BMW 850i Complaints

17 consumer complaints on file.

#11770714October 12, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The rear driveshaft Guibo (flex disc) was found cracked with nylon cords coming out during an unrelated service visit on October 1, 2026. The car was in for a window regulator repair; the Guibo was discovered on the lift. There were no prior warning lights or symptoms reported. The same part had been replaced by an authorized BMW dealer in April 2024 at 44,537 miles. The vehicle now has 105,764 miles. The dealer recommended replacement. An independent mechanic, who has not inspected the vehicle, advised that surface cracks on this component are common and that immediate replacement may not always be required. The exposed cords indicate the part is compromised. The component remains on the vehicle and is available for inspection. A failed Guibo can result in driveline separation, loss of power, and potential loss of vehicle control.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647304March 10, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2019 BMW M850I. The contact stated that gear shifter became stuck in gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11574481February 28, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
The Coolant tank is known to have and cause leakage by possible high temperatures and over-expansion. When this happens the coolant leaks all over critical engine components such as fuel injectors causing a short and risk of fire. Leaking coolant can also cause many other safety problems such as slippery brakes and/or tires. Fortunately, this hasn't happened to my vehicle yet. I have spoken with several owners who have had this issue happen to them. It would be worth investigating to see if a safety recall is needed. Preventative measures should be taken. Thanks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526356June 10, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The software update was transferred from phone to the car. But would not install on the car. The issue has been raised by multiple people on various BMW forums. The clutch appears to be from BMW servers and service locations instead of dealing with root cause are trying to charge customers 350 -450 dollar to manually load gbs software. As a purchaser of the vehicle with automated software updates it is unreasonable to charge for manual update where a over the air software should work Please contact me at [XXX] to discuss my issue and others with BMW software updates that do not install. Thank you. I may also be reached at [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11435507October 5, 2021
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
Behind the cupholder the shifting unit is unsealed and liquids spill are causing shifting issues to the shifting control module. Also the Airbag sensor is under the same gap which can cause airbag malfunction. There are numerous reports on forums with all model types 2019+, not limited to the 8 series. This is a design flaw on the new center console shifting seal. This is is a life threatening defect, already a open recall for the wire routing under the shifter for the 8 series, same area.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11417452May 17, 2021
ENGINE, AIR BAGS
2019 M850i XDrive. Consumer writes regarding unintended acceleration of vehicle. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SURGED OVER A RETAINING WALL INTO THE SECOND FLOOR OF A BUILDING. SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11396045February 13, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BATTERY INSUFFICIENT CHARGE TO INITIATE REMOTE START. THE CAR AND BATTERY ARE NEW. ON THE DATE OF AUTO PURCHASE THEY NOTED THAT THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH THEY DID AT NO COST BUT NOW IT IS NOT RETAINING CHARGE IN COLD WEATHER IN MINNESOTA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11394846February 5, 2021
AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
ON OR ABOUT DEC. 3, WHILE DRIVING THROUGH JAMESTOWN, NC , NO VEHICLES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY AND WITH MY WIFE'S FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. ONLY TIME IT HAPPENED. ON JAN. 14, 2021, WHILE PARKING THE AUTO AND WITH MY WIFE'S FOOT COVERING THE BRAKE PEDDLE, THE CAR SUDDENDLY ACCERATED INTO A BUILDING. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND WITH HER FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR NEVER SHUT OFF. IT JUST KEPT ACCELERATING INTO BUILDING. IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE. BMW SENT A CORPORATE TECH TO EVALUATE. WITH NO LETTERS OR E-MAIL, WE RECEIVED A CALL STATING IT WAS MY WIFE'S FAULT. THREE SAFETY PROBLEMS IS NOT MY WIFE'S FAULT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11040836October 29, 2017
