Generation-specific owner insights from 180+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2014–2018 X4?60
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2014–2018
10
recall campaigns
electrical system
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for the F26 X4 is mixed and heavily split between the four-cylinder 28i and the six-cylinder M40i.
10 problems reported (1 recurrent, 9 isolated) · high confidence
Though owners note the known timing chain issue applies to 2012-2015 production.
The 2018 X4 M40i with the N55 and ZF 8-speed is the clear owner favorite, praised for sound, power, and reliability of the final N55 iteration. One owner notes the M40i was a Canada-only spec in this generation with slightly more output than the 35i. The 28i is treated as the budget choice with more caveats.
Owners compare it most often with the BMW X3 M40i, Porsche Macan S, Audi SQ5, Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 and Mercedes GLC Coupe.
Is a 2014–2018 X4 right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Owner sentiment for the F26 X4 is mixed and heavily split between the four-cylinder 28i and the six-cylinder M40i. Owners who chose the M40i are overwhelmingly enthusiastic, praising its sound, power delivery, and daily-driver balance, with one calling it "the best daily driver I could imagine." The 28i draws more caution: owners describe the N20 as merely adequate and thirsty, and one advises it is "not as reliable as the B48s." A recurring theme is that the X4's coupe styling is polarizing: some owners love it and report strangers commenting on it, while others in the same discussions call it ugly and question who it is marketed for. Early cars (2014-2016) generated the most reliability complaints, including a delivery-day breakdown, while later 2017-2018 M40i cars are generally discussed more favorably.
Owners consistently position the X4 as the style-first alternative to the X3, noting it is the same platform and engine with a coupe roofline and less cargo space. Against the Macan S, owners say the Porsche drives best but costs more for less space and equipment, with one calling the Macan's interior space "a joke." The SQ5 is described as a comfortable middle ground but less fun, and the X3 M40i is repeatedly recommended over the X4 for practicality and looks, though X4 defenders say it handles surprisingly well and looks sportier. Several owners note the X4 M40i's N55 makes it an oddity versus the B58-powered X3 M40i.
Owners recommend the M40i over the 28i for performance and sound, and the 35i is noted as the pre-2016 six-cylinder alternative. For the 28i, owners suggest 2016-and-later N20 cars over earlier ones. One owner advises buyers seeking reliability to look for the B58 engine instead, which means stepping outside this generation.
This generation suits buyers who want coupe styling, a sporty daily driver, and don't need maximum cargo space or rear visibility. Owners suggest favoring 2017-2018 M40i examples and being cautious with early 2014-2016 cars. Inspection advice from owners includes checking for water pump failure around 75k miles, valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets, and confirming the battery is registered if replaced. One owner notes 60k-100k miles is when gaskets, belts, and parts begin to wear.
Owners repeatedly note the X4 is functionally a coupe-styled X3 with less trunk space, and that X3 M40i parts generally fit the X4 M40i. Android Auto is not available on this generation; owners state iDrive 7 is required and iDrive 6 cannot be upgraded to it. Several owners mention the M40i badge and naming confuse buyers because the F26 M40i uses the N55 rather than the B58 found in later M40i models. Analysis based on approximately 180 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 11 | 1 | electrical system |
| 2017 | 3 | 2 | electrical system |
| 2016 | 10 | 2 | electrical system |
| 2015 | 36 | 5 | electrical system |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2018 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pumpcampaign 24V608000
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
2017 · child seat:latch strapcampaign 16V333000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
2017 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pumpcampaign 24V608000
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
2016 · child seat:latch strapcampaign 16V333000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
2016 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pumpcampaign 24V608000
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
2015 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 16V683000
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 BMW X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, X3 xDrive28d, X4 xDrive28i and X4 xDrive35i vehicles, and model year 2014-2015 X5 xDrive35i, X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, and 2014 X5 xDrive35d vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver's frontal air bag inflator that may have been improperly welded.
2015 · child seat:latch strapcampaign 16V333000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
2015 · visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exteriorcampaign 14V648000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 X3 and X4 Sports Activity Vehicles manufactured July 28, 2014 to July 29, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been produced with a driver's side exterior rearview mirror that was designed to meet non-US market requirements. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
2015 · air bags:frontalcampaign 23V797000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive35i, and 2015 X4 xDrive35i vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
2015 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pumpcampaign 24V608000
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.