Model research hub
BMW X4
The BMW X4 was a compact luxury sports-activity coupe built from 2014 to 2025, when BMW discontinued it in favor of the electric BMW iX4. VinSpectorAI names the 2020 the worst model year by complaints, at 15, and lists 2020, 2018 and 2016 as years to avoid, while SafeCarInfo, which tracked 23 total recalls across the model, says to consider the 2023 for the best safety record. Federal data agrees, showing the 2020 with the most recalls (10).
What the BMW X4 is
Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) describes the X4 as a compact luxury crossover SUV made by BMW from 2014 to 2025, marketed as a sports activity coupe, the second BMW model marketed that way after the X6, related to the X3, with a first generation (F26) from 2014 and a second (G02) from 2018. It lists the BMW iX4 as its successor.
Best and worst X4 model years
Federal data shows the 2020 X4 with 10 recalls, the most of any year, and 15 complaints, and the 2019 with 7 recalls and 10 complaints. The 2021 has 8 recalls, the 2022 has 6, the 2023 has 3, the 2024 has 2, and the 2025 X4, its final model year, has 2.
VinSpectorAI (opens in a new tab) names the 2020 the worst model year by complaints, at 15, and lists 2020, 2018 (11 complaints) and 2016 (10 complaints) as years to avoid. SafeCarInfo (opens in a new tab) says the X4 has been tracked across 6 model years with 23 total recalls recorded, and that for the best safety record buyers should consider the 2023 model year.
Choosing a year
With production ending in 2025, a used X4 is now the only option, and the 2023 stands out on SafeCarInfo's safety record while the 2020 needs the most VIN checking for its electrical system, backup camera, steering and seat belt campaigns.
Questions buyers ask
What is the worst BMW X4 year?
VinSpectorAI (opens in a new tab) names the 2020, with 15 complaints, and also lists 2018 and 2016 among the years to avoid.
Is the BMW X4 discontinued?
Yes. Wikipedia gives its production as 2014 to 2025, with the BMW iX4 listed as its successor.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2025 BMW X4 is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, 3.0L turbo inline-six, or 3.0L turbo inline-six (X4 M), rated at 248 / 382 / 473 horsepower across its compact luxury coupe-SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2025 U.S. lineup has 4 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2025 X4 seats 5 and is a Compact luxury coupe-SUV.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 2 owner complaints for the 2025 X4.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2025 BMW X4
xDrive30i uses the 248-hp turbo four; M40i steps up to a 382-hp turbo six; X4 M and X4 M Competition are dedicated performance variants with a distinct 473-hp mild-hybrid tune.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
3 indexed BMW X4 model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 BMW X4 | 2025 record → | |
| 2022 BMW X4 | 2022 record → | |
| 2016 BMW X4 | 2016 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the BMW X4.
The BMW X4 is a compact luxury crossover SUV manufactured by BMW from 2014 to 2025. It is marketed as a sports activity coupé (SAC), the second model from BMW marketed as such after the X6, and features styling elements and the roofline of a traditional two-door coupé. The X4 is widely considered as a "coupé" version of the X3, trading its practicality with a sloping rear roof which offers a sportier styling.
Source: BMW X4 (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
BMW X4 at a glance
- Production
- 2014–2025
- Model years
- 2015–2025
- Class
- Compact luxury crossover SUV
- Body style
- 5-door coupé SUV
- Layout
- Front-engine, all-wheel-drive (xDrive)
- Successor
- BMW iX4
- Related models
- BMW X3
BMW X4 generations
The BMW X4 has been redesigned in 2018, gaps of 4 years, an average of 4.0 years between generations. The current generation (second generation, G02) began in 2018.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | F26 | 2014–2018 | The first-generation X4 was unveiled at the 2014 New York International Auto Show, followed by the 13th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition 2014, and at the 22nd Auto Mobil International Leipzig 2014. |
| Second generation | G02 | 2018–present | The second-generation was revealed online in February 2018 as the successor to the F26 X4, with sales commenced in July 2018. |
Recent recalls (4 campaigns across the latest model years)
- January 2026, Electrical System:Starter Assembly. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023… Consequence: Fire increases the risk of injury.