AIR BAGS
STARTED MY BMW 850I, DRIVE HALF A BLOCK DOWN THE STREET, THE AIRBAG BLOW , BURN MY HANDS. I CAN TAKE PICTURE OF THE BROKEN AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL IF NEEDED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10074320June 29, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ADJUSTER WAS BROKEN. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ADJUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT HIGH ENOUGH TO SHINE ON THE ROAD TO ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE LIGHTS WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 15-20 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#766418August 29, 2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
BOTH HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT MECHAISMS HAVE REPEATEDLY FAILED. THIS IS AN ONGOING COMPLAINT WITH BMW 8 SERIES OWNERS. WHEN THE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FAILS THE HEADLIGHT BUCKETS POINT DOWNWARDS SO THAT THE AMOUNT OF ROAD VISIBLE TO THE DRIVER IS 25 FEET OR LESS. BMW HAS A "FIX" FOR THIS WHICH CONSISTS OF "PEENING" A PLASTIC ADJUSTMENT WHEEL TO THE ADJUSTMENT SHAFT. THIS USUALLY FAILS WITHIN SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES. BMW THEN SAYS TO BUY A NEW HEADLIGHT BUCKET... $4-500 TO FIX A $2.00 PART. SOMETIME, OR MAYBE IT HA ALREADY HAPPEND THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR A PEDESTRIAN FATALITY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE LIGHTS ARE NOT PROJECTING FAR ENOUGH FOR A DRIVER TO SEE A REASONABLE DISTANCE DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW AND HAVE YET TO RECIVE THE COURTESY OF A RETURN CALL. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS COMPLAINT WITH WHAT ACTION THAT YOU MIGHT BE TAKING REGARDING THIS MATTER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#760922April 19, 2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
AFTER FAILURE, BMW TELLS YOU TO BUY NEW HEADLIGHT BUCKETS FOR $650 WITH NEW ADJUSTERS IN THEM, WHICH WILL FAIL AGAIN AFTER TWO TO FOUR YEARS, DEPENDING ON THE MILEAGE. AFTER FAILURE THE LIGHTS SHINE EXTREMLY LOW WITHOUT COVERING THE STREET IN FRONT OF YOU, RESULTING IN A REAL SAFETY HAZARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#760882April 18, 2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT HOUSING BROKEN. POINTS DOWNWARD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8007957April 18, 2002
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
CONSUMER STATES THE CONVERTIBLE HEADLIGHTS KNOB ARE NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY MECHANIC AND MANUFACTURE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED HOWEVER TO RESOLVE PROBLEM MANUFACTURE HAS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE LIGHTS FOR $400.00 PER LIGHTS. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#718518February 9, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS CAR LOSES COOLANT, OVERHEATS, AND BLOWS A HEAD GASKET, AND NOW POSSIBLY NEEDS NEW CYLINDER HEADS. BMW MECHANIC STATES THAT THE TEMPERATUTE GAUGE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO TELL YOU THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING IF THE COOLANT HAS ALREADY COMPLETELY LEAKED OUT OF THE SYSTEM. THAT THE GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER THE EMPTY AIR IN A NOW EMPTY COOLANT SYSTEM. IN MY OPINION THE TEMP GUAGE SHOULD TELL ME THE POSSIBILITY OF MY CAR OVERHEATING SO THAT I CAN SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND HAVE IT REPAIRED. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE($5,000 FIRST TIME) AND NOW AN ESTIMATED $9,000-15,000 DEPENDING ON EXTENT OF DAMAGE. PLEASE SEND ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY HAVE ON THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. A LOCAL REPUTABLE IMPORT REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THIS HAPPENS WITH THIS CAR AND THAT THEY CONSIDER IT A COMMON DEFECT/OCCURRENCE. TO COMBAT THIS THEY EVEN HAVE THEIR OWN SOLUTION MY DRILLING EXTRA HOLES IN THE ENGINE AND BOLTING IT DOWN WITHOUT HAVING TO EVEN USE A HEADGASKET. IF THIS IS ACCEPTED COMMON KNOWLEDGE THEN THERE MUST BE FURTHER COMPLAINTS/HISTORIES OF THIS OCCURRENCE WITH THE BMW 850I.. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#534382April 20, 1998
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES CONTINUE TO FAIL ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#508799September 17, 1996
SUSPENSION:REAR
SHOCK SUPPORT CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE ON TWO OCCASIONS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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