Used Car Checklists

2024 BMW 4 Series: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the brakes and backup camera. The 8 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

BMW 4 Series2024
Owner complaints
17
Recalls
11
Crashes reported
5
2 injuries
Reliability
Good
66/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Run the VIN before you go

A history report shows accidents, title brands, odometer readings, and open recalls for this 2024 BMW 4 Series. Ask the seller for the VIN; it is also on the dash at the base of the windshield.

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.

Reported on neighboring 4 Series years

Nearby years usually share most parts, so their problems are worth checking on this car too.

2023 4 Series

43 owner complaints
  • Brakes 12
  • Stability control 5
  • Electrical 3

Worth adding to your 2024 checks

  • Run the VIN through a federal recall lookup and confirm every open brake-related recall repair has been completed.
  • Brake firmly from moderate speed several times and reject a car whose pedal sinks, goes stiff, or grabs and releases.
  • Watch the dash at startup and while driving for "Drive Carefully" brake messages or safety-system warnings.
Open the 2023 checklist

2022 4 Series

36 owner complaints
  • Electrical 10
  • Transmission 6
  • Airbags 4

Worth adding to your 2024 checks

  • Run the VIN for open recalls and ask a dealer whether remedy parts are actually in stock.
  • Start the car cold several times; walk away from slow or repeated cranking, burning smells, or smoke.
  • Drive at highway speed and watch for Drive Train Malfunction or Reduced Power messages or a shift to neutral.
Open the 2022 checklist

Which 4 Series is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2024 BMW 4 Series. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

VersionDriveEPA rating
2.0L 4-cylGasAWD, RWD27–28 mpg
3.0L 6-cylGasAWD, RWD18–19 mpg
3.0L 6-cylHybridAWD, RWD25–27 mpg
  • The 2024 BMW 4 Series was sold in three versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
  • On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
  • Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A 4 Series that averages well under the EPA 18 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2024 BMW 4 Series, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

  • Brakes41 crash

    Brakes fail to stop the car at parking speed. In the one crash report, the car rolled into a garage door. Other reports describe repeated brake system failures on a nearly new car that several dealer visits did not fix, and stops that take longer than they should. Two of the 4 complaints are mostly about waiting months for a brake recall repair that dealers say they are not yet authorized to perform. Both of those reports name the 760i, so they may not describe the 4 Series.

  • Backup camera2No crashes

    Parking and rear cross-traffic alerts stay silent when they should warn. Reports describe no audible warning for cars, objects, or pedestrians behind or beside the car in reverse, and no front warning when pulling toward obstacles. In one report, cross-traffic alerts triggered only for vehicles moving faster than 7 mph and came about 2 seconds before impact. The dealer called this normal operation. No crashes are reported, but the weak alerts raise collision risk when backing out. One report names the M340i.

In owners' own words

Excerpts from complaints 4 Series owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.

Brakes
Multiple Brake system failures rendering the vehicle unsafe and undriveable. Been in the dealer 3 times and not resolved. Qualifies as a Lemon vehicle. Car is not safe for my family and others on the road. Car was from BMW Sterling in Virginia. 100 miles on the clock - new vehicle lease.

Filed with NHTSA, October 2024

BrakesCrash reported
Yesterday 4pm try to park my car at infront of grage door i have been slow down with touch break pedal. But this car won't stop at all so this car hit home grage door and and side stone decorations.

Filed with NHTSA, November 2025

Backup camera
Since the purchase of my vehicle, 07/01/2024: When in reverse vehicle does not issue audible warning alerts for other vehicles, objects or pedestrians crossing or approaching behind or from the side. Additionally, no audible warning alerts in the front as the vehicle approaches objects such as trees, vehicles parked in space opposite or persons darting in front of the car.

Filed with NHTSA, July 2024

How the 2024 compares with other 4 Series years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2024 ranks seventh for owner complaints among 8 4 Series years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2024 Average of other years
  • Brakes44
  • Backup camera21

Recalls to confirm (11)

Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

  1. 26V096000ElectricalFeb 2026

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 M5 Sportswagon, 2025-2026 M5, 2024-2025 750e xDrive, 2025-2026 550e xDrive, 2023-2025 I7, 2023-2025 7 Series, 2024-2026 i5, and 5 Series vehicles. The electrical wiring harness for the air conditioning system may become damaged during replacement of the cabin air filter.

    Risk: A damaged wiring harness can short-circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the air conditioning system’s electrical wiring harness and add a retaining strap/bracket to the harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 13, 2026.

  2. 26V056000ElectricalJan 2026

    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 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.

    Risk: Fire increases the risk of injury.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.

  3. 25V644000ElectricalSep 2025

    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.

  4. 24V739000Stability controlOct 2024

    BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, X5, X6, X7, XM, 530i, i5, 740i, 760i, i7, and 750e vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.

    Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed November 22, 2024. Second letters will be mailed once the parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicles in this recall were previously repaired under recall number 24V-104 and will need to have the new remedy completed.

  5. 24V711000Body and structureSep 2024

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 228i, 228i xDrive, and 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4 vehicles. The bolts that connect the front body structure to the vehicle chassis may not have been tightened properly.

    Risk: A loose front body structure may not adequately protect occupants in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, tighten the front structure bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417.

  6. 24V714000SteeringSep 2024

    BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2024-2025 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive, 2024-2025 i5 eDrive40, i5 M60 xDrive, 2025 i5 xDrive40, 2024 740i xDrive, 760i xDrive, 750e xDrive, i7 eDrive50, i7 xDrive60, and i7 M70 xDrive vehicles. The steering spindle may break requiring a greater steering effort to control the vehicle.

    Risk: A sudden increase in required steering effort increases the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the steering spindle's double universal joint, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 22, 2024. Owners may contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417.

  7. 24V697000Stability controlSep 2024

    BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles. Please refer to the recall report for the complete list of models. The welds in the servomotor of the integrated brake control module may break, causing a loss of power brake assist and rear brake function. In addition, the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system may not function.

    Risk: A loss of brake power assist or rear brake function can result in extended stopping distance. A loss of ABS or DSC can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2024. Owners can contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417.

  8. 24V104000Stability controlFeb 2024

    BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.

    Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between June and December 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877-3735.

  9. 23V863000EngineDec 2023

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 BMW 430i convertible vehicles. The cylinder head cover may develop cracks, resulting in oil leaking into engine compartment.

    Risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as a hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the cylinder head cover as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 14, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  10. 23V770000SteeringNov 2023

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 2 Series Coupe (230i), 330i, X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i vehicles. The steering gear may not have been tightened properly, which can allow it to loosen.

    Risk: A loose steering gear can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 11, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  11. 23V700000ElectricalOct 2023

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 740i, 740i xDrive, 760i xDrive, i7 eDrive50, i7 xDrive60, i7 M70, 2024 750e xDrive, 530i, 530i xDrive, i5 eDrive40, and i5 M60 vehicles. The ground connection to the steering wheel may not have been attached correctly, resulting in an inoperative hands-on detection system.

    Risk: An inoperative hands-on detection system may fail to detect when the driver's hands are not on the steering wheel and therefore not engage the emergency stopping assistant system, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and reattach the ground connection as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Also looking at these instead of a 4 Series?

Cars shoppers compare with the BMW 4 Series, with their own 2024 checklists.