Home · 2015 BMW X4 Xdrive35i · Complaints

What 18 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 BMW X4 Xdrive35i

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (18)Crash / fire / injury (3)Electrical system (5)Brakes (4)Engine (4)Engine & cooling (3)Transmission & drivetrain (3)Airbags (2)Fuel system (2)Lights (1)Seats (1)Speed control (1)

Newest first · 18 complaints

Apr 16, 2025Engine & coolingElectrical system

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11654956

Apr 16, 2025EngineFuel systemFire

Description of the Problem: I am reporting a severe vehicle fire that occurred with my 2015 BMW X4 (VIN: [XXX}) on [XXX], while I was driving on [XXX] in Orlando, Florida. This was a life-threatening incident. I narrowly escaped death as flames suddenly engulfed the front of the vehicle while I was on the road. For nearly two hours, it felt like a horror show. I am still in shock. After checking my VIN on NHTSA’s recall database, I discovered that my vehicle is part of Recall Number 24V608, which is still "Incomplete" and had no remedy available. The recall clearly describes a fire risk caused by liquid from the PCV system dripping onto the engine coolant pump’s electrical connector, which may lead to a short circuit and possibly a fire. I strongly believe that this is exactly what happened in my case. I am not a technical expert, but based on the description provided by BMW and NHTSA, it appears this recall defect directly caused my vehicle fire. I had no warning, no remedy notice, and no chance to prevent this. This incident has been widely covered by local news and emergency response teams: WFTV News Coverage WESH 2 News Coverage Orlando-News Article Orlando Fire Department's Official Post on Twitter/X This could have been fatal. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the mental trauma, financial burden, and risk to others on the road were immense. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate this case thoroughly and ensure that BMW is held accountable. These kinds of delays in remedies and safety actions are putting lives at risk. If needed, I can provide photos, videos, or any documentation you require. Contact Information: Name: [XXX] Phone: [XXX] Email: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11655106

Feb 24, 2025Engine & coolingElectrical system

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11644636

Feb 11, 2025Engine

I have reached out to BMW Dealers twice and BMW America Co since October 2024, after receiving the recall notice of Engine Coolant Pump crankcase (No. 24V-608). However, they have been unable to confirm when the remedy will be available. I would like to file a complaint regarding BMW's delay in providing the remedy, which has now exceeded six months. This delay is taking too long, and BMW should prioritize customer safety by having the remedy available as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this matter to help.

NHTSA ODI 11642060

Nov 14, 2024Engine & coolingElectrical system

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X4. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a burning odor in the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); the VIN was included, but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was unknown.VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11625311

May 30, 2024

Vehicle cutting off in the middle of the road has happened three times from running A/C, sitting still, or driving.cant put vehicle in neutral as it locks up.15 min later it turns back on.Get a fuel supply and drive moderately MSG. I went to Nalley BMW dealership to explain my issues in concern that my BMW has safety defect that Poses an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in that it exist for the same design or manufactured vehicle like mine that other common groups or experiencing. I expressed that it's hazard that can cause crashes or deaths in that the common groups has their fuel pumps replaced in that still didn't help the common issues while also getting a recall on my vehicle in was advised from my advisor to call BMW head quarters in the NHTSA bout my issue in concerns so y'all can have a open case in perhaps make a recall on this design vehicle in that I need to drive it for two weeks after the recall was done but as soon I drove my vehicle on 05/21/2024 it shut off on me again in the middle of the road.I notified my advisor in my service advisor recommended me to schedule a diagnostic the next day .May 22,2024 at 10:00 am. I did at my expense of $202.00 In my repair estimate total $8335.14 which is on hold my diagnostic scan needs Fuel pump replacement,faults pump module (ekps) Fuel system repair, programming in etc.This is not okay in I could've lost my life due to this negligence situation.

NHTSA ODI 11591545

Feb 13, 2024Brakes

WHEN DRIVING THE BMW X4 THE VEHICLE WOULD BREAK ON ITS OWN, CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND FREEWAY. THIS CAUSED ME TO GET OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY WITH THE RISK OF BEING HIT FROM THE REAR. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR THEY SAID IT WAS THE CALIPERS AND BRAKE PADS THAT NEEDED REPLACED. WHEN THIS REPAIR TOOK PLACE, I TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND THE NEXT MORNING THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITHIN 1 MILE OF DIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CAR STARTED BRAKING ON ITS OWN. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY KEPT THE CAR AND WERE ABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE WAS THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FOR THE BRAKES ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REPAIR TOOK PLACE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 6 WEEKS. (THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE IN THE U.S. OR GERMANY AND IT TOOK 6 WEEKS TO GET THE PART.) TODAY I RECEIVED MY VEHICLE BACK AND IT DROVE WITH NO BRAKING ISSUES. THERE WERE NO WARNING LAMPS, MESSAGES OR OTHER SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE IN DECEMBER 2023.

