NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2021 BMW M440i Safety Record
The 2021 BMW M440i has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 5 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
NHTSA has not crash-tested the 2021 BMW M440i, so it carries no Safety Index and no star ratings from that program. What the federal record does show is a Moderate recall and complaint burden band, five recall campaigns spanning seat belts, air bags, back-over prevention, and the electrical system, and three owner-reported complaints. That picture neither confirms nor rules out strong crash protection; it simply means shoppers cannot draw on a federal crash score for this specific model year.
The 2021 BMW M440i was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries five recall campaigns, and falls in the Moderate recall and complaint burden band according to federal NHTSA records.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Moderate |
| Recalls on file | 5 |
| Owner complaints | 3 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 BMW M440i?
The 2021 model year earns a "Moderate" burden designation, a status largely influenced by its five recalls and a small but notable complaint file. The recall record is notably diverse for a single model year, touching multiple safety categories. Two distinct campaigns address seat belt concerns. An additional recall specifically targets the airbag system in the Convertible variant. Other recalls include a backup camera software issue and a battery electrical system concern affecting the xDrive Coupe configuration. This distribution across restraint systems, active safety sensors, and electrical architecture suggests a broad range of potential safety issues rather than a concentration in one area. The three owner complaints, while low in absolute number, contain allegations of a crash, a fire, and two injuries. Such incidents warrant attention, even in small volumes. No crash-test data from sibling years are available within the NHTSA records for contextual analysis.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 BMW M440i have any recalls?
The five recall campaigns on the 2021 M440i address: seat belt pretensioner concerns appearing in two separate campaigns, a side-impact air bag deployment issue specific to the 4 Series Convertible body, a backup camera sensing system fault shared with several BMW crossover and sedan lines, and a 12V/24V/48V battery electrical system concern covering the M440i xDrive Coupe among other models. NHTSA issued no park-outside or do-not-drive directive recorded in the data provided here, but owners should verify current remedy status by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
SEAT BELTS23V584000
Risk: An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the receiver audio module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2023-08-16
SEAT BELTS21V554000
Risk: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).
Reported 2021-07-21
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:THORAX21V176000
Risk: An air bag that deploys incorrectly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, at no charge. All affected vehicles are still in dealer inventory, and therefore no owner letters will be mailed. The recall began March 9, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2021-03-15
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA21V096000
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.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2021-02-19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY20V761000
Risk: Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2020-12-09
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 BMW M440i?
Three complaints have been filed with NHTSA against the 2021 M440i. The top components alleged are the Engine, Service Brakes, and an Unknown or Other category, one complaint each. Those filings include reported figures of one crash, one fire, and two injuries. All complaints are unverified consumer allegations submitted to NHTSA and have not been independently confirmed.
3 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 BMW M440i?
Any shopper considering a specific used 2021 M440i should run that vehicle's VIN through nhtsa.gov to confirm which, if any, of the five recall campaigns remain open and unrepaired on that unit before purchase.
- The 2021 M440i has no NHTSA crash-test stars or Safety Index for any configuration; shoppers cannot reference a federal crash score for this model year.
- Two separate seat belt recall campaigns affect this model year, covering pretensioner concerns across multiple 2021 BMW lines including the M440i.
- A dedicated air bag recall targets the 2021 430i and M440i 4 Series Convertible specifically, citing a risk of improper side-impact curtain deployment.
- A battery electrical system recall covers the 2021 M440i xDrive Coupe variant among other 2021 BMW models; VIN-level verification at nhtsa.gov is the only way to confirm remedy status on any individual vehicle.
FAQ2021 BMW M440i safety questions
Was the 2021 BMW M440i crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 5 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 BMW M440i have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 BMW M440i. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 BMW M440i?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 3 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 BMW M440i. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the BMW M440i 2021.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.