Research · Subcompact Cars

2020 BMW M4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint for the 2020 BMW M4. Most complaints involve suspension (1) and engine (1). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 9 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Oct 2020
Owner complaints
1
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$3,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 M2 Coupe and 2020 M4 Coupe vehicles. Fuel injectors may have been installed without a damping component which is used to reduce vibration. If a damping component is not present, vibration will increase at the connection between the fuel line and the fuel rail, which over time, can result in damage at the connection.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Oct 29, 2020NHTSA 20V666000

Air bags: knee bolster

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive, M2 Competition Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, and 2019 330i xDrive Sportswagon vehicles. The driver and passenger knee air bag assemblies may have been improperly folded and assembled.

Air bagsReported May 9, 2019NHTSA 19V352000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2022 – Jun 2022
  1. Suspension1
  2. Engine1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each M4 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201512
201622
20172
20186
20201
20211
20222
20242
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

1 report
“The contact owns a 2020 BMW M4. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was a failure with the wheelbase and the front end was raising off the ground while turning. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact performed a personal diagnosis with adaptive mobility deactivated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer claimed to have replaced the engine, and repaired the rear and front suspensions; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,200.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2022Suspension, EngineODI 11468458

Engine

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

9 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars, Compact Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic (AM-S7)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
M4 Convertible
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172520$3,850450
M4 Convertible Competition
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172520$3,850450
M4 Coupe
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
182520$3,850440
M4 Coupe Competition
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
182520$3,850440
M4 Convertible
Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
162219$4,050481
M4 Convertible Competition
Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
162219$4,050481
M4 Coupe
Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$4,050471
M4 Coupe Competition
Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$4,050471
M4 CS
Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$4,050471
  • M4 Convertible
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • M4 Convertible Competition
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • M4 Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • M4 Coupe Competition
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • M4 Convertible
    Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • M4 Convertible Competition
    Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • M4 Coupe
    Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • M4 Coupe Competition
    Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • M4 CS
    Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 BMW M4 as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 14429Vehicle 14427
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 M4 questions

How many recalls does the 2020 BMW M4 have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 BMW M4 problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (1), engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 BMW M4 get?

The EPA rates the 2020 BMW M4 at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026