EN ES

BMW 4 Series VIN Number Check

Decode a BMW 4 Series VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefixWBA

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

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
BMW 4 Series

About the BMW 4 Series

BMW has sold the 4 Series in the US since the 2014 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 26 vehicle recall campaigns and 367 owner complaints. The 2015 has the most complaints of any model year (94). 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 classCompact Cars
NHTSA recall campaigns26
Owner complaints367 at NHTSA
BMW 4 Series photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

BMW 4 Series at a glance

One generation in the data, 2014–2026: 26 NHTSA recall campaigns and 367 owner complaints.

1 / 1
4 Series
2014–2026Compact Cars
BMW 4 Series (2014–2026)

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

201420202025
2014–2026

BMW 4 Series

EPA classCompact Cars
EPA combined mpg21–31
NHTSA recalls26

Engines (EPA)

  • 2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2014–2024
  • 3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo) · 2014–2020
  • 3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2021–2024, 2026
  • 2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2025–2026
  • 3.0 L 4-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2025

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, RWD
  • manual (2014–2020), automatic (2014–2026)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (158)Electrical system (116)Fuel system (36)9 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 367 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · 4 SeriesWBA3N7C5?FK······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2015 BMW 428i, built in Munich, Germany
Check a 4 Series VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which 4 Series model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 26 campaigns on file for 4 Series model years 2014–2026, and the 2021 shows up in more of them than any other year (7), ahead of the 2014 (6). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2021
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 4 Series owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2015 and 2014 hold 163 of the 367 complaints, or 44%. Tap any bar or generation.

367NHTSA complaints, 2014–2026
36mention a crash
9mention a fire
31injuries reported
Owner complaints by model year4 Series: 367 complaints · most for the 2015 (94)

Top complaint areas · 4 Series

Mentions in 367 complaints, 2014–2026.

Engine and cooling158
Electrical system116
Fuel system36
Air bags28
Brakes26
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)25
Crashes 36Fires 9Injuries 31

2014–2026

NHTSA data summary

The 2015 is the outlier. On its own it has 94 of the ’s 367 complaints (26%), more than any other 4 Series model year, and owners across the generation name engine and cooling most often (158 mentions), then electrical system (116).

What 4 Series owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2014–2020 (1st generation, F32)

Complaint counts are modest and CarComplaints has few reports for this generation, so the data is thin. The 2015 draws the most NHTSA complaints, and about half of owners of the 2015 428i describe electric coolant pump failures that bring coolant warnings, keep the pump running after shutdown or leave the car unable to start. CarComplaints lists an ABS warning, a failed water pump and a leaking oil filter housing for the 2018 430i. Recalls cover coolant pumps on 2014–2016 428i models, which may short and start a fire, fuel pumps on 2014–2015 models and side curtain air bags on some 2014–2015 models. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup and confirm the coolant pump recall on 2014 to 2016 428i models was completed.
  • Ask for water pump and oil filter housing repair records.
  • Check for oil leaks around the engine.
  • After shutting the car off, listen for a pump that keeps running, and on the drive watch for coolant or ABS warnings.
Sources (3) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2015 BMW 428i
  2. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2014 BMW 428i
  3. CarComplaints.com, 2018 BMW 430i problems

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

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

4 Series complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid 4 Series versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

367complaints, 2014–2026
36mention a crash
9mention a fire
31injuries reported
Most complaints: 2015 (94), 2014 (69), 2016 (56)
69’1494’1556’16’20’25

2015 · 94 complaints

Crashes 12 · fires 4 · injuries 10

Electrical system38
Engine and engine cooling26
Unknown or other15
Engine14
Air bags9

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

EPA fuel economy & emissions

4 Series CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 163 4 Series versions for model years 2014–2026 (gas and hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 285 g/mi, for the 2026 hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

4 Series2014–2026

21–31 mpg · CO₂ 285–413 g/mi

2025
31combined MPG
285CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,650EPA yearly fuel cost
7/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
Federal Tier 3 Bin 20 · OtherEmission standard
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
2503003504004502015202020252014 · Gas: 3272015 · Gas: 3272016 · Gas: 3302017 · Gas: 3242018 · Gas: 3242019 · Gas: 3242020 · Gas: 3272021 · Gas: 3042022 · Gas: 3122023 · Gas: 3132024 · Gas: 3122021 · Hybrid: 3382022 · Hybrid: 3122023 · Hybrid: 3252024 · Hybrid: 3292025 · Hybrid: 2852026 · Hybrid: 285
GasHybrid

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

4 Series vs Lexus RC vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2014–2026. NHTSA lists 26 recall campaigns for the 4 Series, against 5 for the Lexus RC and 63 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Pick a range to compare.

BMW 4 Series

Model years 2014–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
26
NHTSA owner complaints
367
EPA combined mpg
21–31
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0, 3.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L
Also listed
turbo, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 158
  2. Electrical system 116
  3. Fuel system 36

Lexus RC

Model years 2014–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
5
NHTSA owner complaints
49
EPA combined mpg
19–26
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.5 L · 8-cyl 5.0 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Fuel system 16
  2. Seats 7
  3. Brakes 6

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Model years 2014–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
63
NHTSA owner complaints
1,652
EPA combined mpg
15–30
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.8, 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0, 3.5 L · 8-cyl 4.0, 6.2 L
Also listed
turbo, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 425
  2. Fuel system 225
  3. Air bags 224

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 4 Series VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a 4 Series

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

Red BMW 4 Series (G22/G82) coupe, 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

The 4 Series carries its VIN on a plate at the base of the driver's side windshield and on a door jamb sticker. The firewall inside the engine compartment and a trunk lid label supplement the standard locations. Check that the firewall stamp matches the dashboard plate.

  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 4 Series VIN questions

Which BMW 4 Series model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2015 leads with 94, ahead of the 2014 (69) and 2016 (56). Those first two alone make up 44% of the 367 4 Series complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the BMW 4 Series had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 26 vehicle campaigns for model years 2014–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which BMW 4 Series recalls are high risk?

24V-527 and 18V-533 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 24V-608, 20V-761, 25V-636, 26V-056, 23V-863, 25V-202 and 25V-643. Park-outside advisories came with 25V-636. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the BMW 4 Series get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2014–2026 4 Series at 21–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the BMW 4 Series compare with the Lexus RC and Mercedes-Benz C-Class on recalls?

For 2014–2026 models the 4 Series has 26 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Lexus RC has 5, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 63. Complaints run 367, 49 and 1,652 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

Other BMW models

Check another BMW model

3 Series5 SeriesX3X57 SeriesX1
Related reading

Guides & alerts for used car buyers