BMW M340i

Where it stands out against its peers

• Engine: more complaints than 99% of 2020 cars — 71% of its 51 complaints, where an ordinary 2020 car has 20%.

Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.

Before you buy one

Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.

• ENGINE — 27 owners reported this
• ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — 3 owners reported this
• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 2 owners reported this
• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — 2 owners reported this
• FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — 2 owners reported this
• TIRES — 2 owners reported this

Specification

Recalls

Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.

77% of 2022 cars have more recall campaigns than this one, and an ordinary one has 3. More of them means more to check the service record for, not a worse car.

• 19V600000

  If the headrest folds down in a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury.

  BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear center headrest, free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

• 19V684000

  The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

  BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

• 19V755000

  If a person were inside the trunk compartment, they may not be able to get out, increasing their risk of injury.

  BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the interior trunk release cable and properly install the cable, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

• 20V164000

  If the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioners deploy improperly in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

  BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt buckles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

• 20V355000

  A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  BMW and Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear tie rods, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

• 20V761000

  Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.

  BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

• 21V096000

  If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

  BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

• 21V298000

  An improperly installed seat belt assembly may not restrain an occupant as expected, increasing the risk of injury.

  BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belt buckle assembly connection and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

5 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.

Regulator investigations

Opened by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation is a question the regulator asked about a possible defect, not a fault it found — most end without a recall.

• Pedestrian alert sounds

  Defect petition, opened January 2023, closed August 2023.

What the maker told its dealers

Service bulletins are the manufacturer's own repair guidance to dealers, filed with NHTSA. A bulletin is not a defect finding; the count rises with how many things a maker writes down, not only with how many go wrong.

BMW filed 46 bulletins about the 2023 M340i.

• Electrical system: 15
• Engine and engine cooling: 7
• Equipment: 7
• Exterior lighting: 3
• Structure: 3
• Visibility: 3
• Power train: 2
• Fuel system, gasoline: 1
• Latches/locks/linkages: 1
• Service brakes, hydraulic: 1
• Other: 3

• An interference noise (groaning noise) can be heard from within the heating and air-conditioning unit in thecenter of the instrument panel. The groaning noise always occurs when either a ventilation… · March 2024
• The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers… · February 2024
• Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material- · November 2023
• BMW AG has requested the inspection of all dealer stock of the following part number(s) listed below to ensure the spacer is conformed to drawing. · October 2023
• ?A software error may cause an unwanted pressure pulsation in the transmission during a "Remote Engine Start." · September 2023
• The left front suspension's aluminum strut dome (general area circled) was incorrectly riveted to the body's wheel-well. · August 2023
• Headlight check control (CC) message 128 "High beam headlight failure" is displayed. The following fault codes are stored during a vehicle test: 80419A - Left high-beam headlight: Short circuit… · July 2023
• Condensation is present on the inner surfaces in one or both taillights (circled). · July 2023

38 more.

Grouped by NHTSA's top-level system; a bulletin filed under a sub-heading counts toward its system.