2020 BMW 840I: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2020 BMW 840I: 5 recalls, 4 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts, Seat belts Vehicle recall #20V164000 · 2020 · 3,316 vehicles
What's wrong: The sensors in the front seat belt buckles May inaccurately detect a belted occupant as unbelted, possibly causing the air bag and seat belt pretensioners to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
Why it matters: If the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioners deploy improperly in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt buckles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020.
Brakes (hydraulic), Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #21V062000 · 2021 · 893 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Backup camera, Backup camera Vehicle recall #21V096000 · 2021 · 13,858 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Engine & cooling, Electrical Vehicle recall #24V576000 · 2024 · 105,588 vehicles
What's wrong: Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload.
Why it matters: A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024.
Electrical Vehicle recall #25V644000 · 2025 · 145,102 vehicles
What's wrong: After repeated attempts, the starter motor May overheat from an electrical overload.
Why it matters: An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24v576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2020 BMW 840I has 4 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 8 840I model years for complaints (2.5× the average 840I year). Neighboring years: 2019 (0 complaints, 2 recalls), 2021 (0 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 25 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2020 BMW 840I.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2020 BMW 840I have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2020 BMW 840I. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2020 BMW 840I problems?
Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (1), other / unknown (1), electrical (1).
What gas mileage does the 2020 BMW 840I get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2020 BMW 840I repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.