The most-reported 640i run is WBA6A0C54DD (2013 builds) with 2 complaints, 1.8× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 24% of reports; 2013 is the worst model year at 1.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for 640i model years 2012–2019.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The BMW 640i has 18 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 35% of every 640i complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBA6A0C54DD•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WBA6A0C53DD•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WBALW3C59CC•••••• | 2012 | — | 1 | |
| WBALW3C51DC•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WBA6A0C52DD•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| WBA6A0C55FD•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| WBALY1C55ED•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| WBALW3C53EC•••••• | 2014 | 1 | — | |
| WBA6A0C51ED•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| WBALW7C5EDX•••••• | 2014 | 1 | — | |
| WBAYPSC51ED•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| WBA6B8C5XED•••••• | 2014 | — | — |
Each of the other 6 640i runs has 1 complaint or fewer. ForCar has checked 11 640i VINs so far, most often 2015, 2016, 2017 builds.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the BMW 640i the gap between build years is 1.5×: a 2013 car draws 1.5 complaints per run, a 2014 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 2014 | 7 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2013 | 6 | 4 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2013 at 1.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2014 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 24% of everything BMW 640i owners report: Electrical System, 5 of 20 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 | 1 | |
| Engine | — | — | |
| Structure | — | — | |
| Wheels | — | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | — | |
| Air Bags | 1 | — | |
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Visibility/wiper | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on the BMW 640i; the 6 below cover build years 2012 to 2019. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 19V684000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 2018–2019 |
| 18V465000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 2018 |
| 16V914000 | Air Bags | 2017 |
| 24V527000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 2015 |
| 16V746000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2012 |
| 14V176000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 2012 |
19V684000 was opened in 2019 on cars built from 2018: 1 year on the road before the recall.
The 640i against its rivals
The 640i draws 1.1 complaints per production run; the Jaguar XJS 1.2. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 640i | 20 | 18 | 10% | |
| Jaguar XJS | 72 | 62 | 5.6% |
How serious were they
Of the 20 reports on the BMW 640i, 10% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | BMW 640i | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 20 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 2 (10%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 1 (5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 72% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The BMW 640i share of that is 20 complaints over 18 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a BMW 640i VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 20 NHTSA complaints from 18 640i runs and 6 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which 640i production run has the most complaints?
WBA6A0C54DD, a 2013 build, with 2 complaints. The typical 640i run has 1.1.
Which 640i years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2013 is heaviest at 1.5 complaints per run and 2014 lightest at 1.
Does the 640i get more complaints than the Jaguar XJS?
No: 1.1 complaints per production run for the 640i against 1.2 for the Jaguar XJS.
How many 640i complaints involve a crash?
10% of 20 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.
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