2020 BMW 840I Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 26, 2025 · 4 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other 840I years
Not enough data 2nd of 7 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 BMW 840I. That ranks 2nd out of 7 840I model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (1 complaints, 25%). There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2020 BMW 840I problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System1
Engine1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1 · ~36,000 mi
Steering1 · ~100 mi
Unknown or Other1 · ~2,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System125%———
Engine125%———
Service Brakes, Hydraulic125%36,000——
Steering125%100——
Unknown or Other125%2,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2024, with 2 complaints
2020: 1202012021: 1202112024: 220242

n = 4 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2020 BMW 840I recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:starter assemblySep 25, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V644000 · 145,102 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload.

Risk: An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24V576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 17, 2025.

Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm):software; electrical system:starter assemblyAug 1, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V576000 · 105,588 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload.

Risk: A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Back over prevention: sensing system: camera; back over prevention:softwareFeb 19, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V096000 · 13,858 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:hydraulicFeb 10, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V062000 · 893 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance.

Risk: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Seat belts:pretensioner; seat belts:front:warning light/devices; seat belts:front:buckle assembly; air bagsMar 19, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V164000 · 3,316 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, X4M, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, M850i xDrive Gran Coupe, M8 Gran Coupe, X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, and 840i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The sensors in the front seat belt buckles may inaccurately detect a belted occupant as unbelted, possibly causing the air bag and seat belt pretensioners to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

Risk: If the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioners deploy improperly in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt buckles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2020 BMW 840I. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle abruptly decelerated and nearly came to a complete stop. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · received Oct 31, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11623012

My vehicle mileage was about 50,000 miles and well maintained by BMW dealership in my area. I was driving to work when suddenly my vehicle alerted me to a fault on display panel showing a power supply fault. The message said i should stop driving and call roadside assistance. The vehicle was towed…

Electrical System · received Aug 21, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11609934

The navigation will state the place that you are physically located accurately. For example when i was at bmw in delray beach fl the navigation tells you that you are at the location. When you put in the address where the car is physically located to navigate to, instead of saying that you have…

Unknown or Other · received Mar 10, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11400108

The lane keeping driving assistance/driving assistance pro on the 2020 bmw 840i gran coupe produces a sudden loud "bark" when the assistance system loses sight of the lane markers. That often happens in intersections but can happen anywhere where the lane markers are worn. I bought the car on…

Steering · received Mar 25, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11319255

Other BMW 840I years

← 2019 840I · 2021 840I →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2025 840I01
2024 840I21
2023 840I02
2022 840I71
2021 840I04
202045
2019 840I02

See all BMW 840I problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 BMW 840I?

Owners most often report electrical system, engine, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 1 complaint.

Was there a recall on the 2020 BMW 840I?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2020 BMW 840I a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 840I model years, the 2020 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.