BMW 850I Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints across the 2 model years of the BMW 850I (1991–2019) that have at least 5 complaints. 1991 has the most, with 9. Across all years, the part named most often is exterior lighting (5 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 850I model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 8 | 13,000 | 0 | 10 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 9 | 78,000 | 2 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Exterior lighting5 25%
- Air bags4 20%
- Transmission and drivetrain3 15%
- Other or unknown2 10%
- Engine2 10%
- Electrical system2 10%
- Suspension1 5.0%
- Fuel system1 5.0%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2019: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11394846, filed 2021-02, 8,000 miles1991: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #11040836, filed 2017-10, 78,000 milesOther BMW models
3,165 complaintsBMW 328I
2,576 complaintsBMW X3
2,016 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology