Total Complaints
13 filings
BMW 850I · model year
2019 BMW 850I
13 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2019BMW850I carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2019 850I is air bags with 3 filings, followed by electrical system (2) and engine (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2019 850I. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
13
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20250310POWER 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.
Mileage: 40,000
20240228UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
20240228ENGINE
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.
20230610UNKNOWN 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).
20211005POWER TRAIN
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.
20211005ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
20211005AIR 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.
20210517CrashENGINE
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.
20210517CrashAIR 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.
20210213ELECTRICAL 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.
Mileage: 13,000
20210205AIR BAGS
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.
Mileage: 8,000
20210205FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
Mileage: 8,000
20210205FORWARD 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.
Mileage: 8,000
Compare 2019BMW850I to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2019 BMW 850I have?▼
The 2019 BMW 850I has 13 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 BMW 850I?▼
The most-complained component for the 2019 BMW 850I is AIR BAGS with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ENGINE.
Is the 2019 BMW 850I safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.