The 2020 BMW M8 has 3 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (2 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints4filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Back over prevention › Software
NHTSA recall 21V096000 · Feb 19, 2021 · 13,858 vehicles
Problem: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Components: Back over prevention › Software; Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Hydraulic
NHTSA recall 21V062000 · Feb 10, 2021 · 893 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Components: Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Hydraulic; Service brakes, hydraulic
Electrical system › Wiring
NHTSA recall 19V883000 · Dec 11, 2019 · 3,012 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: An electrical short circuit can cause the transmission to shift to neutral resulting in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Components: Electrical system › Wiring; Power train › Automatic transmission
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2020 BMW M8 2 DR AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2020 BMW M8 Convertible C AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2020 BMW M8 Gran 4 DR AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
M8 Coupe
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
M8 Competition Coupe
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
M8 Convertible
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
M8 Competition Convertible
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
M8 Competition Gran Coupe
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed control
2
1
0
1
—
Visibility Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Dec 3, 2025 · crash · 1 injuryElectrical system 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…
Dec 26, 2025Fuel/propulsion system 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.
Dec 3, 2025Service brakes 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 rpmâs and the throttle was stuck there. The vehicle surged forward unexpectedly. The car spun in circles 180 degrees and wouldnât 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…
Sep 1, 2020 · 1,700 milesVisibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.