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2020 BMW M8 problems, recalls and owner complaints

What the 2020 BMW M8 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.

  • 3safety recalls
  • 5owner complaints
  • 1crash report
  • 0fire reports
  • 14%fail the UK MOT

Every BMW M8 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.

What goes wrong with the 2020 BMW M8?

The components named most often in the 5 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.

  1. Vehicle Speed Control2 (40%)
  2. Electrical System1 (20%)
  3. Engine1 (20%)
  4. Forward Collision Avoidance1 (20%)
  5. Fuel/Propulsion System1 (20%)
  6. Power Train1 (20%)
  7. Service Brakes1 (20%)
  8. Visibility1 (20%)

Has the 2020 BMW M8 been recalled?

3 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility." NHTSA campaign 21V096000 · February 19, 2021 · Risk and fix

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance. NHTSA campaign 21V062000 · February 10, 2021 · Risk and fix

Risk: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Power Train: Automatic Transmission BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 M5 and 2020 M8 Gran Coupe, M8 Coupe, and M8 Convertible vehicles. The transmission wiring harness can become damaged, resulting in an electrical short circuit. NHTSA campaign 19V883000 · December 11, 2019 · Risk and fix

Risk: An electrical short circuit can cause the transmission to shift to neutral resulting in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace any damaged transmission harnesses. All harnesses will be rerouted and secured. These repairs will be performed, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 3, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Is the 2020 BMW M8 recalled in the UK or Europe?

Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.

UK DVSAThe integrated brake system hydraulic unit may have been produced incorrectly Recall R/2021/054 · Feb 22, 2021 · built Jun 2019 to Nov 2020 · Risk and fix

Risk: The Integrated Brake system hydraulic unit may have been produced incorrectly

Fix: Replace the Integrated Brake system hydraulic unit.

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSAThe cable lengths for the electric connection of the hall sensor inside the seatbelt buckle could be too short Recall R/2020/120 · Apr 22, 2020 · built Jan 2020 to Mar 2020 · Risk and fix

Risk: The cable lengths for the electric connection of the hall sensor integrated inside the seatbelt buckle could be too short.

Fix: R; The front seat belt buckles will be checked and replaced if they are found to be faulty.

Check on GOV.UK

UK DVSAIncorrect routing of the gearbox wiring harness Recall R/2019/443 · Feb 3, 2020 · built Feb 2019 to Sep 2019 · Risk and fix

Risk: An incorrect routing of the gearbox wiring harness could lead to wiring harness damage

Fix: On the affected vehicles the transmission wiring harness will be reworked

Check on GOV.UK

EU Safety GateDefective hydraulic unit of the braking system may cause a limited braking support and increased braking distance.Moreover, in such cases the ABS system would not be available. This will lead to increased risk of an accident. Alert A12/00590/21 · reported by Germany · Apr 30, 2021 · Measures

Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown

View on EU Safety Gate

EU Safety GateThe cable connecting the hall sensor with the seat buckle might be too short.Consequently, the sensor might detach from the buckle, causing a faulty seatbelt lock recognition, impairing the functioning of the restraint system and the deployment of the airbag, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident. Alert A12/00636/20 · reported by Germany · May 1, 2020 · Measures

Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown

View on EU Safety Gate

How often does the 2020 BMW M8 fail its MOT?

13.7% of 175 MOT tests in 2023 on BMW M8s first registered in 2020 were a fail1.4 points worse than the average car of the same age
  1. Tyres63%
  2. Number plates and VIN21%
  3. Lights and electrics17%
  4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks8%
  5. Brakes4%

Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2020, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.

What do 2020 BMW M8 owners report?

5 of the 5 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.

On [XXX]. My car went into unintended acceleration at full throttle of 8000 RPMs. The engine was stuck at maximum power and would not slow down. My car slide until it hit a curb and was forced to stop. However, the engine was still running at full maximum capacity at full unintended acceleration. My [XXX] son had to go to ER and it almost cost the lives of 4 other people. I am very scared to ever drive this car as it is now a threat to safety for everyone driving near this car. Please report this to the BMW NA manufacturer since they have their engineering looking at the vehicle. Please call…
Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control, EngineCrashNHTSA complaint 11710392 · Jan 12, 2026
Engine misfire and loss of power. Too to bmw for check up. It was coolant tank leak into injectors. BMW is not replacing the tank as part of recall. It is changing only injectors even though the recall specifically addresses the tank causing the issue. BMW argument is as part of recall this was checked and tank was fine so not replaced as part or recall. Now it is not under warranty. Why are they repairing injectors if the tank car is not under warranty they should replace the tank also as it is the bad part causing this. The car has only 14k miles.
Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11707818 · Dec 30, 2025
While driving, the vehicle immediately went into full unintended acceleration without any input from the accelerator pedal. I removed my foot completely from the pedal, but engine RPM increased to full 7000 rpm’s and the throttle was stuck there. The vehicle surged forward unexpectedly. The car spun in circles 180 degrees and wouldn’t stop. This was a sudden and unpredictable event. This created safety concerns for my [XXX] old and and we had to take him to the ER for his head injury. The car hit curbs and jumped onto the opposite side of traffic. BMW Dealer is currently opening a BMW STI case…
Vehicle Speed Control, Service Brakes, Forward Collision AvoidanceNHTSA complaint 11704468 · Dec 11, 2025
Fuel pump failed within a minute of initial warning and performance indicating a problem. While driving ~60 mph on the highway, available power dropped to zero within a couple tenths of a mile, *barely* allowing me to move to the shoulder. Screen error/fault indicated vehicle was ok to keep driving but to schedule service soon. Car restarted an ran for another tenth or two of a mile so I was able to move out of the dangerous shoulder off-ramp location to a slightly better shoulder location. Dealership diagnosed a failed fuel pump (10-20 psi of available pressure vs 60+ normally). They replaced…
Power TrainNHTSA complaint 11673452 · Jul 14, 2025
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BMW M8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT 55 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD BECAME FOGGY. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER HOWEVER, FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WAITED FOR THE WINDSHIELD TO CLEAR UP. THE CONTACT RESUMED NORMAL DRIVING. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF KANSAS CITY SOUTH (1200 W 104TH ST, KANSAS CITY, MO 64114) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO…
VisibilityNHTSA complaint 11355118 · Sep 15, 2020

2020 BMW M8: questions owners ask

Is the 2020 BMW M8 reliable?

NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 BMW M8; the most common categories were vehicle speed control (2, 40%), electrical system (1, 20%), engine (1, 20%). There are 3 safety recalls. 1 complaint mentions a crash, 1 injury was reported.

What are the most common problems with the 2020 BMW M8?

Across 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are vehicle speed control (40% of complaints), electrical system (20% of complaints), engine (20% of complaints), forward collision avoidance (20% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (20% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.

Does the 2020 BMW M8 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 BMW M8; the most recent (campaign 21V096000, 2021-02-19) concerns Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Check your own M8

Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2020 only; combines NHTSA's entries for M8, M8 CONVERTIBLE and M8 GRAN.

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