- December 2024, Air Bags. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X4 xDrive 30i, X4 M40i and X4 M vehicles. The inner-left roof frame near the head air bag may have a crack that can damage the head air bag during deployment. Consequence: An air bag that is damaged during deployment can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- December 2023, Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm). BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i… Consequence: Transmission oil that leaks into the control unit can lead to a seizure of the transmission gears, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a…
Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 BMW X4, most often about electrical system (2), engine (2), unknown or other (1).
Year by year
The BMW X4 across 11 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 BMW X4 | 17–24 | $3,300–$4,700 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 BMW X4 | 17–24 | $3,250–$4,550 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| 2023 BMW X4 | 17–24 | $3,250–$4,550 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 2022 BMW X4 | 17–24 | $3,250–$4,550 | 4 | 6 | 3 |
| 2021 BMW X4 | 16–25 | $3,100–$4,850 | 4 | 8 | 6 |
| 2020 BMW X4 | 16–25 | $3,100–$4,850 | 4 | 10 | 15 |
| 2019 BMW X4 | 23–25 | $3,100–$3,350 | 2 | 7 | 10 |
| 2018 BMW X4 | 21–23 | $3,350–$3,700 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| 2017 BMW X4 | 21–23 | $3,350–$3,700 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 2016 BMW X4 | 21–23 | $3,350–$3,700 | 3 | 2 | 10 |
| 2015 BMW X4 | 21–23 | $3,350–$3,700 | 2 | 5 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the BMW X4, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 to 2022 | Engines: 3L 6-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid | |||
| 2019 to 2020 | 2 to 4 | 24.0 to 20.5 | Labels: X4 M, X4 M Competition | |
| 2018 to 2019 | 22.0 to 24.0 | Labels: X4 xDrive30i | Labels: X4 xDrive28i | |
| 2016 to 2017 | 3 to 2 | Labels: X4 xDrive35i | ||
| 2015 to 2016 | 2 to 3 | Labels: X4 M40i |
Buying used
What the BMW X4 recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | air bags | None |
| 2024 | 1 | steering | None |
| 2023 | 2 | power train (automatic transmission); electrical system (starter assembly) | None |
| 2022 | 5 | equipment (other); exterior lighting; power train (automatic transmission); 1 more | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2021 | 7 | back over prevention (sensing system); fuel system, gasoline (storage); engine; 2 more | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2020 | 10 | suspension (front); back over prevention (sensing system); steering (rack and pinion); 5 more | 2 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2019 | 7 | service brakes, hydraulic (foundation components); air bags (frontal); seats; 2 more | None |
| 2018 | 1 | engine and engine cooling (cooling system) | None |
| 2017 | 2 | child seat (latch strap); engine and engine cooling (cooling system) | None |
| 2016 | 2 | child seat (latch strap); engine and engine cooling (cooling system) | None |
| 2015 | 5 | visibility (rearview mirrors/devices); child seat (latch strap); air bags (frontal); 1 more | None |
Recalls that told owners to stop driving or park outside
- 2020, campaign 19V-678 (Sep 2019): suspension (front). Broken swivel bearings can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 2020, campaign 25V-636 (Sep 2025): electrical system (starter assembly). A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
- 2021, campaign 25V-636 (Sep 2025): electrical system (starter assembly). A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
- 2022, campaign 25V-636 (Sep 2025): electrical system (starter assembly). A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 23 | 32% | 2018 (7) |
| engine | 12 | 17% | 2018 (3) |
| unknown or other | 10 | 14% | 2020 (3) |
| service brakes | 10 | 14% | 2017 (2) |
| engine and engine cooling | 9 | 13% | 2018 (5) |
| power train | 8 | 11% | 2019 (2) |
Trim by trim
Every 2025 BMW X4 trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xDrive30i | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 248 | 258 | 4,178 | – | 24 | $56,475 |
| M40i | AWD | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 382 | 369 | 4,403 | – | 23 | $67,875 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2025 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every BMW X4 model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 248–382 | 4,178–4,403 | – | 17.2 |
| 2024 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 248–382 | 4,178–4,403 | – | 17.2 |
| 2023 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 248–382 | 4,178–4,403 | – | 17.2 |
| 2022 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 248–382 | 4,178–4,403 | – | 17.2 |
| 2021 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 245–382 | 4,138–4,284 | – | 17.2 |
| 2020 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Twin Turbo) | 248–382 | 4,147–4,323 | – | 17.2 |
| 2019 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter V6 (Twin Turbo) | 248–355 | 4,146–4,323 | – | 17.2 |
| 2018 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Twin Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 240–355 | 4,130–4,235 | – | 17.7 |
| 2017 | 2 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 240–355 | 4,130–4,235 | – | 17.7 |
| 2016 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) | 240–360 | 4,130–4,260 | – | 17.7 |
| 2015 | 2 | 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 245–300 | 4,130–4,260 | – | 17.7 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Model-year recall record
BMW X4: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
Fewer recalls than this model’s own average
- 2026 BMW X4 : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 4.1).
