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What is BMW?

Karl Rapp, Franz Josef Popp, Camillo Castiglioni founded BMW in 1916, headquartered in Munich, Germany. 105 models tracked (1981–2026).

Data · NHTSA & EPA · 105 models · 1981–2026 · Updated Oct 23, 2026 · 4.1 ★★★★★★★★★★ Brand Score
Quick answer

BMW is a German carmaker founded in 1916. The cars themselves are another matter: across 12 VIN prefixes on record they came off lines in 2 countries — Germany 64.6%, the United States 35.4%. 105 models are tracked here (1981–2026). Reliable? yes, on balance — 4.1 out of 5 across 105 rated models, though the spread between model years is far wider than the badge suggests (every model ranked →).

105
Models
1981
Since
1
Vehicle types
Germany
Origin
1916
Founded

Who makes BMW

BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG) is a German luxury automaker and motorcycle manufacturer headquartered in Munich, Bavaria. Founded in 1916 as an aircraft-engine maker, BMW shifted to motorcycles in 1923 and to automobiles with the Dixi 3/15 in 1928. The company's blue-and-white roundel, often described as a stylized rotating propeller, is a stylized version of the Bavarian state colors. BMW manufactures vehicles at 31 facilities in 15 countries and competes head-to-head with Mercedes-Benz and Audi in the German premium segment. The 3 Series has defined the sport-luxury sedan since 1975, the M division produces high-performance variants of nearly every model line, and BMW i is the dedicated electric sub-brand whose i3 and i8 set the template for the current iX and i4 EVs. BMW trades on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under BMW. The company also owns Mini and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and operates BMW Motorrad as its motorcycle division. Recall data for every BMW VIN is reported to NHTSA, and EPA fuel-economy ratings, IIHS Top Safety Pick designations and J.D. Power studies serve as independent benchmarks. ForCar.org decodes any BMW VIN against NHTSA's dataset to reveal trim, factory options, open recalls and original MSRP.

BMW traces its founding to 1916, when Rapp Motorenwerke and Otto-Werke were reorganized into Bayerische Motoren Werke to build aircraft engines for World War I. The Treaty of Versailles forced BMW to abandon aircraft work, and the company built its first motorcycle, the R32, in 1923. Automotive production began in 1928 with the licensed Austin Seven sold as the BMW Dixi. The post-war 1962 Neue Klasse 1500 sedan re-established BMW as a sport-sedan specialist.

FIG.01·About BMW
ItemBMW
Founded1916
Founded byKarl Rapp, Franz Josef Popp, Camillo Castiglioni
HeadquartersMunich, Germany
Slogan«The Ultimate Driving Machine»
Models tracked here101 (1981–2026)
Assembled in2 countries
ROWS 6·SOURCE ForCar Editorial + NHTSA VIN records

Technology it is known for: xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive, TwinPower Turbo engines, iDrive infotainment, M Performance powertrain tuning, Adaptive M Suspension.

This page covers BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG), the German automaker — not the BMW Welt museum or BMW M GmbH performance subsidiary.

Where BMW cars are actually built

A badge says where a company is registered, not where its cars were bolted together. The first three characters of any VIN — the world manufacturer identifier — say the second thing, and that is what we counted: 13,268 vehicles on record, 12 distinct manufacturer codes.

FIG.02·Where BMW cars are built
Assembled inShareVIN starts withYears seen
Germany64.6%WBA, WBX, WBS, WB11982–2026
the United States35.4%5UX, 4US, 5YM1995–2026
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA records, grouped by VIN manufacturer code

Read your own: the first character is the region, the first three together identify the plant's manufacturer. A BMW beginning WBA was assembled in Germany.

All BMW models 105

Every BMW model we track, grouped by body type. Click any model for its VIN decoder, recalls, MPG, safety and ForCar Reliability Score — broken down by year.

