BMW X4 G02 (2018–2025)
Generation-specific owner insights from 118+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
61
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2018–2025
34
recall campaigns
electrical system
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the 2018-2025 G02 X4 are a self-selected group who generally love the car and accept the criticism it attracts.
9 problems reported (2 recurrent, 7 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- RecurrentCargo space limited by the sloping roof, with the hatch unable to close over larger loads
- RecurrentHarsh ride quality, particularly on M and M Performance variants
- IsolatedWater pump failure around 75k miles, causing overheating with no warning and requiring a tow
+ 6 more issuesShow fewer
- IsolatedValve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket leaks
- IsolatedOil pan gasket failure
- IsolatedPCV failure
- IsolatedSteering wheel vibration/shaking that the dealer could not diagnose
With lane departure warning identified as the likely cause in other cases.
- IsolatedHigh-pitched belt-like squeak on cold start after rain that faded while driving
- IsolatedRoad salt staining and stiffening of carpets
The version owners recommend
The M40i with the B58 inline-six is the clear consensus choice. Owners repeatedly steer buyers away from the N55-powered 2018 X4 M40i toward B58 cars, and the 2022 X4 M40i specifically draws strong praise from multiple owners as a daily driver. The X4 M Competition is mentioned favorably by its owners but with far less discussion.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the BMW X3 M40i, BMW X3 M, BMW X5, BMW X6 and BMW M340i.
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Overall sentiment
Owners of the 2018-2025 G02 X4 are a self-selected group who generally love the car and accept the criticism it attracts. The most consistent praise centers on the M40i's B58 engine, which owners repeatedly call fantastic, reliable, and tuneable, along with the ZF 8-speed transmission described as bulletproof. The most consistent criticism is the styling and the sloping roofline, which owners and non-owners alike call polarizing and which several owners say costs real cargo space. A recurring theme is that the X4 is a compromise car: sportier-looking than an X3, more practical than a coupe, and bought by people who want both. Later model years (2022+) draw praise for the LCI's looks and the standard digital cockpit, while early cars (2018-2019) are discussed mainly as used bargains with the N55 engine.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position the X4 M40i as the performance and value pick against the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, citing the B58 as more tuneable, more reliable, and better sounding, while conceding the Mercedes wins on interior and exterior aesthetics. Against the Porsche Macan S, owners say the Macan handles well but is smaller inside and far more expensive to maintain, and that a loaded performance Macan cannot be had near X4 money. Against the Audi SQ5, owners generally favor the X4 M40i. Internally, the biggest rivalry is with the X3 M40i: many owners say the X3 is the better and more practical buy and openly call the X4 ugly, while X4 owners counter that they prefer the sporty looks and don't need the extra trunk space. Several owners describe the X4 as a lifted 3 Series coupe and the X6 as an X5 coupe, and note the X4 is far rarer on the road than the X3 or X5.
Recommended configurations
Owners recommend the B58 engine over the N55, and several advise looking at 2020 and later cars to get iDrive 7 (2018-2019 cars have iDrive 6 and cannot be upgraded to iDrive 7, so no factory Android Auto). One owner specifically praises the 2022 X4 M40i with the adaptive suspension. Owners also suggest 18-inch wheels with taller sidewalls for winter, rejecting a mechanic's claim that 18s won't fit. All-weather floor mats are repeatedly recommended to protect against road salt.
General recommendations
This generation suits buyers who want a sporty-looking, quick daily driver and don't need maximum cargo room; owners warn that anyone who regularly hauls large items should get an X3 or X5 instead, since the sloping roof limits what fits with the hatch closed. Buyers should favor B58-equipped cars over N55 cars, and should look for a clean history and remaining factory warranty. Owners strongly advise budgeting for maintenance and not skipping scheduled service, including spark plugs, coolant, and brake fluid, and finding a good independent shop once out of warranty. On a used car, owners suggest watching the water pump around 75k miles and checking for oil leaks before purchase.
Remarks
A large share of discussion about this generation is styling debate rather than ownership experience, with critics calling the X4 ugly and owners defending it as unique and sporty; this colors the overall sentiment data. Several owners note the X4 is a rare model, which they treat as a plus for exclusivity but a minus for aftermarket parts availability. One owner reported paying $400 for a professional interior detail to remove road salt, and another paid $4,000 for bodywork around a wheel well. Analysis based on approximately 118 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | electrical system |
| 2024 | 3 | 1 | fuel/propulsion system |
| 2023 | 8 | 2 | service brakes |
| 2022 | 4 | 5 | service brakes |
| 2021 | 6 | 7 | engine |
| 2020 | 15 | 10 | electrical system |
| 2019 | 10 | 7 | electrical system |
| 2018 | 11 | 1 | electrical system |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2025 · air bagscampaign 24V910000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 X4 xDrive 30i, X4 M40i and X4 M vehicles. The inner-left roof frame near the head air bag may have a crack that can damage the head air bag during deployment.
2024 · steeringcampaign 23V770000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 2 Series Coupe (230i), 330i, X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i vehicles. The steering gear may not have been tightened properly, which can allow it to loosen.
2023 · power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)campaign 23V821000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (850i xDrive, M8), X3 SAV (X3 xDrive30i, X3M), X4 SAV (X4 xDrive30i), X5 SAV (X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M), X6 SAV (X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M), and Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. The weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover may not have been manufactured properly, which could allow automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit.
2023 · electrical system:starter assemblycampaign 26V056000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
2022 · exterior lightingcampaign 21V831000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, and X4M vehicles. The rear license plate may not be illuminated properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
2022 · equipment:other:labelscampaign 21V646000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain X4 xDrive30i vehicles. The tire label may contain the wrong tire size and pressure information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
2022 · power train:automatic transmissioncampaign 22V070000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 330i, 530i, X3 xDrive30i, and X4 xDrive30i vehicles. The mechatronics unit inside the transmission may not have been assembled properly, which could result in an internal leak.
2022 · electrical system:starter assembly:relaycampaign 25V636000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
2022 · electrical system:starter assemblycampaign 26V056000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
2021 · back over prevention: sensing system: cameracampaign 20V598000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
2021 · back over prevention: sensing system: cameracampaign 21V096000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
2021 · fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assemblycampaign 21V199000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, and X4, and 2021 X4 xDrive30i vehicles. The inlet check valve weld may fail, allowing the filling pipe to separate from the fuel tank.
13 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
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.