BMW M340i Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank BMW M340i model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (11) and the 2020 the most (53).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 7 | 1 | Steering | — | 26 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
11 | 6 | Engine | — | 26 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
53 | 10 | Engine | — | 25 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the BMW M340i years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2020 BMW M340i: 53 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 38 (72%); Electrical system 6 (11%); Engine and engine cooling 4 (8%).
10 recall campaigns listed.
2021 BMW M340i: 11 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 7 (64%); Power train 3 (27%); Electrical system 2 (18%).
6 recall campaigns listed.
The BMW M340i years with the fewest complaints
2021 BMW M340i: 11 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 7 (64%); Power train 3 (27%); Electrical system 2 (18%).
6 recall campaigns listed.
2020 BMW M340i: 53 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 38 (72%); Electrical system 6 (11%); Engine and engine cooling 4 (8%).
10 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in BMW M340i owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 53 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest BMW M340i recalls
- No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111 (2019–2020 model years; 257,473 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2019; 19V684000)
- Starter Motor May Fail and Overheat (2020 model year; 105,588 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2024; 24V576000)
- Loss of Braking Assist (2020 model year; 50,024 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2021; 21V598000)
- Passenger Seat Belt Malfunction/FMVSS 208 (2021 model year; 21,537 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2021; 21V554000)
- Rearview Camera Image Malfunction/FMVSS 111 (2019–2021 model years; 13,858 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2021; 21V096000)
All 14 BMW M340i recall campaigns · BMW M340i problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
BMW M340i years FAQ
Which BMW M340i year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (11). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there BMW M340i years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2020 and 2021 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common BMW M340i problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (46 of 71 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the BMW M340i have?
NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns covering the BMW M340i. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the BMW M340i recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.