BMW VIN decoder

X5, X3 and X6 lead 275 BMW recall campaigns since 2016 (cars and motorcycles); 3 investigations are open.

BMW

Decode a BMW VIN

15 BMW WMIs on file in vPIC. Decoded in this tab; never sent.

Seventeen characters; I, O and Q never appear.

The answer

Type a VIN and press Decode.

How to read a BMW VIN

  • BMW Group says the VIN location depends on model, market and equipment. The VIN can be engraved in the right front half of the car (under the front flap, in the right engine compartment, or on the right gas-strut support). It also appears behind the windscreen on the left and on a type plate on the left or right B-pillar. Source
  • BMW USA lists the engraved VIN on the right side of the engine bay, the nameplates on both sides of the car, and the area behind the windshield. The VIN also appears in the My BMW app under vehicle details. Source
  • BMW's NHTSA filing treats VIN positions 4 to 8 as one model code. Together they identify the line, series, body type, engine and restraint fit, plus the GVWR class on SUVs (BMW calls them MPVs in the filing). Source
  • The first three characters show which BMW entity built the car. WBA is BMW AG passenger cars, WBS and 3MF are BMW M GmbH, and 5UX is BMW AG SUVs (MPVs) built in the USA. Source
  • Position 11 is the plant. For model year 2027, BMW lists 9 = Greer, South Carolina (Spartanburg), 7 = Leipzig, 5 = Regensburg, C = Dingolfing, F = Munich and 8 = San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Source

BMW WMIs and plants

Germany and United States: 8 cars, 4 SUVs, vans and crossovers and 3 motorcycles, per vPIC October 2026.

BMW-only WMIs
WMIsRegistered toCountry · covers
3MF, 3MW, 5UM, WBA, WBYBMW AGGermany · cars
4USBMW MANUFACTURER CORPORATION / BMW NORTH AMERICAUnited States · cars
5UX, 5YMBMW MANUFACTURER CORPORATION / BMW NORTH AMERICAUnited States · SUVs, vans and crossovers
WAPBMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLCGermany · cars
WB1, WB3, WB4BMW AG MOTORCYCLESGermany · motorcycles
WB5, WBXBMW AGGermany · SUVs, vans and crossovers
WBSBMW M GMBHGermany · cars

BMW recalls

542 campaigns on file; 275 since 2016, naming about 9.7 million vehicles (summed across campaigns), 16 with a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. The X5 has the most, 67. Air bags (57), Electrical system (55), Power train (19), Engine and engine cooling (18), Structure (17) and Exterior lighting (15). One car: NHTSA or BMW.

BMW campaigns by model since 2016
ModelCampaigns
X567
X354
X639
X733
330i29
X428
530i22
X119
Z418
430i17
328i15
740i14
Latest BMW campaigns
FiledModelsComponent
October 20262021–2024 R 18Power train › Manual transmission › Seals/gaskets
August 20262024–2026 X3Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
July 20262020–2026 S 1000 RrElectrical system › Ignition
July 20262016–2018 330e Iperformance; 2018–2020 530e Iperformance; 2018–2020 530e Xdrive Iperformance; 2017–2019 740LE Xdrive IperformanceElectrical system › Starter assembly › Relay
July 20262024–2025 530i; 2024–2025 530i Xdrive; 2024–2025 540i Xdrive; 2023–2025 740iElectronic stability control (esc)
May 20262017–2018 C EvolutionElectrical system › Wiring › Connectors/plugs/receptacles
April 20262018–2025 K 1600 Grand America; 2017–2025 K 1600 GT; 2017–2025 K 1600 Gtl; 2017–2025 K1600BPower train › Manual transmission › Seals/gaskets
February 20262026 S 1000 RrExterior lighting › Turn signal › Switch
February 20262025–2026 550e Xdrive; 2024–2025 750e Xdrive; 2024–2026 I5 EDRIVE40; 2024–2025 I5 M60 XdriveElectrical system › Wiring
February 20262026 228i Gran Coupe; 2026 228i Xdrive Gran Coupe; 2026 M235I Xdrive Gran CoupeExterior lighting
January 20262022–2023 230i; 2021–2024 330i; 2021–2024 430i; 2021–2024 530iElectrical system › Starter assembly
December 20252025 I4 EDRIVE40Electrical system › Propulsion system › Cables
BMW campaigns with an NHTSA safety advisory
FiledAdvisoryModelsComponent
July 2026Park outside2016–2018 330e Iperformance; 2018–2020 530e Iperformance; 2018–2020 530e Xdrive Iperformance; 2017–2019 740LE Xdrive IperformanceElectrical system › Starter assembly › Relay
October 2025Do not drive2000–2001 X5Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
September 2025Park outside2022 230i; 2019–2021 330i; 2021–2022 430i; 2021–2022 430i ConvertibleElectrical system › Starter assembly › Relay
July 2022Do not drive2022 I4; 2022–2023 IxElectrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery
January 2020Do not drive2007–2012 X5; 2008–2012 X6; 2010–2011 X6 Activehybrid SacAir bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
January 2020Do not drive2000–2005 320i; 2000–2006 323CI; 2000–2005 323i; 2000–2005 323ITAir bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
November 2019Do not drive1999 323i; 1999 328iAir bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
October 2019Do not drive2000–2002 323; 2000–2002 325; 2000–2002 330Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Open BMW investigations (3)

How "open" is counted.

Open BMW investigations
OpenedSubjectModels
September 2026Driveshaft to rear differential connection failure (DP26009)2022 540i
March 2023High pressure fuel pump failure (EA23001)2014–2018 328d; 2014–2016 535d; 2018 540d; 2015 740LD
September 2021Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002)2008–2013 1 Series M; 2008–2013 128i; 2008–2013 135i; 2014–2016 228i

BMW owner complaints

Engine, Electrical system, Power train and Air bags lead for 2010-on model-years; the 2011 328i drew the most, 577 (unverified owner reports).

BMW model-years by complaints
Model-yearComplaintsCrashesFiresLeading component
2011 328i5771825Engine
2012 X5271410Engine
2011 X5263515Engine
2013 328i257248Engine
2013 X3226410Engine
2019 X519241Electrical system
2019 X317052Electrical system
2016 X115911Unknown or other
2017 X115630Power train
2010 328i15536Engine
2014 328d153511Engine
2014 328i152192Electrical system

Check any BMW model-year for recalls

Any make: recalls by VIN.

Data: vPIC October 2026; NHTSA, October 17, 2026. Not affiliated with BMW.