SUVs & crossovers 7Cars & sedans 91More models 7

BMW SUVs & crossovers 7

BMW SUVs & crossovers by the numbers
ModelYearsRecallsComplaintsBest MPGForCar score
BMW X52000–20261982,98227 mpg4.0/5
BMW X32004–20261272,24830 mpg4.0/5
BMW X62008–20269910424 mpg3.5/5
BMW X72019–20265529323 mpg3.5/5
BMW X42015–2025437525 mpg3.5/5
BMW iX2022–20263011497 mpg3.0/5
BMW XM2023–2026131114 mpg4.0/5
ROWS 7·SOURCE NHTSA + EPA + ForCar

BMW Cars & sedans 91

BMW Cars & sedans by the numbers
ModelYearsRecallsComplaintsBest MPGForCar score
BMW M31988–20267856529 mpg4.0/5
BMW M42015–2026244630 mpg4.0/5
BMW M51988–20264321620 mpg4.0/5
BMW i82014–202081028 mpg4.5/5
BMW M22016–2026102627 mpg4.5/5
BMW X12012–20264352728 mpg4.5/5
BMW i32014–202117181124 mpg4.0/5
BMW i42022–20262210120 mpg3.5/5
BMW 328i1996–2016751,71127 mpg4.0/5
BMW 330i2001–20267512131 mpg4.0/5
BMW M82020–20256520 mpg3.5/5
BMW 335i2007–20174127526 mpg4.5/5
BMW M340i2020–2026187129 mpg4.0/5
BMW 540i1994–20263416428 mpg4.0/5
BMW 340i2016–20241—26 mpg4.5/5
BMW i72023–202621190 mpg3.5/5
BMW X22018–2026172628 mpg3.5/5
BMW i52024–20261028110 mpg3.5/5
BMW 430i2017–202625631 mpg3.5/5
BMW 325i1987–20065642622 mpg3.5/5
BMW M240i2017–2026111126 mpg4.0/5
BMW 740i1993–20264811328 mpg4.0/5
BMW Alpina2003–20121—17 mpg4.5/5
BMW 550i2006–20172924420 mpg4.5/5
BMW M61981–2019223117 mpg4.0/5
BMW 535i1985–20173944024 mpg4.5/5
BMW 335d2009–2011155827 mpg3.5/5
BMW 850i1991–20194920 mpg4.0/5
BMW 440i2017–20267—29 mpg4.5/5
BMW 228i2014–202517728 mpg4.0/5
BMW 230i2017–202612—30 mpg4.5/5
BMW 330e2016–202411631 mpg3.5/5
BMW 530i1994–2026507131 mpg3.5/5
BMW 528i1981–20163166127 mpg4.5/5
BMW 750Li2000–2022224319 mpg4.0/5
BMW 650i2006–2019174821 mpg4.0/5
BMW M550i2018–202382820 mpg4.0/5
BMW 320i1981–2018149728 mpg4.5/5
BMW M2352025–2026——27 mpg4.5/5
BMW 335is2011–201582521 mpg4.0/5
BMW M440i2021–202610630 mpg3.5/5
BMW 330Ci2001–2006228222 mpg3.5/5
BMW 760i2005–202618—21 mpg4.0/5
BMW 428i2014–20161311427 mpg3.5/5
BMW 435i2014–2016103825 mpg4.0/5
BMW 750i2001–2022244821 mpg4.0/5
BMW 550e2025–20261—25 mpg4.5/5
BMW 530e2018–2023111629 mpg3.5/5
BMW 740iL1993–20011614518 mpg4.0/5
BMW 635CSi1981–19891116 mpg4.5/5
BMW 328xi2007–20087—20 mpg4.0/5
BMW 135i2008–20142610023 mpg4.0/5
BMW 328iC1996–200023621 mpg4.5/5
BMW 325iS1987–1995121020 mpg4.0/5
BMW 328iS1996–2000——21 mpg4.5/5
BMW 750iL1988–1999152215 mpg4.0/5
BMW M235i2014–2024101927 mpg4.5/5
BMW 525i1989–20073816022 mpg3.5/5
BMW 325xi2002–200625—20 mpg4.0/5
BMW 760Li2003–202220316 mpg4.5/5
BMW M760i2017–20215116 mpg4.5/5
BMW 328d2014–20182418036 mpg4.5/5
BMW 128i2008–20143416222 mpg4.0/5
BMW 318i1981–1998158924 mpg3.5/5
BMW 840Ci1981–19964317 mpg3.5/5
BMW 640i2012–2019212326 mpg3.5/5
BMW 545i2004–2005——19 mpg4.5/5
BMW 325Ci2000–2006275522 mpg3.5/5
BMW 335xi2007–20087—20 mpg4.0/5
BMW 745Li2002–20057—19 mpg4.5/5
BMW 745i2002–20057—19 mpg4.5/5
BMW 850CSi1981–19956113 mpg4.5/5
BMW 530xi2006–20074—20 mpg4.0/5
BMW 840i2020–202614—25 mpg4.0/5
BMW M850i2020–20267—20 mpg4.5/5
BMW 740Li2011–202283222 mpg3.5/5
BMW 325iC1987–19957520 mpg4.0/5
BMW 535xi2008–2008——20 mpg4.5/5
BMW 645Ci2004–2005——19 mpg4.5/5
BMW 330xi2002–200624—21 mpg4.0/5
BMW 540d2018–20194—30 mpg4.0/5
BMW ALPINA B82022–20251—19 mpg4.5/5
BMW 2282026–2026——31 mpg4.5/5
BMW 325ix1986–1991——18 mpg4.5/5
BMW 525xi2006–20074—20 mpg4.0/5
BMW 528xi2008–2013212020 mpg5.0/5
BMW 328Ci1999–200041521 mpg4.0/5
BMW ActiveHybrid 72014–20151—25 mpg4.5/5
BMW 318ti1981–200031224 mpg4.0/5
BMW 535d2014–2016126430 mpg4.0/5
BMW 750e2024–20264—25 mpg4.5/5
ROWS 91·SOURCE NHTSA + EPA + ForCar

