NHTSA Data Explorer
BMW 850i
Data refreshed October 26, 2026
Select a model year to filter results to that year of the BMW 850i.
Complaints
13
Active records
Recalls
2
Active records
TSBs
7
Active records
Filing history
Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.
Reported severity
Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.
Deaths
0
Injuries
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Top reported issues — BMW 850i
Click a category to expand its values.
Condition issue
Lighting behavior
Thermal issue
Fluid issue
Reporting mechanism
Braking behavior
Engine behavior
Operating state
Safety restraint behavior
Safety restraint issue
Recent filings
The 10 most recent filings for each type.
1991 BMW 850I
Filed Oct 29, 2017
STARTED MY BMW 850I, DRIVE HALF A BLOCK DOWN THE STREET, THE AIRBAG BLOW , BURN MY HANDS. I CAN TAKE PICTURE OF THE BROKEN AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL IF NEEDED.
1991 BMW 850I
Filed May 26, 2004
THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ADJUSTER WAS BROKEN. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ADJUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT HIGH ENOUGH TO SHINE ON THE ROAD TO ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE LIGHTS WOULD ONLY GO ABOUT 15-20 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB
1991 BMW 850I
Filed Sep 4, 2002
BOTH HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT MECHAISMS HAVE REPEATEDLY FAILED. THIS IS AN ONGOING COMPLAINT WITH BMW 8 SERIES OWNERS. WHEN THE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FAILS THE HEADLIGHT BUCKETS POINT DOWNWARDS SO THAT THE AMOUNT OF ROAD VISIBLE TO THE DRIVER IS 25 FEET OR LESS. BMW HAS A FIX FOR THIS WHICH CONSISTS OF PEENING A PLASTIC ADJUSTMENT WHEEL TO THE ADJUSTMENT SHAFT. THIS USUALLY FAILS WITHIN SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES. BMW THEN SAYS TO BUY A NEW HEADLIGHT BUCKET... $4-500 TO FIX A $2.00 PART. …
1991 BMW 850I
Filed Jul 22, 2002
AFTER FAILURE, BMW TELLS YOU TO BUY NEW HEADLIGHT BUCKETS FOR $650 WITH NEW ADJUSTERS IN THEM, WHICH WILL FAIL AGAIN AFTER TWO TO FOUR YEARS, DEPENDING ON THE MILEAGE. AFTER FAILURE THE LIGHTS SHINE EXTREMLY LOW WITHOUT COVERING THE STREET IN FRONT OF YOU, RESULTING IN A REAL SAFETY HAZARD.
1991 BMW 850
Filed May 15, 2002
HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO HAVE PROPER ILLUMINATION WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY FOR DRIVER. ALSO, HEADLIGHTS DO NOT FIT PROPERLY INTO SOCKETS.*AK. CONSUMER STATES THE DEALERS SOULTION IS TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT AT $500.00 EACH WITH THE SAME PARTS THAT WILL FAIL AGAIN, THE ADJUSTERS FALL OFF ON THEIR OWN.*JB
1992 BMW E31
Filed Apr 25, 2002
HEADLIGHT BUCKETS ARE POINTING AT A 45 DEGREE DOWNWARDS, CAUSING A PROBLEM TO DRIVER TO SEE THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE BUCKETS AT FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS EACH. *AK
1991 BMW 850I
Filed Apr 24, 2002
HEADLIGHT HOUSING BROKEN. POINTS DOWNWARD.*AK
1991 BMW 850I
Filed Apr 18, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THE CONVERTIBLE HEADLIGHTS KNOB ARE NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY MECHANIC AND MANUFACTURE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED HOWEVER TO RESOLVE PROBLEM MANUFACTURE HAS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE LIGHTS FOR $400.00 PER LIGHTS. NLM
1991 BMW BMW
Filed May 31, 2000
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY 3 LANE HIGHWAY ENGINE TEMP GUAGE WENT TO READ LINE STEAM STARTED POURING FROM WNDER HOOD HAD TO PULL OFF HIGHWAY QUICKLY. *AK
1992 BMW BMW
Filed Mar 28, 2000
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION RESULTING IN COSTLY REPAIRS. (98V-178) *MJS