The BMW HP4 spans 1981–2014 with 2 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. It delivers up to 27 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The BMW HP4 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 2014 across multiple generations.
How to read a BMW HP4 VIN — every digit explained
Every BMW HP4 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- 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 this HP4.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- Germany3MF · 3MW · 5UM · WAP · WB1 · WB3
- USA4US · 5UX · 5YM
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your HP4, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the BMW HP4 have?
The BMW HP4 has 2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–2014. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2014 BMW HP4 recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
Risk. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2013 BMW HP4 recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
Risk. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Best and worst years for the BMW HP4
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the BMW HP4 — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common BMW HP4 problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the BMW HP4 — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
BMW HP4 specifications & dimensions
The 2014 BMW HP4. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the BMW HP4 window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
BMW HP4 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the HP4 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 89 cu ft of passenger volume and 15 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
BMW HP4 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the BMW HP4 get?
The BMW HP4 returns up to 27 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,850/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2013 BMW HP4 (3L 6-cyl) gets 22 mpg combined and costs about $3,500/yr to fuel, emitting 407 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 5/10, smog 8/10) — about $6,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 HP4 | 19 | 28 | $3,500 | 407 | 8/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2012 HP4 | 18 | 27 | $3,500 | 404 | 8/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2011 HP4 | 19 | 28 | $3,500 | 404 | 8/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2010 HP4 | 18 | 28 | $3,500 | 404 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2009 HP4 | 18 | 28 | $3,500 | 404 | 9/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2008 HP4 | 19 | 28 | $3,500 | 404 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2007 HP4 | 18 | 28 | $3,500 | 404 | 9/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2006 HP4 | 18 | 27 | $3,650 | 423 | 6/10 | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2005 HP4 | 18 | 27 | $3,650 | 423 | 6/10 | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2004 HP4 | 19 | 28 | $3,500 | 404 | 2/10 | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2003 HP4 | 18 | 26 | $3,650 | 423 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2002 HP4 | 18 | 27 | $3,650 | 423 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2001 HP4 | 18 | 27 | $3,650 | 423 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2000 HP4 | 18 | 26 | $3,650 | 423 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 1990 HP4 | 16 | 21 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 1989 HP4 | 16 | 21 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.5L 6-cyl | |
| 1988 HP4 | 18 | 24 | $3,100 | 444 | — | 2.7L 6-cyl | |
| 1987 HP4 | 19 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.7L 6-cyl | |
| 1986 HP4 | 19 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.7L 6-cyl | |
| 1985 HP4 | 18 | 25 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.7L 6-cyl | |
| 1984 HP4 | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.7L 6-cyl |
The 2014 BMW HP4 (2L 4-cyl) gets 27 mpg combined and costs about $2,850/yr to fuel, emitting 324 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 7/10, smog 6/10) — about $3,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 HP4 | 23 | 35 | $2,850 | 324 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 1999 HP4 | 20 | 30 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 1.9L 4-cyl | |
| 1998 HP4 | 20 | 29 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 1.9L 4-cyl | |
| 1997 HP4 | 20 | 29 | $3,350 | 386 | — | 1.9L 4-cyl | |
| 1996 HP4 | 20 | 29 | $3,350 | 386 | — | 1.9L 4-cyl | |
| 1995 HP4 | 19 | 29 | $3,500 | 404 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 1994 HP4 | 19 | 29 | $3,500 | 404 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 1993 HP4 | 19 | 28 | $3,500 | 404 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 1992 HP4 | 18 | 24 | $3,850 | 444 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 1991 HP4 | 17 | 23 | $4,050 | 468 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 1988 HP4 | 15 | 26 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 2.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1985 HP4 | 21 | 26 | $2,700 | 386 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 1984 HP4 | 21 | 27 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the HP4 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this HP4's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the BMW HP4 have? Power & range
The BMW HP4 is offered with 2 powertrains — 3L 6-cyl, 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | RWD | Premium |
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a BMW HP4 cost to own?
A BMW HP4 tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used HP4 is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this HP4 loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $14,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the HP4 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the BMW HP4 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the HP4 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Tired of ads? Go Pro.
- Zero ads — clean, fast pages
- Exact mileage-adjusted car values
- Full research reports + PDF
- Market charts & price-drop alerts
- …and much more
How many miles does a BMW HP4 last?
A well-maintained BMW HP4 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your BMW HP4’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this HP4’s VIN free →All BMW HP4 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the BMW HP4 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 HP4 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2013 HP4 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2012 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 2011 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 2010 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 2009 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 2008 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 2007 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 2006 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 2005 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 2004 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 2003 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 2002 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 2001 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 2000 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1999 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1998 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1997 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1996 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1995 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1994 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1993 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1992 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1991 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1990 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1989 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1988 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1987 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1986 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1985 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1984 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1983 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1982 HP4 | 0 | — | |
| 1981 HP4 | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the HP4?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the BMW HP4.
How many recalls does the HP4 have?
2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–2014. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all BMW recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the HP4 get?
Up to 27 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a HP4 last?
A well-maintained HP4 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the HP4 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the HP4 is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the BMW HP4 warranty?
New BMW models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a BMW dealer.
Where is the BMW HP4 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your HP4's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; BMW may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the HP4 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.