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BMW 2 Series VIN Number Check

Enter a BMW 2 Series VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.

VIN prefixWBA3MW

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

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BMW 2 Series

About the BMW 2 Series

BMW has sold the 2 Series in the US since the 2014 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 20 vehicle recall campaigns and 125 owner complaints. The 2016 has the most complaints of any model year (26). EPA rates it at 21–31 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2014–2026
EPA classSubcompact Cars
NHTSA recall campaigns20
Owner complaints125 at NHTSA
BMW 2 Series photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

BMW 2 Series at a glance

One generation in the data, 2014–2026: 20 NHTSA recall campaigns and 125 owner complaints.

1 / 1
2 Series
2014–2026Subcompact Cars
BMW 2 Series (2014–2026)

Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

201420202025
2014–2026

BMW 2 Series

EPA classSubcompact Cars
EPA combined mpg21–31
NHTSA recalls20

Engines (EPA)

  • 2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2014–2026
  • 3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo) · 2014–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, FWD, RWD
  • manual (2014–2021), automatic (2014–2026), automated manual/dual-clutch (2025–2026)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (39)Engine and cooling (32)Exterior lighting (14)4 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 125 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · 2 SeriesWBA1F9C5?GV······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2016 BMW 228i, built in Leipzig, Germany
Check a 2 Series VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which 2 Series model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 20 campaigns on file for 2 Series model years 2014–2026; no single year stands out (4 at most). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2023
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What BMW 2 Series owners report

NHTSA data

Between them, the 2016 and 2015 hold 48 of the 125 complaints, or 38%. Tap any bar or generation.

125NHTSA complaints, 2014–2026
4mention a crash
5mention a fire
7injuries reported
Owner complaints by model year2 Series: 125 complaints · most for the 2016 (26)

Top complaint areas · 2 Series

Mentions in 125 complaints, 2014–2026.

Electrical system39
Engine and cooling32
Exterior lighting14
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)11
Fuel system9
Air bags9
Crashes 4Fires 5Injuries 7

2014–2026

NHTSA data summary

The 2016 is the outlier. On its own it has 26 of the ’s 125 complaints (21%), more than any other 2 Series model year, and owners across the generation name electrical system most often (39 mentions), then engine and cooling (32).

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner complaints · by model year

2 Series complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every 2 Series version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

125complaints, 2014–2026
4mention a crash
5mention a fire
7injuries reported
Most complaints: 2016 (26), 2015 (22), 2017 (14)
22’1526’1614’17’20’25

2016 · 26 complaints

Crashes 0 · fires 1 · injuries 0

Electrical system13
Engine and engine cooling9
Exterior lighting3
Seat belts3
Service brakes3

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

2 Series CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 123 2 Series versions for model years 2014–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 279 g/mi (2026). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

2 Series2014–2026

21–31 mpg · CO₂ 279–413 g/mi

2025
30combined MPG
288CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,750EPA yearly fuel cost
7/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-IV SULEV20 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 20Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: 228 xDrive Gran Coupe · Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo — 30 MPG · 288 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
2503003504004502015202020252014 · Gas: 3242015 · Gas: 3232016 · Gas: 3302017 · Gas: 3182018 · Gas: 3182019 · Gas: 3182020 · Gas: 3242021 · Gas: 3192022 · Gas: 3002023 · Gas: 3002024 · Gas: 2962025 · Gas: 2882026 · Gas: 279
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

2 Series vs Audi A3 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2014–2026. NHTSA lists 20 recall campaigns for the 2 Series, against 23 for the Audi A3 and 32 for the Mercedes-Benz CLA. Pick a range to compare.

BMW 2 Series

Model years 2014–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
20
NHTSA owner complaints
125
EPA combined mpg
21–31
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 39
  2. Engine and cooling 32
  3. Exterior lighting 14

Audi A3

Model years 2014–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
23
NHTSA owner complaints
471
EPA combined mpg
25–39
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.4, 1.8, 2.0 L
Also listed
turbo, diesel, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Air bags 209
  2. Fuel system 94
  3. Electrical system 78

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Model years 2014–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
32
NHTSA owner complaints
470
EPA combined mpg
23–30
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · Electric
Also listed
turbo, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 124
  2. Electrical system 94
  3. Air bags 54

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

BMW 2 Series VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a 2 Series

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Dark grey BMW 2 Series (F44 Gran Coupe) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Locate the 2 Series VIN on the dashboard plate at the lower driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker and an engine bay stamp are the primary secondary locations. On the F22 generation (2014-2021), a trunk lid label is also present.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common BMW 2 Series VIN questions

Which BMW 2 Series model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2016 leads with 26, ahead of the 2015 (22) and 2017 (14). Those first two alone make up 38% of the 125 2 Series complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the BMW 2 Series had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 20 vehicle campaigns for model years 2014–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which BMW 2 Series recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 24V-608, 22V-513, 25V-636 and 26V-056. Park-outside advisories came with 25V-636. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the BMW 2 Series get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2014–2026 2 Series at 21–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the BMW 2 Series compare with the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA on recalls?

For 2014–2026 models the 2 Series has 20 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Audi A3 has 23, the Mercedes-Benz CLA 32. Complaints run 125, 471 and 470 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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