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BMW VIN decoder

BMW is the core brand of the BMW Group, the Munich-based company that also owns MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. It builds sedans, coupés, estates, the X range of SUVs, electric models and, under BMW Motorrad, motorcycles. That breadth is one reason BMW holds more WMIs than most European brands.

Decode a BMW VIN

Enter all 17 characters to see the build details NHTSA holds and the recalls for that model year.

  • 333 model pages
  • 487 recall campaigns
  • 28,659 owner complaints
  • model years 1995–2027
  • 15 WMI codes in vPIC
  • origin: Germany

BMW at a glance

NHTSA data
BMW: key facts from NHTSA data
Country of originGermany
RegionEurope
NHTSA recall and complaint dataYes, model years 1995–2027
WMI codes in NHTSA vPIC15
Model pages333
Other model names in NHTSA data47
Vehicle recall campaigns487
Owner complaints28,659
Complaints reporting a crash1,211 (4.2%)
Complaints reporting a fire1,179 (4.1%)
Complaints reporting an injury959 (3.3%)
Complaints reporting a death22 (0.1%)
Data updatedSeptember 25, 2026

About BMW VINs

The group's plant list includes Munich and Dingolfing in Germany, Spartanburg in South Carolina and San Luis Potosí in Mexico. Spartanburg, BMW's large U.S. plant, builds the X3, X5, X6, X7 and XM, and NHTSA's vPIC database lists U.S. codes such as 5UX and 5YM under BMW's American manufacturing company. Mexican-prefix codes 3MW and 3MF are listed under BMW AG.

BMW is one of the best-documented European brands in U.S. data. NHTSA holds recall campaigns and owner complaints for U.S.-market BMWs, and this page summarises them by model. For a BMW built for Europe, the picture is different: our decoder relies on NHTSA's vPIC data, which is most complete for vehicles built for North America, so a European-market car may decode only partly. The notes below explain the codes and the differences.

NHTSA’s files hold 487 vehicle recall campaigns and 28,659 owner complaints for BMW vehicles from model years 1995 to 2027, summarised here on 333 model pages. The X5 has the most complaints (3,138), followed by BMW 328i (2,576) and the X3 (1,989). Of those complaints, 1,211 report a crash, 1,179 a fire, 959 at least one injury and 22 at least one death; the figures count complaints, not people.

BMW WMI codes

Source: NHTSA vPIC · 15 codes

The World Manufacturer Identifier is the first three characters of the VIN. NHTSA’s vPIC database decodes 15 WMIs to BMW; this is the complete list, with the manufacturer name, country and vehicle type vPIC records for each.

BMW WMIs in NHTSA vPIC (first 10 of 15)
BMW WMIs in NHTSA vPIC (first 10 of 15)
WMIManufacturer (vPIC)CountryVehicle type
3MFBMW AGGermanyPassenger Car
3MWBMW AGGermanyPassenger Car
4USBMW MANUFACTURER CORPORATION / BMW NORTH AMERICAUnited StatesPassenger Car
5UMBMW AGGermanyPassenger Car
5UXBMW MANUFACTURER CORPORATION / BMW NORTH AMERICAUnited StatesMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
5YMBMW MANUFACTURER CORPORATION / BMW NORTH AMERICAUnited StatesMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
WAPBMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLCGermanyPassenger Car
WB1BMW AG MOTORCYCLESGermanyMotorcycle
WB3BMW AG MOTORCYCLESGermanyMotorcycle
WB4BMW AG MOTORCYCLESGermanyMotorcycle
Show the other 5 WMIs
BMW WMIs in NHTSA vPIC, continued (5 more)
BMW WMIs in NHTSA vPIC, continued (5 more)
WMIManufacturer (vPIC)CountryVehicle type
WB5BMW AGGermanyMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
WBABMW AGGermanyPassenger Car
WBSBMW M GMBHGermanyPassenger Car
WBXBMW AGGermanyMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
WBYBMW AGGermanyPassenger Car

See the WMI code guide for how the codes are assigned.

BMW models in NHTSA data

333 model pages · by complaints

Each model page lists NHTSA’s recall campaigns and owner complaints for that model name, by model year and component. Models are sorted by complaints; the data covers model years 1995–2027.

BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints (30 of 333)
BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints (30 of 333)
ModelModel yearsRecall campaignsComplaints
X51999–20261033,138
328i1996–2016272,576
X32004–2026601,989
325i1995–2012201,281
Z42002–2023281,280
3 Series1995–20238841
528i1997–201614831
330i1999–202638813
335i2006–201613809
X12012–202620667
323i1998–201112563
530i1995–202531558
535i1995–201710472
750Li2005–202111467
328xi2006–20168460
M31995–202525442
5 Series1995–202316426
525i1995–201114379
X72019–202633307
325xi2000–201212306
330Ci2000–20067291
X3 SAV2007–20123274
R 1200 RT2004–201811267
550i2006–201611252
R 1200 GS2004–201822247
325Ci2000–20069247
540i1995–202521241
K 1200 LT1999–20092216
i32014–20198213
328d2013–20188211
Show 303 more BMW models
Other BMW models in NHTSA data, by complaints (303)
Other BMW models in NHTSA data, by complaints (303)
ModelModel yearsRecall campaignsComplaints
Z31996–20033207
X62006–202644204
X5 SAV2000–20139203
330xi1999–201114193
128i2007–20137184
X1 SAV2013–20177177
750i2005–20217170
530xi2006–20073158
528xi2008–20141158
428i2014–20167156
320i2000–20188154
135i2007–20136154
335xi2006–20156154
745Li2002–20086144
535xi2007–20141144
745i2001–20086128
7 Series1995–20128124
430i2017–202617122
545i2004–2005–122
740iL1995–20015120
iX2022–202512113
3251995–20123109
740i1995–202522107
M51995–202621105
650i2006–20175104
1 Series2000–2012398
X42014–20262991
3282006–2013185
K 1200 GT2003–2008983
i42022–20241180
K 1300 S2009–2015974
535d2014–2016673
R 1200 GS Adventure2005–20181272
K 1600 GTL2011–2025872
M340i2019–20231470
3352006–2013166
M Roadster1998–2008–66
K 1300 GT2009–2011765
K 1600 B2017–2025459
R 1200 R2006–20171057
228i2014–2024957
K 1200 S2003–20101153
435i2014–2016549
525xi2006–2011349
M42014–20261347
530e2017–2023646
C 650 GT Maxi-Scooter2012–2020446
F 650 GS2001–2012945
645Ci2004–2006–45
X5 Diesel SAV2011244
Z3 Roadster1998–2001–44
335d2009–2011643
K 1200 RS1997–2003443
R 1200 C1998–2003343
540iA1995–2002842
328iC1997–2000–41
S 1000 RR2010–20261440
F 800 GS2008–2025839
Motorcycle1995–2001–39
3181995–2001–38
318i1995–2003237
E461995–2004–37
535i US2011–36
330e2016–2024933
230i2017–20261032
740Li2011–2022932
K 1600 GT2011–2025931
323Ci2000–2006431
F 800 ST2007–2010331
M22016–2024630
530iA1995–2003530
R 1150 GS2000–2003230
760i2004–20251229
X22018–2026929
R 1250 GS2019–2023629
M550i2018–2023429
i52024–2025728
5281997–2000–28
7401995–2001–27
640i2012–2019626
6 Series2004–2012925
K 1200 R2003–2008825
R 1150 RT2002–2004225
M Coupe1999–2002–25
i72023–20251224
M62006–2019624
318ti1995–1999124
R 1250 RT2019–2024623
R Series1995–2007123
760Li2003–2015722
3201995–2002122
750iL1995–2001821
5251995–2002121
5401995–2002121
G 650 GS2009–2016220
R 1100 RT1996–2001120
M235i2014–2022519
550i Gran Turismo2010–2012318
340i2016–2024218
440i2017–2020616
5301995–2002116
328Ci2000–2006415
335is2007–2013215
R 1150 R2003–2004214
750xi2010–2016114
K Series2001–2004114
840i2019–2026913
M240i2017–2025713
F 800 S2007–2009313
318iC1995–2003312
XM2023–2025911
R11001995–2000111
R1100RSL1995–1996111
i82014–2020610
325xiT2000–2006210
528iA1997–2000110
K 1200 R Sport2004–200879
M440i2021–202579
F 650 CS2003–200549
320xi2012–201629
ActiveHybrid 32012–201529
R 1100 RS1995–200029
550xi2013–201619
R 182021–202419
R 1200 ST2005–200888
S 1000 R2014–202568
325iT2000–200558
G 310 R2017–202028
525iA1995–200267
