The BMW X4 is a stylish, powerful, and luxurious compact luxury SUV. But like most cars, this compact SUV also comes with some issues that are worth noting. Nonetheless, what are the common problems with the BMW X4?
Common problems with BMW X4 are malfunctioning airbags, turbo wastegate issues, faulty electrical system, DPF clogs, the engine failing to start, loss of wheel control, and faulty seatbelt lock recognition. These and many other issues make the BMW X4 one of the least reliable BMW models.
What are the common problems with the X4?
Malfunctioning airbags
BMW usually recalls some cars if it detects they have a manufacturing problem. Several 2017 to 2019 BMW X4 models came with faulty airbags. BMW discovered that a screw connection from the passenger’s airbag to the instrument panel may not have been made according to specifications.
Therefore, if the airbag is activated, the panel cover may break into pieces and be thrown against the passenger, increasing the danger of an injury when there is an accident.
Faulty electrical system
Like most BMWs, the BMW X4 also suffers from a faulty electrical system. This can be caused by several things, such as a broken starter, corrosion on battery terminals, immobilizer error, clogged fuel filter, dead 12v battery, blown fuse, or bad alternator. If your car is experiencing electrical issues, ensure to fix the root of the problem.
Turbo wastegate issues
This problem is common in the petrol-engined BMW X4 model. The turbo wastegate becomes noisy, making the check engine light come on and the car will gradually stop. Note that this particular issue is normally brought about by an aging turbocharger. So, if the turbocharger is worn out, you should replace it.
The engine fails to start
The main culprits that cause the engine not to start are electrical issues. We had already highlighted some of the major electrical issues and some of them may affect the engine as well. For instance, corrosion on battery terminals, empty gas tank, bad alternator, and broken starter may prevent the engine from starting.
Ensure to fix the underlying electrical and engine issues if you want it to perform optimally.
The DPF clogs
The DPF or diesel particulate filter clogs when it cannot burn away all the excess diesel particulate matter that they filter from the car’s exhaust. As a result, the car fails to regenerate and the DPF ends up clogging.
If the clog is not excessive, you can try unclogging the DPF by warming up your engine well and driving it at high speed for about 10 to 20 minutes. This should be enough to unclog the DPF. But if the DPF is damaged, you will have to replace it.
Faulty seatbelt lock recognition
Another issue that forced BMW to recall some BMW models is a faulty seatbelt lock recognition. This issue was discovered in some of the 2019 and 2020 BMW X4 models. It was believed that the cable linking the hall sensor with the seat buckle might be extremely short.
As a result, the sensor might detach from the buckle, causing a faulty seatbelt lock recognition, which affects the functioning of the restraint system and deployment of the airbag, thus increasing the danger of injury in case of an accident.
Loss of wheel control
This issue is common in the 2018 and 2019 BMW X4M models. The wheel losses control because of a vibration fatigue failure of the track rod. Besides, the vibration fatigue failure happens because of an exceptional bending load. If this occurs, the wheel will lose control on one side of the car, increasing the danger of an accident.
The good news is that BMW recalled all cars with this defect and fixed them. Hence, if you’re investing in a used 2018 or 2019 BMW X4M, ensure that this problem was fixed before paying for it.
FAQ
Is the BMW X4 reliable?
No, the BMW X4 is among the least reliable BMW models on the market. However, it is more reliable than the BMW X5, which is among the least reliable luxury SUVs on the market. A good number of reliability agencies have given BMW X4 an above-average score, which is fair but not great.
Is the BMW X4 cheap to maintain?
No, the BMW X4 is quite expensive to maintain. This is because not only does it report more issues than average, but its parts and service are quite costly. For instance, the BMW X4 has an annual repair cost of around $988, which is more than the average cost of maintaining a mid-size SUV, at $652 annually.
How long does the BMW X4 last?
If properly maintained, the BMW X4 can clock over 200,000 miles. But if it is not well-maintained, the car may have a hard time clocking over 150,000 miles. Besides, as the car gets older, it will require major repairs that should not be ignored. Taking care of such costly repairs will ensure that the car lasts longer than the average SUV.
After how many miles does the BMW X4 start having problems?
The BMW X4 is not as reliable as the BMW X3. Therefore, it starts having problems as early as 50,000 miles. But with good care and maintenance, the user may start having serious issues after 100,000 miles. So, if you follow BMW’s recommended service maintenance schedule, you won’t spend a lot of money on repair and maintenance.
Summary
Whether you’re buying a new or used BMW X4, it is important to know some of the issues that you will come across during ownership of the car. Now that you know some of the common problems that BMW X4 users face, you can go ahead and maintain your car properly to avoid most of these issues.
All in all, the BMW X4 is still an elegant, high-performance, comfortable, and luxurious car. On top of that, it is easy to handle and has a quality interior. Nevertheless, it is quite expensive with a smaller trunk space than most of its competitors.