Model year 2015 · Subcompact Cars, Compact Cars, Midsize Cars, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2015 BMW M: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2015 BMW M at 16–25 mpg combined across 18 versions. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 19 owner complaints for this model year.

Safety recalls

5

EPA combined mpg

16–25

NHTSA overall rating

—

Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT

NHTSA lists this vehicle as M3, M4, M5, M6.

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a BMW dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2015 BMW M recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 5 safety recalls for the 2015 BMW M, newest first.

Air bags: Side/window

NHTSA 24V288000 Reported Apr 24, 2024
Filed by
BMW of North America, LLC
Units affected
5,761 (estimate)
Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
Risk
An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Exterior lighting: Brake lights

NHTSA 20V094000 Reported Feb 19, 2020
Filed by
BMW of North America, LLC
Units affected
2,728 (estimate)
Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2019 M6 Gran Coupe vehicles. The third brake light may become loose, possibly allowing the light to detach from the vehicle.
Risk
If the third brake light detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third brake light and properly secure it with new fasteners. If the third brake light detached from the vehicle and is damaged, it will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Structure: Frame and members

NHTSA 16V653000 Reported Sep 9, 2016
Filed by
BMW of North America, LLC
Units affected
196 (estimate)
Problem
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 BMW M2 Coupe vehicles, 2015-2017 M3 Sedan vehicles and 2015-2016 M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible vehicles. During servicing of the rear differential for a prior service action, the rear sub-frame bolts may have been reused instead of being replaced. Reuse of the existing bolts may cause the bolts to loosen.
Risk
Loose rear sub-frame bolts may adversely affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear sub-frame bolts with new bolts, free of charge. The recall began on November 3, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Power train: Driveline: Driveshaft

NHTSA 16V540000 Reported Jul 19, 2016
Filed by
BMW of North America, LLC
Units affected
956 (estimate)
Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 BMW M5 sedans manufactured September 4, 2014, through December 4, 2014, 2015 M6 coupes manufactured September 3, 2014, through December 3, 2014, 2015 M6 convertibles manufactured September 8, 2014, through December 4, 2014, and 2015 M6 Gran Coupe vehicles manufactured September3, 2014, through December 4, 2014. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft that may have been inadequately welded during manufacturing.
Risk
Due to the improper weld, the driveshaft may fracture and fail, causing loss of drive to the rear wheels and a loss of propulsion. Additionally, if the car is turned off and exited without the parking brake applied, the car may roll. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during September 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Power train: Driveline: Driveshaft

NHTSA 15V782000 Reported Nov 23, 2015
Filed by
BMW of North America, LLC
Units affected
42 (estimate)
Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 M3 Sedan vehicles manufactured May 30, 2015, to September 2, 2015, 2016 M4 Coupe vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to September 11, 2015, and 2015-2016 M4 Convertible vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to August 4, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft with a slip-joint that may not have been filled with grease. As a result, the slip-joint may fail over time.
Risk
If the slip-joint fails, there would be a loss of power to the rear axle and therefore the vehicle would stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driveshaft, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 14, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2015 BMW M fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2015 BMW M EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
M235i Convertible3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic 8-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium21/31/25 mpg$3,300361
M235i Convertible3.0L 6-cyl turboManual 6-spdRear-Wheel DrivePremium19/26/22 mpg$3,750410
M33.0L 6-cyl turboManual 6-spdRear-Wheel DrivePremium17/26/20 mpg$4,100440
M33.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium17/24/19 mpg$4,350459
M4 Convertible3.0L 6-cyl turboManual 6-spdRear-Wheel DrivePremium17/26/20 mpg$4,100440
M4 Convertible3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium17/24/19 mpg$4,350459
M4 Coupe3.0L 6-cyl turboManual 6-spdRear-Wheel DrivePremium17/26/20 mpg$4,100440
M4 Coupe3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium17/24/19 mpg$4,350459
M54.4L 8-cyl turboManual 6-spdRear-Wheel DrivePremium15/22/17 mpg$4,850516
M54.4L 8-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium14/20/16 mpg$5,150553
M6 Convertible4.4L 8-cyl turboManual 6-spdRear-Wheel DrivePremium15/22/17 mpg$4,850516
M6 Convertible4.4L 8-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium14/20/16 mpg$5,150553
M6 Coupe4.4L 8-cyl turboManual 6-spdRear-Wheel DrivePremium15/22/17 mpg$4,850516
M6 Coupe4.4L 8-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium14/20/16 mpg$5,150553
M6 Gran Coupe4.4L 8-cyl turboManual 6-spdRear-Wheel DrivePremium15/22/17 mpg$4,850516
M6 Gran Coupe4.4L 8-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium14/20/16 mpg$5,150553
X5 M4.4L 8-cyl turboAutomatic 8-speedAll-Wheel DrivePremium14/19/16 mpg$5,150549
X6 M4.4L 8-cyl turboAutomatic 8-speedAll-Wheel DrivePremium14/19/16 mpg$5,150549

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2015 BMW M crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2015 BMW M NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2015 BMW M3 4 DR RWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—Optional
2015 BMW M4 2 DR RWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—Optional
2015 BMW M4 C RWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—Optional
2015 BMW M5 4 DR RWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—Optional
2015 BMW M6 2 DR RWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—Optional
2015 BMW M6 4 DR RWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—Optional
2015 BMW M6 C RWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2015 BMW M owner complaints

Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 BMW M, most recently on May 24, 2026. 0 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2015 BMW M complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Engine7
Electrical system5
Power train4
Fuel/propulsion system3
Service brakes2
Unknown or other2
Structure: Body1
Visibility/wiper1

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other BMW M model years

BMW M by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2027 M13–19 mpg———
2026 M13–19 mpg20—
2025 M13–19 mpg34—
2024 M17–19 mpg12—
2023 M17–19 mpg22—
2022 M17–19 mpg14—
2021 M16–26 mpg68—
2020 M16–25 mpg89—
2019 M16–24 mpg68—
2018 M16–22 mpg625—
2017 M16–22 mpg523—
2016 M16–22 mpg637—

All BMW M years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2015 BMW models

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 28, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with BMW.