NHTSA ODI 11571770

Dec 27, 2023Speed controlCrash

The contact owns a 2015 BMW X4. The contact stated that while his wife was at a stop sign, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to approximately 90 mph and crashed into a garage door that was twenty feet away. There were no reported injuries, but the driver and rear-seat child occupant went to the hospital for medical assistance. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. There was no reported fire. The air bags did not deploy. The police were on the scene, but no report was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105, 000.

NHTSA ODI 11562051

Jun 15, 2022Engine

Timing chain failure and shutting down of engine on the highway. There was a class action suit about this, which closed March 2021. BMW has not issues a recall despite the class action suit.

NHTSA ODI 11469483

Oct 28, 2020Transmission & drivetrainEngine

DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION TWICE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR HAD IT SERVICED ABD THE EXACT SAME ISSUES ARE BACK CAR WILL NOT DRIVE

NHTSA ODI 11366945

Feb 10, 2020

SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI 11308110

Jun 4, 2019Electrical systemFuel system

WHILE DRIVING DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC APPROXIMATELY 0645, THE VEHICLE BECAME SLUGGISH AND EVENTUALLY BEGAN SHAKE VIGOROUSLY. I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE WITH VEHICLES DRIVING AT AT SPEEDS UP TO APPROXIMATELY 65 TO 80 MPH. THE DRIVE TRAIN ERROR CAME ON AND INDICATED 'DRIVE MODERATELY.' GIVEN THAT I WAS 3 MILES FROM ENTERING THE MONITOR MERRIMACK MEMORIAL BRIDGE TUNNEL I HAD TO MAKE THE DECISION TO STOP IN THE PAST LANE OR COAST TO THE CENTER LANE BETWEEN AND ON RAMP AND TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC WHIZZING PAST. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO ANY FURTHER SO I PLACED IT IN NEUTRAL TO GET TO THE SAFEST POSSIBLE SCENARIO (BETWEEN THE TRAFFIC AN ON RAMP).

NHTSA ODI 11217906

Feb 6, 2019Lights

LEFT BRAKE LAMP MALFUNCTION. CAR HAS LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AND IN PERFECT CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI 11174846

Oct 21, 2018Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

BRAKES WERE UNRESPONSIVE WHEN TRYING TO SLOW FROM 35 MPH FOR STOP SIGN. COULD ONLY DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL ABOUT A HALF-INCH, CAR ESSENTIALLY COASTED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION CAUSING A NEAR MISS. CAR STARTED TO SHUDDER VIOLENTLY BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THIS WAS THE FIRST OF 2 SERIOUS BRAKE FAILURES FOR THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11141669

Oct 20, 2018Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY ONTO OFFRAMP, I APPLIED BRAKES WHICH DID NOT SLOW CAR SIGNIFICANTLY, REAPPLIED BRAKE HARD AND AGAIN CAR CAR WOULD NOT SLOW ADEQUATELY. BRAKING POWER SEEM TO BE APPROX 10% OF NORMAL. CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND ENGINE REVVED AS CAR FINALLY STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION, NEAR MISS VS ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI 11141623

Sep 10, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI 11022528

Sep 7, 2016Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V333000 (SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10904410

Jun 8, 2015Electrical systemAirbagsBrakesCrash

THIS IS WAS ON HIGHWAY, NO TRUFFICK. ONE ACCIDENT HAPPENED BEFORE ME, WAS NO FLASH LIGHTS OR STOP LIGHTS, WHEN I FIND OUT WHAT THIS VEHICLE NOT MOVING, PRESSED FOOL BRAKE. IN 150 FEET OF FOOL BRAKE CAR DIDN'T STOP. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, THE ABS DIDN'T WORK DURING THE BRAKING, THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T PUMP OUT. THANKS GOD, NO BODY DIDN'T GET ANY SERIOUS INJURIES. THAT'S WAS SO SCARED.

NHTSA ODI 10724140

Working with the data? Download all 18 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 28, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2015 BMW X4 Xdrive35i verdict →