NHTSA vehicle safety data

2020 BMW M8 Recalls & Complaints

The 2020 BMW M8 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2020 BMW M8. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2020 BMW M8 owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 BMW M8, describing incidents dated September 1, 2020 to December 26, 2025.

Most-cited components

Vehicle Speed Control 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint

Of the 4 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 4 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11710392 · Filed January 12, 2026
On [XXX]. My car went into unintended acceleration at full throttle of 8000 RPMs. The engine was stuck at maximum power and would not slow down. My car slide until it hit a curb and was forced to stop. However, the engine was still running at full maximum capacity at full unintended acceleration. My…
ODI #11707818 · Filed December 30, 2025
Engine misfire and loss of power. Too to bmw for check up. It was coolant tank leak into injectors. BMW is not replacing the tank as part of recall. It is changing only injectors even though the recall specifically addresses the tank causing the issue. BMW argument is as part of recall this was…
ODI #11704468 · Filed December 11, 2025
While driving, the vehicle immediately went into full unintended acceleration without any input from the accelerator pedal. I removed my foot completely from the pedal, but engine RPM increased to full 7000 rpm’s and the throttle was stuck there. The vehicle surged forward unexpectedly. The car spun…

Read all 4 complaints

Rearview Camera Image Malfunction/FMVSS 111

NHTSA #21V096000 · Back Over Prevention — Sensing System — Camera · NHTSA notice

Reported February 19, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 13,858 vehicles

Repair completion: 97.63% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified April 16, 2021

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Possible Loss of Braking Assistance and ABS

NHTSA #21V062000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported February 10, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 893 vehicles

Repair completion: 99.21% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified May 25, 2021

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance.

Safety consequence

A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Transmission Wiring Harness Can Short Circuit

NHTSA #19V883000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported December 11, 2019 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 3,012 vehicles

Repair completion: 97.41% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 7, 2020 · Vehicles built February 20, 2019 – October 30, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 M5 and 2020 M8 Gran Coupe, M8 Coupe, and M8 Convertible vehicles. The transmission wiring harness can become damaged, resulting in an electrical short circuit.

Safety consequence

An electrical short circuit can cause the transmission to shift to neutral resulting in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace any damaged transmission harnesses. All harnesses will be rerouted and secured. These repairs will be performed, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 3, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2020 BMW M8 2 DR AWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2020 BMW M8 Convertible C AWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

4 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 BMW M8.

Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11710392

Crash 1 injury

Incident: December 3, 2025 · Filed: January 12, 2026

On [XXX]. My car went into unintended acceleration at full throttle of 8000 RPMs. The engine was stuck at maximum power and would not slow down. My car slide until it hit a curb and was forced to stop. However, the engine was still running at full maximum capacity at full unintended acceleration. My [XXX] son had to go to ER and it almost cost the lives of 4 other people. I am very scared to ever drive this car as it is now a threat to safety for everyone driving near this car. Please report this to the BMW NA manufacturer since they have their engineering looking at the vehicle. Please call me with a resolution at [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11707818

Incident: December 26, 2025 · Filed: December 30, 2025

Engine misfire and loss of power. Too to bmw for check up. It was coolant tank leak into injectors. BMW is not replacing the tank as part of recall. It is changing only injectors even though the recall specifically addresses the tank causing the issue. BMW argument is as part of recall this was checked and tank was fine so not replaced as part or recall. Now it is not under warranty. Why are they repairing injectors if the tank car is not under warranty they should replace the tank also as it is the bad part causing this. The car has only 14k miles.

Vehicle Speed Control; Service Brakes; Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11704468

Incident: December 3, 2025 · Filed: December 11, 2025

While driving, the vehicle immediately went into full unintended acceleration without any input from the accelerator pedal. I removed my foot completely from the pedal, but engine RPM increased to full 7000 rpm’s and the throttle was stuck there. The vehicle surged forward unexpectedly. The car spun in circles 180 degrees and wouldn’t stop. This was a sudden and unpredictable event. This created safety concerns for my [XXX] old and and we had to take him to the ER for his head injury. The car hit curbs and jumped onto the opposite side of traffic. BMW Dealer is currently opening a BMW STI case to investigate potential throttle or electronic control issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Visibility

ODI #11355118

Incident: September 1, 2020 · Filed: September 15, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BMW M8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT 55 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD BECAME FOGGY. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER HOWEVER, FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WAITED FOR THE WINDSHIELD TO CLEAR UP. THE CONTACT RESUMED NORMAL DRIVING. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF KANSAS CITY SOUTH (1200 W 104TH ST, KANSAS CITY, MO 64114) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO BE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,700.

Other BMW M8 model years

Check your 2020 BMW M8 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW M8 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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