BMW M8 · model year

2020 BMW M8

8 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2020BMWM8 carries 8 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2020 M8 is vehicle speed control with 2 filings, followed by visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:windshield:electrical heating element (1) and service brakes (1). 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. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2020 M8. 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.

8
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

8 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT1
SERVICE BRAKES1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
ENGINE1

Recalls (3)

21V09600019/02/2021

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Co

19V88300011/12/2019

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 M5 and 2020 M8 Gran Coupe, M8 Coupe, and M8 Convertible vehicles. The transmission wiring harness can become damaged, resulting in an electrical short circuit.

21V06200010/02/2021

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X

Recent Complaints

20260112CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On [XXX]. My car went into unintended acceleration at full throttle of 8000 RPMs. The engine was stuck at maximum power and would not slow down. My car slide until it hit a curb and was forced to stop. However, the engine was still running at full maximum capacity at full unintended acceleration. My [XXX] son had to go to ER and it almost cost the lives of 4 other people. I am very scared to ever drive this car as it is now a threat to safety for everyone driving near this car. Please report this to the BMW NA manufacturer since they have their engineering looking at the vehicle. Please call me with a resolution at [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20260112CrashENGINE

On [XXX]. My car went into unintended acceleration at full throttle of 8000 RPMs. The engine was stuck at maximum power and would not slow down. My car slide until it hit a curb and was forced to stop. However, the engine was still running at full maximum capacity at full unintended acceleration. My [XXX] son had to go to ER and it almost cost the lives of 4 other people. I am very scared to ever drive this car as it is now a threat to safety for everyone driving near this car. Please report this to the BMW NA manufacturer since they have their engineering looking at the vehicle. Please call me with a resolution at [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20260112CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

On [XXX]. My car went into unintended acceleration at full throttle of 8000 RPMs. The engine was stuck at maximum power and would not slow down. My car slide until it hit a curb and was forced to stop. However, the engine was still running at full maximum capacity at full unintended acceleration. My [XXX] son had to go to ER and it almost cost the lives of 4 other people. I am very scared to ever drive this car as it is now a threat to safety for everyone driving near this car. Please report this to the BMW NA manufacturer since they have their engineering looking at the vehicle. Please call me with a resolution at [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20251230FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Engine misfire and loss of power. Too to bmw for check up. It was coolant tank leak into injectors. BMW is not replacing the tank as part of recall. It is changing only injectors even though the recall specifically addresses the tank causing the issue. BMW argument is as part of recall this was checked and tank was fine so not replaced as part or recall. Now it is not under warranty. Why are they repairing injectors if the tank car is not under warranty they should replace the tank also as it is the bad part causing this. The car has only 14k miles.

20251211SERVICE BRAKES

While driving, the vehicle immediately went into full unintended acceleration without any input from the accelerator pedal. I removed my foot completely from the pedal, but engine RPM increased to full 7000 rpm’s and the throttle was stuck there. The vehicle surged forward unexpectedly. The car spun in circles 180 degrees and wouldn’t stop. This was a sudden and unpredictable event. This created safety concerns for my [XXX] old and and we had to take him to the ER for his head injury. The car hit curbs and jumped onto the opposite side of traffic. BMW Dealer is currently opening a BMW STI case to investigate potential throttle or electronic control issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20251211VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

While driving, the vehicle immediately went into full unintended acceleration without any input from the accelerator pedal. I removed my foot completely from the pedal, but engine RPM increased to full 7000 rpm’s and the throttle was stuck there. The vehicle surged forward unexpectedly. The car spun in circles 180 degrees and wouldn’t stop. This was a sudden and unpredictable event. This created safety concerns for my [XXX] old and and we had to take him to the ER for his head injury. The car hit curbs and jumped onto the opposite side of traffic. BMW Dealer is currently opening a BMW STI case to investigate potential throttle or electronic control issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20251211FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

While driving, the vehicle immediately went into full unintended acceleration without any input from the accelerator pedal. I removed my foot completely from the pedal, but engine RPM increased to full 7000 rpm’s and the throttle was stuck there. The vehicle surged forward unexpectedly. The car spun in circles 180 degrees and wouldn’t stop. This was a sudden and unpredictable event. This created safety concerns for my [XXX] old and and we had to take him to the ER for his head injury. The car hit curbs and jumped onto the opposite side of traffic. BMW Dealer is currently opening a BMW STI case to investigate potential throttle or electronic control issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20200915VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BMW M8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT 55 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD BECAME FOGGY. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER HOWEVER, FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WAITED FOR THE WINDSHIELD TO CLEAR UP. THE CONTACT RESUMED NORMAL DRIVING. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF KANSAS CITY SOUTH (1200 W 104TH ST, KANSAS CITY, MO 64114) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO BE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,700.

Mileage: 1,700

Compare 2020BMWM8 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 BMW M8 have?
The 2020 BMW M8 has 8 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 BMW M8?
The 2020 BMW M8 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 BMW M8?
Yes, the 2020 BMW M8 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 BMW M8?
The most-complained component for the 2020 BMW M8 is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2020 BMW M8 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2020 BMW M8 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. 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.