BMW More models 7

BMW More models by the numbers
ModelYearsRecallsComplaintsBest MPGForCar score
BMW Z42003–2026651,20828 mpg4.0/5
BMW Z31996–20021621824 mpg3.5/5
BMW Z82001–20033715 mpg4.0/5
BMW 733i1981–198411—4.5/5
BMW 633 csi1981–1984———4.5/5
BMW L71981–198822—4.5/5
BMW 533i1981–1984———4.5/5
ROWS 7·SOURCE NHTSA + EPA + ForCar

BMW by the numbers

What the federal records say about the marque. Each line links to the full breakdown by model and year.

FIG.03·BMW by the numbers
TopicBMWDetail
Recalls2,179 campaignsMost recalled: Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Owner complaints11,061+ filedMost reported: X5
Fuel economy124 mpg bestLeader: i3
Crash safety★★★★★ top rated8 models tested by NHTSA
Insurance$2,509/yr typicalCheapest: Z4
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA, EPA and HLDI records
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BMW hybrids & electric models

BMW's electrified lineup — 25 hybrids and 5 electric / plug-in. Click any model for its full powertrain, MPG and range by year.

BMW hybrids 25

BMW hybrids
ModelYearsBest figureRecallsForCar score
BMW M31988–202629784.0/5
BMW X52000–2026271984.0/5
BMW X32004–2026301274.0/5
BMW M42015–202630244.0/5
BMW M51988–202620434.0/5
BMW i82014–20202884.5/5
BMW X62008–202624993.5/5
BMW X72019–202623553.5/5
BMW 330i2001–202631754.0/5
BMW X42015–202525433.5/5
BMW M340i2020–202629184.0/5
BMW 540i1994–202628344.0/5
BMW 340i2016–20242614.5/5
BMW XM2023–202614134.0/5
BMW 430i2017–202631253.5/5
BMW 740i1993–202628484.0/5
BMW 440i2017–20262974.5/5
BMW 330e2016–202431113.5/5
BMW 530i1994–202631503.5/5
BMW M440i2021–202630103.5/5
BMW 760i2005–202621184.0/5
BMW 550e2025–20262514.5/5
BMW 530e2018–202329113.5/5
BMW ActiveHybrid 72014–20152514.5/5
BMW 750e2024–20262544.5/5
ROWS 25·SOURCE EPA + NHTSA

BMW electric & plug-in 5

BMW evs
ModelYearsBest figureRecallsForCar score
BMW i32014–2021124174.0/5
BMW i42022–2026120223.5/5
BMW iX2022–202697303.0/5
BMW i72023–202690213.5/5
BMW i52024–2026110103.5/5
ROWS 5·SOURCE EPA + NHTSA

Electrified variants from EPA fueleconomy.gov powertrain data. A model may offer gas, hybrid and electric versions across years.

