There are 3 stored owner reports matching the engine leading-label group for the 2021 BMW 4 Series in our NHTSA-sourced dataset. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
This group counts stored reports whose component label starts with one of this site's matching prefixes, ignoring case. Each matching report counts once within the group. Components mentioned later in the label or only in the narrative are not searched. How component counts work
Loaded 3 of 3 matching reports.
Open the full vehicle complaint log (all categories)The engine Unknown The problem was confirmed by BMW as they sent me a notice. Unknown Unknown
The component that malfunctioned is the engine starter relay, which is subject to an open BMW/NHTSA safety recall (issued September 2025) due to potential corrosion causing overheating, short circuits, and vehicle fire risk. The recall specifically advises parking the vehicle outside and away from structures until repaired. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.My safety and the safety of my family were put at risk because the dealership (Capitol Nissan in San Jose) failed to disclose this critical fire-risk recall before or during the sale on January 4, 2026, despite it being noted on the provided Carfax report (without any explanation of its severity). I only learned of the fire hazard and "park outside" warning when an authorized BMW dealer informed me during an inspection on January 5, 2026.The recall issue has been confirmed by an authorized BMW dealer on January 5, 2026.The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized BMW dealer, but not yet by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives.There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms that I noticed prior to purchase, as the problem is related to a latent defect covered by the recall. The issue was UNKNOWN to me until the BMW dealer informed me after the purchase.In addition, the dealership engaged in other fraudulent practices, including structuring my full cash payment as self-financed (with themselves as both seller and creditor) and adding unauthorized charges, but the primary safety concern prompting this report is the undisclosed fire-risk recall.
The recall was issued more than 8 months ago but the remedy is still not yet available, which is very concerning as the problem may cause the event of fire even when the vehicle is parked. Issued SEP 23, 2025 Description of Problem It is possible for water to contact and enter the engine starter. This could lead to corrosion which could cause a short circuit. Safety Risk This could increase the risk of a thermal event or fire during driving or even when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is off.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Aug 30, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.