Selling a broken or junk BMW X4
NHTSA lists 29 recall campaigns across the BMW X4's model years, against 92 complaints from owners. That is close to one recall for every three complaints, and the 2020 model year alone has 10 campaigns.
- Model years in EPA data
- 2015-2025
- Complaints to NHTSA
- 92
- Year with the most complaints
- 2015 (18)
- Recall campaigns
- 29
- Most recalls in one year
- 2020 (10 campaigns)
- Built in
- Greer, South Carolina, among other plants
- Still sold
- No, production ended November 2025
A crowded recall list does not mean every X4 is in trouble. But if your X4's starter quit, its brakes need major work or its engine is gone, you can sell it unrepaired. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.
Two generations, built in South Carolina
Wikipedia says BMW built the X4 from 2014 to 2025 as a crossover related to the X3, with all-wheel drive. Plant Spartanburg in Greer, South Carolina, built both generations, alongside plants in Brazil, Thailand and elsewhere.
| Generation | Built | Engines | Complaints (model years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First (F26) | July 2014 to March 2018 | 2.0 N20 turbo four, 3.0 N55 turbo six; 8-speed ZF automatic | 42 (2015-2018) |
| Second (G02) | March 2018 to November 2025 | 2.0 B48 turbo four, 3.0 B58 turbo six; 8-speed ZF automatic | 50 (2019-2025) |
The 2018 model year could be either body, so it sits with the first group here.
First generation: air bags and the water pump
With 18 complaints, the 2015 tops the X4 list; service brakes come up in 4. Two air bag recalls reach it: 16V683 replaced the driver's front air bag on 2015 xDrive28i and xDrive35i cars, and 23V797 covers 2015 xDrive35i cars whose driver's inflator may explode when it deploys.
The 2018 has 11 complaints, and five name engine and engine cooling. Recall 24V608 covers 2015-2018 X4s: dealers inspect and replace the water pump and its plug connector and add a protective shield. That campaign counts 720,796 vehicles because it spans many BMW models.
Second generation: brakes, bearings and starters
Recall 18V453 had dealers bleed the rear brake circuit on some 2019 X4s over a problem with the rear brake caliper pistons. Recall 19V678 told owners of some 2020 X4s not to drive until dealers replaced front axle swivel bearings that may not have been heat treated. Recall 21V831 is X4-only: the rear plate light on 2022 cars may not light the plate.
Starters show up twice. Recall 25V636 (2020-2022) told owners to park outside until the engine starter is replaced, and 26V056 (2021-2023) replaces the starter as well. Both campaigns cover the Toyota Supra and several BMW models, so their counts of 199,674 and 87,394 are not X4 totals.
Complaints and recalls by model year
X4 owners' NHTSA complaints as of October 10, 2026. The 2023-2025 cars are young, so their low counts may still climb.
| Year | Complaints | Fire reported | Recall campaigns | Most-named component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 18 | 1 | 5 | Service brakes (4) |
| 2016 | 10 | 0 | 2 | Suspension, engine, engine cooling (2 each) |
| 2017 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Service brakes (2) |
| 2018 | 11 | 1 | 1 | Engine and engine cooling (5) |
| 2019 | 10 | 1 | 7 | Electrical system (3) |
| 2020 | 15 | 0 | 10 | Electrical system (3) |
| 2021 | 6 | 0 | 7 | Seat belts, engine (2 each) |
| 2022 | 4 | 0 | 5 | Service brakes (2) |
| 2023 | 8 | 1 | 2 | One each, led by service brakes |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 | 1 | One each |
| 2025 | 4 | 0 | 1 | Engine (2) |
Fix it or sell it?
- X4 recalls first. Check the VIN with NHTSA's recall lookup. A starter, water pump or brake recall is free at a BMW dealer. Our open recall guide covers selling with one still open.
- Brakes or engine cooling? Get the repair estimate written down, then check what working X4s of that year and mileage are listed for. See bad brakes for how to weigh it.
- Engine gone on a six-cylinder? Blown engine explains when a replacement stops paying off.
Selling your X4 whole
- Have the X4's VIN, its mileage and what made it quit.
- Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
- Say where the X4 is parked and if it can roll. All-wheel drive matters for loading, so mention a locked wheel.
- Sell the whole car as it sits, with the wheels and converter on.
- Before the X4 rolls onto the truck, you sign the title, show your ID and give the driver all the keys. After you sell covers plates by state.
Questions people ask
- Why does the X4 have so many recalls compared with complaints?
- Most X4 recall campaigns also cover the X3 and other BMW models, so one campaign can sweep in many models. The vehicle count NHTSA lists for each campaign is for the whole campaign, not just X4s.
- Which X4 years have the most NHTSA complaints?
- The 2015 with 18, then the 2020 with 15 and the 2018 with 11, counted as of October 10, 2026. The newest model years haven't been out long, so their numbers will likely rise.
- A recall told me to park my X4 outside. Can you still pick it up?
- Yes. Recall 25V636 told some 2020-2022 X4 owners to park outside because of the engine starter relay. Tell us that when you ask for an offer, along with where the car sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.
- NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), BMW X4, downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
- EPA fuel economy data: BMW X4 model years and versions fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 16V683: driver's front air bag, 2015 X4 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 23V797: driver's air bag inflator, 2015 X4 xDrive35i nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 24V608: water pump and plug connector nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 18V453: rear brake caliper pistons, 2019 X4 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 19V678: front axle swivel bearings, do not drive nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 21V831: rear license plate light, 2022 X4 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 25V636: engine starter relay, park outside nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 26V056: engine starter nhtsa.gov
- Wikipedia: BMW X4 (generations, engines, plants) en.wikipedia.org