R 1100 S1999–200457
5-Series Gran Turismo2010–201147
C 600 Sport Maxi-Scooter2012–201847
535i Gran Turismo2010–201227
Z82001–200227
435xi2014–201617
525iA Sport Wagon2002–200317
850i1995–201917
S 1000 XR2016–202346
1 Series M2008–201336
428xi2014–201626
F 650 GS Dakar2001–200726
i4 eDrive40202526
X6 SAV2008–201326
328xd2014–201516
R 1200 S2006–200845
540iAT1999–200135
318iS1995–199725
325iS199525
740iLA1995–200164
R 1250 GS Adventure2019–202354
M82019–202344
3302000–201134
F 800 GT2013–201734
750Lxi2012–201624
F 700 GS2013–201424
F 850 GS2019–202324
840Ci1995–199714
R 1200 RS2015–201714
X5 Hybrid2021–202214
X6 ActiveHybrid SAC2010–201183
R nineT2014–202053
540d201843
740iA1995–199943
3232000–200223
G 310 GS2018–202023
G 650 GS Sertao2013–201523
X5 M2010–201823
F 650200113
R 1100 R1995–199913
R Model200313
X6 M2008–202082
M850i2019–202362
G650X Challenge200742
750e2023–202432
R 1250 R2020–202232
325iC199522
ActiveHybrid 52013–201422
R 1150 GS Adventure2002–200322
R 1300 GS2024–202522
540iT200012
G 650 X US Moto200712
R 1300 GS Adventure202512
R1100RT-P1998–200112
525iT1995–200141
740Ld201531
i7 xDrive602023–202631
R 1250 RS2020–202131
R1200 HP22006–200831
550e xDrive2025–202621
740Le2018–202021
750iLA1995–199821
ActiveHybrid 72011–201421
C 400 X201921
M760i2019–202121
318iA199511
430i xDrive202511
528iT200011
530iTA199511
735i199511
740Lxi2013–201511
850Ci1995–199711
850CiA1995–199611
850CSi199511
CE 042022–202311
F 750 GS2020–202311
M 1000 XR2024–202511
R 1150 RS200311
R 1200 RT (Authority)2005–200911
R 1300 RT202611
R8501996–199711
X6 SAC2008–201411
750e xDrive2024–20266–
525iTA1995–20015–
745Le2019–20215–
530i xDrive2024–20254–
540i xDrive2021–20254–
G650X Country20074–
HP2 Enduro2005–20064–
i7 M70 xDrive2023–20244–
760i xDrive2023–20253–
G650X Moto20073–
HP2 Megamoto2007–20093–
HP2 Sport2007–20103–
i5 eDrive402024–20263–
i5 M60 xDrive2024–20253–
i7 eDrive502024–20253–
i7 M7020243–
228i Gran Coupe20262–
228i xDrive Gran Coupe20262–
318iCA19952–
323iT2000–20052–
540iTA20012–
740i xDrive2023–20252–
740iLP20012–
745e2020–20222–
750iLP20012–
840xi20202–
ActiveE20112–
B7 Alpina2005–20212–
C Evolution2017–20182–
F 800 GS Adventure2013–20172–
F 800 R2013–20172–
i4 M5020242–
i5 M6020242–
i5 xDrive402025–20262–
K 1300 R2009–20112–
M235i xDrive Gran Coupe20262–
M760Li2017–20212–
M8 Gran Coupe20202–
R nineT Pure2019–20202–
R nineT Scrambler2018–20202–
X5 Plug-In Hybrid20262–
135iS2008–20121–
228i xDrive2023–20241–
228xi2014–20161–
318iSA19951–
325iA19951–
325iCA19951–
325iSA19951–
330e iPerformance2016–20181–
330i xDrive20251–
340xi20201–
4 Series20231–
430i Convertible2021–20221–
525d xDrive20141–
530e iPerformance2018–20201–
530e xDrive iPerformance2018–20201–
530iT19951–
535i ActiveHybrid20121–
535iA19951–
540iA Sport Wagon20021–
550e2020–20211–
735iA19951–
735iLA19951–
740Le xDrive iPerformance2017–20191–
740xi2020–20211–
8 Series20231–
840CiA19951–
840i xDrive2022–20261–
850iA19951–
Alpina B820231–
Alpina XB720251–
C 650 Sport Maxi-Scooter2013–20181–
F 850 GS Adventure20201–
F 900 GS20251–
F 900 R20201–
F 900 XR20201–
G 650 X US Challenge20071–
G 650 X US Country2007–20081–
HP2 Mega Moto US20091–
HP42013–20141–
i4 eDrive3520251–
K 1600 Grand America2018–20251–
M 1000 R2024–20251–
M 1000 RR20221–
M340XI20201–
M5 Sportswagon20251–
R 1200 RT Police2014–20171–
R 18 B2021–20241–
R 18 Transcontinental2021–20241–
R 850 R20041–
R nineT Racer20181–
XB720211–

