The 2016 draws 2 complaints per run and the 2018 1.2, a 1.7-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 3 years of age, so 50% land after the 4-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Engine, with 16 complaints, typically at 2.9 years.
BMW M4 years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 | 5 | yes | |
| 2016 | 22 | 11 | yes | |
| 2015 | 12 | 10 | yes |
Among the 3 BMW M4 years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2016, 2015, 2018; the three worth hunting are 2018, 2015, 2016.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 6.5% | covered | |
| 1 year | 26.1% | covered | |
| 2 years | 34.8% | covered | |
| 3 years | 50% | covered | |
| 4 years | 60.9% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 73.9% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 80.4% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 84.8% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 89.1% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 95.7% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 97.8% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 4 years / 50,000 miles. Only 50% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 50% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (4 years / 50,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 65% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the BMW M4, the early trouble is Engine and Power Train — reported at around 2.9 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Suspension at 4.6 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.9 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Power Train | 3.1 yrs | — | — | |
| Suspension | 4.6 yrs | — | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4.7 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 5.6 yrs | — | 2 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 2.3 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 5 yrs | — | — | |
| Steering | 7.5 yrs | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the M4's vehicle class. Per production run, the Honda Civic draws 2.82 and the Ford Mustang 3.87, against 1.44 for the M4. That is the fewest complaints of the group.
| Same class as the M4 | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Civic | 413 | 1981–2026 | |
| Ford Mustang | 315 | 1981–2026 | |
| Nissan GT-R | 9 | 2009–2026 | |
| Chevrolet Camaro | 204 | 1981–2026 | |
| Toyota Supra | 35 | 1981–2026 | |
| Nissan Sentra | 158 | 1982–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
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Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW M4 reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.44 against 3.73 for the average car, and fewer than each of the 2 class rivals we compared.
Which M4 years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2016, 2015, 2018. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2018, 2015, 2016. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do M4 problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 3 years of age. The most reported system is Engine, typically at 2.9 years, followed by Power Train.
Will the warranty cover M4 problems?
Mostly yes: basic cover is 4 years / 50,000 miles, and 50% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 65% of the complaints here.
Is the M4 more reliable than the Honda Civic?
Yes: 1.44 complaints per production run for the M4 against 2.82 for the Honda Civic.
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