- 2018 BMW X4 : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 4.1).
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2021 BMW X4 : 8 recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system and backup camera.
- 2020 BMW X4 : 10 recalls on file, most commonly affecting backup camera and electrical system.
- 2019 BMW X4 : 7 recalls on file, most commonly affecting backup camera and airbags.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | visibility/wipers |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 | airbags, electrical system |
| 2024 | 2 | 3 | steering, electrical system |
| 2023 | 3 | 7 | electrical system, powertrain |
| 2022 | 6 | 3 | electrical system, exterior lighting, equipment, powertrain |
| 2021 | 8 | 6 | electrical system, backup camera, fuel system, engine |
| 2020 | 10 | 15 | backup camera, electrical system, steering, seat belts |
| 2019 | 7 | 10 | backup camera, airbags, brakes, electrical system |
| 2018 | 1 | 11 | engine cooling |
| 2017 | 2 | 3 | child seat, engine cooling |
| 2016 | 2 | 10 | child seat, engine cooling |
| 2015 | 5 | not available | airbags, child seat, visibility/wipers, engine cooling |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for BMW X4 model year 2015 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a BMW X4?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2026, 2018 carried fewer recalls than this model's own average, while 2021, 2020, 2019 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which BMW X4 model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2021 BMW X4 has 8 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system, backup camera, fuel system; The 2020 BMW X4 has 10 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting backup camera, electrical system, steering; The 2019 BMW X4 has 7 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting backup camera, airbags, brakes. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03Which BMW X4 model years have the cleanest federal recall record?
The 2026 BMW X4 has 1 recall on file; The 2018 BMW X4 has 1 recall on file: below this model's own average of 4.1. A shorter list on file as of this page's data pull is not a guarantee against a future recall.
Q04What are common recall-related problems on the BMW X4 by model year?
2026: visibility/wipers. 2025: airbags, electrical system. 2024: steering, electrical system. 2023: electrical system, powertrain. 2022: electrical system, exterior lighting, equipment, powertrain. 2021: electrical system, backup camera, fuel system, engine.
Q05Why do some BMW X4 model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for BMW X4 model year 2015 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Buying, records and recalls, Climate and electrical, Engine and cooling, Brakes, tires and steering, Transmission and drivetrain.
2021 BMW X4 owners specifically: see Climate and electrical and Engine and cooling.
2020 BMW X4 owners specifically: see Climate and electrical and Brakes, tires and steering and Buying, records and recalls.
2019 BMW X4 owners specifically: see Climate and electrical and Buying, records and recalls and Brakes, tires and steering.
Compared with
Models this BMW X4 is most often compared with.
Nearest BMW models
Other BMW models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2025 X4 come in?
The 2025 BMW X4 (compact luxury coupe-SUV) comes in 4 trims: xDrive30i, M40i, X4 M, X4 M Competition.
Q02What are the 2025 X4 trims?
The 2025 BMW X4 trims are xDrive30i, M40i, X4 M, X4 M Competition, listed from the entry xDrive30i up to the top X4 M Competition.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2025 X4 use?
The 2025 BMW X4 is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, 3.0L turbo inline-six, or 3.0L turbo inline-six (X4 M), rated at 248 / 382 / 473 horsepower across its compact luxury coupe-SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2025 X4 have?
The 2025 BMW X4 is rated at 248 / 382 / 473 horsepower (2.0L turbo four-cylinder, 3.0L turbo inline-six, or 3.0L turbo inline-six (X4 M)).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2025 X4?
The 2025 BMW X4 is offered with Standard AWD.