BMW controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
2026
BMW pulls out of company car arrangement for German far right
According to a Bloomberg report, BMW pulled out of a company car arrangement for Germany's far right. Following BMW's withdrawal, the far-right party turned to Musk to obtain a company car instead. The report did not specify further details about the arrangement or the reasons behind BMW's decision.
Per a Bloomberg report, BMW pulled out of the company car arrangement for Germany's far right, after which the far-right party tapped Musk for a company car instead.
Source excerpt
German Far Right Taps Musk for Company Car After BMW Pulls Out
2026
BMW recalls 27,720 vehicles over driveshaft flaw
Recall announced
BMW planned to recall 27,720 vehicles across its 5 Series, 7 Series and 8 Series model lines because excessive wear at the connection between the driveshaft and rear differential could cause a loss of power to the rear wheels and increase the risk of a crash or rollaway if the parking brake is not applied. The recall was filed with NHTSA. BMW said it had received no reports of accidents or injuries, planned to notify owners by Oct. 2, and dealers would apply an adhesive or replace the driveshaft and rear differential for free.
BMW plans to recall 27,720 vehicles across its 5 Series, 7 Series and 8 Series model lines because excessive wear at the connection between the driveshaft and rear differential could cause a loss of power to the rear wheels and increase the risk of a crash or rollaway if the parking brake is not applied. The recall was filed with NHTSA; BMW said it has received no reports of accidents or injuries, plans to notify owners by Oct. 2, and dealers will apply an adhesive or replace the driveshaft and rear differential for free.
Company response
Recall — BMW
BMW plans to recall 27,720 cars across three model lines over a driveshaft issue that could result in the vehicle rolling away.
Source excerpt
The recall impacts vehicles in the luxury car manufacturer's 5 Series, 7 Series, and 8 Series, according to filings made with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The recall stems from the connection between the driveshaft and the rear differential, which may experience excessive wear over time.
BMW plans to recall 27,720 cars across three model lines over a driveshaft issue that could result in the vehicle rolling away.
2026
BMW recalls 5, 7 and 8 Series vehicles in Canada and the U.S. over drivetrain roll-away risk
Recall announced
BMW is recalling 826 gasoline-powered 5 Series (2021-2023), 8 Series coupe and Gran Coupe (2022-2024), and plug-in-hybrid 7 Series (2024-2026) vehicles in Canada, plus another 27,720 vehicles in the U.S., because the joint where the driveshaft bolts to the rear differential could wear out faster than expected, potentially causing loss of power to the wheels or the vehicle moving when parked without the parking brake. BMW urges owners to use the parking brake and says the fix requires dealership inspection and reinforcement of the joint with adhesive or replacement of affected parts. BMW says it has received no reports of incidents or injury in the U.S. Transport Canada's recall reference number is 2026-391 and BMW's internal code is 26 80 26RC.
Company response
Recall — BMW
BMW is recalling more than 800 newer sedans in Canada over the risk that a drivetrain issue could lead to the cars losing propulsion while driving, and rolling away when parked.
Remediation — BMW
The fix requires an inspection of the components at the dealership, followed by a reinforcement of the joint using an adhesive, or, if necessary, replacement of the affected parts.
Source excerpt
BMW is recalling more than 800 newer sedans in Canada over the risk that a drivetrain issue could lead to the cars losing propulsion while driving, and rolling away when parked.
Specifically the safety campaign covers 826 examples of the gasoline-powered BMW 5 Series from model years 2021 through 2023; the BMW 8 Series coupe and Gran Coupe from 2022 to 2024; and the plug-in-hybrid BMW 7 Series from 2024 through 2026. Another 27,720 vehicles are being recalled in the U.S. for the same issue.
On some of these affected models, the joint where the driveshaft bolts to the rear differential could wear out faster than expected, reports Transport Canada.
2024
MINI components linked to sanctioned supplier
A U.S. Senate Finance Committee report alleged that some MINI vehicles imported into the United States contained components associated with a Chinese supplier linked to forced-labor concerns and U.S. sanctions. BMW said it stopped affected shipments and isolated or destroyed impacted inventory.
2024
Diesel-emissions control compliance disputes
BMW disclosed regulatory disputes concerning emissions-control functions in certain diesel X3 vehicles produced from 2010 to 2014, together with a German proceeding related to exhaust-gas-recirculation modules.
2024
Historical forced-labor legacy during the Nazi era
BMW’s wartime aircraft-engine production relied extensively on forced labor, including concentration-camp prisoners. The company’s wartime history remains a major subject of historical research and corporate remembrance.
