do next
If you own a BMW 4 Series, check its registration on GOV.UK and ask a BMW dealer whether any recall work is outstanding. If you are buying one, ask the seller for proof the work was done, and run a Motoring Insider history check for finance, write-offs and the MOT history.