BMW

Get a BMW window sticker by VIN

Recreate any BMW's original Monroney label — MSRP, factory options, EPA MPG and safety — free from the VIN.

BMW window stickers →

How to read a BMW VIN

Every BMW built since 1981 carries a unique 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It encodes where and when the vehicle was made, its engine and body — here's what each part means:

FIG.05·How to Read a BMW VIN
1–3 · WMI3MF
4–8 · VDSCM826
9 · Check5
10 · YearR
11 · PlantA
12–17 · Serial004352
  • WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a BMW and the country it was built in (real BMW codes below).
  • VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
  • Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
  • Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
  • Plant (11) — which factory assembled it.
  • Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Real BMW WMIs — the first 3 VIN digits by build country
  • Germany3MF · 3MW · 5UM · WAP · WB1 · WB3
  • USA4US · 5UX · 5YM
17 CHARS·SOURCE SAE / ISO 3779 · NHTSA vPIC

The remaining digits — engine (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard. To decode a VIN number position by position, including the year-code table and where to find the number, use our free tool.

Who owns BMW, and what you get

BMW is independent, German-owned. BMW competes in the global premium and luxury segment with sport-tuned sedans, SUVs and coupes priced above mainstream brands and against Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Genesis and Lexus. The Ultimate Driving Machine slogan, in active US use since 1975, signals BMW's emphasis on rear-biased dynamics, balanced chassis tuning and inline-six engines. The M division targets enthusiasts willing to pay a 30-50% premium for track-capable variants.

FIG.04·BMW ownership and warranty
ItemBMW
Country of originGermany
OwnershipIndependent
Basic warranty4 years / 50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty4 years / 50,000 miles
Assembly countriesGermany, United States
ROWS 5·SOURCE Manufacturer terms + NHTSA VIN records

⚠ Worth knowing before you rely on it: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, while basic cover here runs 4 years / 50,000 miles. See when BMW models actually start to break →

Everything on BMW
Recalls2,179 campaignsFuel economy124 mpg bestReliabilityEvery model rankedCommon problems15,132 complaintsCheck a VINBy production runCargo space92 models measuredDimensionsSize and weightWhat yours is worthValuation by modelInsurance costPer model, per stateWindow stickersOriginal Monroney labelsDecode a VINWhat each character means

BMW — frequently asked

Is BMW german?

BMW is a German company, headquartered in Munich and founded in 1916. The cars are a separate question: 64.6% of the BMW vehicles in our records were assembled in Germany.

Where are BMW cars made?

Across 12 manufacturer codes on record, assembly splits as: Germany (64.6%), the United States (35.4%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the manufacturer and plant country — that is where these shares come from.

Who owns BMW?

BMW is independent.

How many BMW models are there?

We track 105 BMW models spanning 1981–2026. The full list is above, ordered by how often each is searched.

What is the BMW warranty?

New vehicles come with 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 4 years / 50,000 miles on the powertrain. Terms vary by model year and market — confirm with a dealer.

Is BMW reliable?

It depends far more on the model and year than on the badge. Every BMW model is ranked by complaint rate here, along with the age at which each starts to fail.

Explore other brands

Brands like BMW
BrandModels trackedSearch demand
Chevrolet63 models11,309,600/mo searched
Nissan36 models10,648,030/mo searched
Dodge43 models10,417,330/mo searched
Lexus17 models9,453,470/mo searched
Jeep22 models9,110,460/mo searched
Kia25 models8,584,430/mo searched
ROWS 6·SOURCE ForCar catalogue
Model data and search demand from ForCar's catalog of 105 BMW models. Recalls, complaints and safety ratings sourced from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Brand facts compiled by ForCar Editorial. Last updated Oct 2026. Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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