2019
Australian watchdog warns owners of vehicles with critical Takata airbags not to drive
Hazard disclosure
In December 2019, Australia's consumer watchdog warned owners of 20,000 vehicles with previously recalled, unreplaced Takata airbags to stop driving immediately because the airbags could cause serious injury or death. The warning identified affected vehicles from BMW, GM Holden, Honda, Mitsubishi and Toyota. The notice applied to vehicles whose recalled airbags had not yet been replaced, and it urged owners to take immediate action in response to the safety risk.
Source excerpt
Australia's consumer watchdog is warning the owners of 20,000 vehicles to immediately stop driving their car because the airbags have a potentially deadly flaw.
The new warning affects BMW, GM Holden, Honda, Mitsubishi and Toyota vehicles that have already been recalled for having defective Takata airbags, but which have not had them replaced.
The airbags are now classified as being "critical", meaning that if they are activated during a crash they could cause serious injuries or death to the driver.
2019
ACCC classifies affected Takata airbag vehicles as critical
Hazard disclosure
In 2019, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission classified the recall of 20,000 vehicles fitted with faulty Takata airbags as "critical." The commission urged motorists not to drive affected cars until the airbags were replaced. The classification and warning were reported in connection with the Takata airbag recall.
Source excerpt
The consumer watchdog has warned that the recall of 20,000 vehicles fitted with faulty Takata airbags is now classified as “critical”.
The vehicles from major carmakers, including BMW, Holden, Honda, Mitsubishi and Toyota, have already been recalled, but the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is warning motorists not to drive the affected cars at all until the airbags have been replaced.
A Takata airbag misdeployment can result in death or serious injury, even in a minor collision,” the ACCC deputy chair, Delia Rickard, said.
2019
BMW recalls imported i3 electric vehicles
Recall announced
BMW (China) filed a recall plan for 45 imported i3 electric vehicles manufactured between January 9 and February 21, 2019. According to the filing, insufficient galvanizing on a circuit board could cause the motor control unit to fail, potentially cutting high-voltage power and drive force. BMW stated that it would replace the affected units free of charge.
Stated objective. 消除安全隐患
Source excerpt
自2019年10月25日起，召回2019年1月9日至2019年2月21日期间生产的部分进口宝马i3纯电动汽车，共计45辆。
本次召回范围内的车辆因驱动电机控制单元的电路板镀锌不充分，可能导致电机控制单元失灵，造成车辆在行驶过程中高压电源关闭和失去驱动力，增加发生事故的风险，存在安全隐患。
23日，国家市场监督管理总局缺陷产品管理中心发布三则召回公告
2019
BMW recalls 67 vehicles in China
Recall announced
BMW China Automotive Trading Co., Ltd. and BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. filed a recall plan covering 67 imported BMW 730Li and Z4 vehicles and locally made BMW 325i and 325Li vehicles. The vehicles may have an engine balance-shaft bearing defect that could lead to engine damage and, in the worst case, engine shutdown while driving. The companies said they would replace the affected vehicles' engines free of charge.
Stated objective. 消除安全隐患
Company response
Remediation — 宝马（中国）汽车贸易有限公司、华晨宝马汽车有限公司
宝马（中国）汽车贸易有限公司、华晨宝马汽车有限公司将为召回范围内的车辆免费更换发动机，以消除安全隐患。
Source excerpt
宝马（中国）汽车贸易有限公司、华晨宝马汽车有限公司向国家市场监督管理总局备案了召回计划，自2019年12月16日起召回以下车辆，共计67辆。
本次召回范围内车辆发动机平衡轴的滚针轴承外环可能未正确压入发动机曲轴箱，轴承外环可能在发动机运行过程中从曲轴箱脱出。这可能导致平衡轴松动并同曲轴接触、干涉，并导致发动机曲轴和/或缸体损坏，如果发动机严重损坏，可能造成发动机机油泄漏。在最坏的情况下，不能排除车辆行驶过程中发动机熄火，会降低车辆操控性，存在安全隐患。
宝马（中国）汽车贸易有限公司、华晨宝马汽车有限公司将为召回范围内的车辆免费更换发动机，以消除安全隐患。
2019
BMW Australia recalls E46 3 Series cars over airbag risk
Recall announced
BMW in Australia began a voluntary recall of E46 3 Series cars produced between November 1997 and June 2000 after safety authorities identified abnormal airbag deployments. The ACCC said an inflator could rupture in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin, creating a risk of death or serious injury.
Company response
Remediation — BMW
BMW will arrange to tow your vehicle to repair facilities for inspection, or send a mobile technician out to your premises or vehicle’s location to inspect the vehicle
Source excerpt
BMW in Australia on Thursday began a voluntary recall of its E46 3 Series cars produced between November 1997 and June 2000.
