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BMW F26 X4 common problems
2015–2018 · xDrive28i, xDrive35i, M40i (N20, N55). The known weak spots of the engines used in the F26, with sources, plus the topics that come up most in BMW's service bulletins and NHTSA recalls for this chassis.
Last updated
N20 engine
xDrive28i (2015–2018) · N20 bulletins →
Timing chain guide wear
BMW extended N20/N26 timing chain and oil pump drive chain coverage to 7 years/70,000 miles (SI B11 03 17), and a class-action settlement added partial coverage beyond that. A whine from the front of the engine is the warning sign.
BMW bulletins on file for the F26:
- SIB 11 03 17 Timing chain warranty extension Timing chain warranty extension on BMW E84/E89/E92/E93 and other models (2011–2018); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Oct 2021
N20 timing chain replacement: prices →
Sources: BMW SI B11 03 17 on NHTSA
Oil leaks and electric water pump
Valve cover, oil filter housing gasket leaks and electric water pump failures also come up on higher-mileage N20s.
BMW bulletins on file for the F26:
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
N55 engine
xDrive35i (2015–2018), M40i (2016–2018) · N55 bulletins →
Oil filter housing gasket, valve cover and oil pan leaks
The N55's most common repairs are oil leaks at the filter housing gasket, the plastic valve cover and the oil pan gasket.
N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG): prices → N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV): prices → N55 oil pan gasket: prices →
Electric water pump and thermostat
Like the N52 and N54, the N55 uses an electric coolant pump that eventually fails.
BMW bulletins on file for the F26:
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
- SIB 01 01 16 Thermostat warranty extension Thermostat warranty extension on N20/N52/N55 engines (2012–2017); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Dec 2017
N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices →
Charge pipe cracks
The plastic charge pipe between turbo and intercooler can crack, causing a sudden loss of boost; it's a shared N55/S55 weak point.
Most frequent bulletin topics 159 bulletins
| Topic | Bulletins | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel tank leak check warranty extension | 4 | SIB 01 09 21, SIB 01 15 24 |
| Instrument cluster | 4 | SIB 61 21 15, SIB 62 05 18 |
| Steering | 3 | SIB 66 24 19, SIB 36 01 21 |
| Engine new-car delivery hold | 3 | SIB 27 01 22, SIB 51 16 15 |
| Power window | 3 | NHTSA 11030320, SIB 51 08 19 |
| Coolant | 2 | SIB 17 01 22, SIB 12 33 14 |
| Battery | 2 | SIB 61 03 14, SIB 61 13 05 |
| Brakes | 2 | SIB 66 17 19, SIB 34 05 16 |
BMW service bulletins and warranty extensions filed with NHTSA that list the F26, grouped by topic. A bulletin tells technicians how to diagnose and fix a known issue; it doesn't mean every car has the problem.
NHTSA recalls by component 5
- water pump, plug connector · 1 recall24V608
- driver front air bag · 1 recall23V797
- inflator module · 1 recall16V683
- latch strap · 1 recall16V333
- exterior · 1 recall14V648
Matched from NHTSA's public recall file by model and model year. Recall repairs are free; check a VIN.
BMW warranty extensions that list the F26
- SIB 01 09 21 Fuel tank leak check warranty extension Fuel tank leak check warranty extension on BMW G01/G02/G30/F97 and other models (2006–2023); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Aug 2026
- SIB 01 15 24 Fuel tank leak check warranty extension Fuel tank leak check warranty extension on BMW G05/G06/G07/G11 and other models (2017–2020); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Jul 2026
- SIB 01 03 24 EVAP system warranty extension EVAP system warranty extension on BMW G01/G02/G05/G06 and other models (2017–2025); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Jun 2026
- SIB 65 01 22 Air bags warranty extension Air bags warranty extension on BMW G01/G02/F26/F97 and other models (2006–2023); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Jan 2025
- SIB 31 01 24 Strut warranty extension Strut warranty extension on BMW G01/G02/G80/G81 and other models (2015–2024); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Jan 2024
- SIB 01 12 19 Radiator warranty extension Radiator warranty extension on BMW G01/G02/G11/G12 and other models (2006–2023); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Jun 2023
- SIB 11 03 17 Timing chain warranty extension Timing chain warranty extension on BMW E84/E89/E92/E93 and other models (2011–2018); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Oct 2021
- SIB 11 02 21 Electrical class-action settlement Electrical class-action settlement on BMW E84/E89/E92/E93 and other models (2012–2018); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Sep 2021
If a car qualifies, the listed repair may be free. Check eligibility for the VIN with a BMW center.
Repair prices for these engines
N20 timing chain replacement N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG) N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV) N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat N55 oil pan gasket VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) N55 ignition coils (all six) N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement
Prices on these pages are for other chassis with the same engine.
Sources: BMW service bulletins and recalls filed with NHTSA (public data) and the specialist and owner write-ups linked above. Not affiliated with BMW.