If a vehicle with an affected airbag crashes, the airbag inflator could rupture, causing sharp metal fragments to enter the vehicle cabin at high speed, the ACCC says.
2019
BMW Australia recalls E46 3 Series cars over Takata airbags
Recall announced
BMW in Australia began a voluntary recall of E46 3 Series cars produced between November 1997 and June 2000 after safety authorities identified a Takata airbag that could pose a critical risk of death or serious injury. The inflator could rupture in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin. BMW offered inspection and transportation assistance to owners.
Company response
Remediation — BMW
BMW will arrange to tow your vehicle to repair facilities for inspection, or send a mobile technician out to your premises or vehicle's location to inspect the vehicle
Source excerpt
BMW in Australia on Thursday began a voluntary recall of its E46 3 Series cars produced between November 1997 and June 2000.
Some 12,000 BMW vehicles are being urgently recalled after transport safety authorities identified another Takata airbag which poses a critical risk of death or serious injury, the competition watchdog says.
If a vehicle with an affected airbag crashes, the airbag inflator could rupture, causing sharp metal fragments to enter the vehicle cabin at high speed, the ACCC says.
2019
BMW Australia warns E46 3 Series owners about potentially dangerous Takata airbags
Hazard disclosure
BMW Australia warned drivers of E46-generation 3 Series models manufactured between 1997 and 2000 to stop driving the cars because their Takata airbags could deploy accidentally and eject metal fragments. BMW directed affected owners to arrange a free vehicle inspection and said it would replace defective airbags or components at no charge if faults were found.
Company response
Remediation — BMW Australia
If faults are found (including those who are probable to happen based on thorough technical assumptions), BMW Australia will take care of the car and have the defective airbag/component replaced at no charge.
Source excerpt
BMW Australia issued a severe warning to customers currently driving E46 models manufactured between 1997 and 2000 with Takata airbags
Specifically, drivers are instructed to stop driving the car as there are multiple clues that the airbags could deploy accidentally and throw out metal shrapnels and debris which could result in life-threatening injuries or even death.
If faults are found (including those who are probable to happen based on thorough technical assumptions), BMW Australia will take care of the car and have the defective airbag/component replaced at no charge.
2019
BMW recalls 32,760 X6 SUVs over rear-seat child-seat anchor bars
Recall announced
BMW of North America is recalling 32,760 BMW X6 SUVs from the 2015 to 2019 model years because the lower rear-seat anchor bars used to secure a child car seat may become damaged. With ISOFIX-type rigid connectors, the damage may increase a child's risk of injury in a crash. BMW stated that it was unaware of any related U.S. accidents or injuries.
Company response
Remediation — BMW
If it's determined that the anchors are loose, BMW technicians will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle at no cost to the owner.
Source excerpt
BMW of North America is recalling 32,760 vehicles from its 2015 to 2019 model years because the lower rear-seat anchor bars at the seat crease used to secure a child car seat may become damaged.
If the car seat is attached with ISOFIX-type rigid connectors, the damage may increase a child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners by mail beginning Jan. 17, 2020, and dealers will inspect the anchors.
2019
Takata airbag malfunction prompts recall of additional vehicles
Recall announced
A separate Takata airbag malfunction prompted a recall involving an additional 1.4 million vehicles. The article reports that a driver in Australia died as a result of the faulty airbags and another driver in Cyprus was injured.
Source excerpt
Another, separate malfunction of Takata airbags is prompting the recall of an additional 1.4 million vehicles.
The recall also includes vehicles built by Audi, Honda, Toyota and Mitsubishi.
2019
BMW sues Valeo and Denso over alleged price fixing
Lawsuit filed
BMW sued suppliers Valeo and Denso over price fixing on air-conditioning components. The article reports that the case relates to a 2017 European Commission decision that fined several car-part makers, including Valeo and Denso, for operating cartels.
Source excerpt
BERLIN (Reuters) - BMW <BMWG.DE> is suing two of its suppliers over price fixing on air conditioning components, the German carmaker said on Wednesday.
The case was first reported in the Handelsblatt newspaper, which said that BMW was suing France's Valeo and Japan's Denso for damages of 141 million euros ($155.4 million).
The case relates to a decision in 2017 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-antitrust-autos/eu-fines-six-car-cooling-system-suppliers-155-million-euros-idUSKBN16F173 by the European Union's competition authority to fine several car part makers - including Valeo and Denso - a total of 155 million euros for having operated cartels in a number of their markets.