– means NHTSA has no records of that kind under the model name.

Other BMW models in NHTSA data

NHTSA also lists these BMW model names, but with no recall campaign and fewer than 25 complaints each, so they have no page of their own: 128i US, 135i US, 220i, 325ix, 328i US, 328iS, 328xiT, 335i US, 535, 640xi, 735, 740e, 740i US, 750, 750i US, 750ix, 750Lix, 850, 850GS, E36, E36 Series, E38, F 650 GS US, F 800 GS US, F 800 ST US, G 650 GS US, i3 Rex, i4 M60, i4 xDrive40, iX xDrive45, iX xDrive60, K1100, M3 US, MC R Series, R 18 Classic, R 100 RT, R 1200 CL, R 1200 GS Adv US, R 1200 R US, R 1200 RT US, R 1300 R, R1150, R1150RA, RT Series, X6 xDrive40i M Sport, Z3 Coupe, Z4 M40I.

How to read a BMW VIN

VIN notes

Which WMI codes does BMW use?

BMW holds more WMIs than most European brands because it builds cars in Germany, the U.S. and Mexico and registers separate codes for cars, SUVs and motorcycles. The table lists the BMW-make codes in NHTSA's vPIC database. Note that the country column reflects the letters of the code itself, which is not always the same as the country vPIC gives for the company's address.

BMW WMIs listed in NHTSA vPIC (checked September 2026)
BMW WMIs listed in NHTSA vPIC (checked September 2026)
WMIManufacturer (NHTSA vPIC)CountryVehicle type
WBABMW AGGermanyPassenger car
WBSBMW M GmbHGermanyPassenger car
WBYBMW AGGermanyPassenger car
WBXBMW AGGermanyMPV (SUV class)
WB5BMW AGGermanyMPV (SUV class)
5UXBMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North AmericaUnited StatesMPV (SUV class)
5YMBMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North AmericaUnited StatesMPV (SUV class)
4USBMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North AmericaUnited StatesPassenger car
3MWBMW AGMexicoPassenger car
3MFBMW AGMexicoPassenger car
WB1BMW AG MotorcyclesGermanyMotorcycle

vPIC also lists WMW and WMZ under BMW AG, but with the make MINI; those belong on the MINI VIN decoder. And it lists WZ1 under BMW AG with the make Toyota, so a VIN starting WZ1 is a Toyota-branded car, not a BMW. The WMI code guide explains why one company can hold codes used by several brands.

Do European-market BMW VINs carry a check digit?

Not always, especially on older cars. For BMWs sold in the U.S., 49 CFR Part 565 requires a check digit in position 9 and a model-year code in position 10. In the EU, a check digit has been mandatory only for vehicle types approved since 6 July 2022 (Regulation 2021/535), and from 7 July 2026 vehicles without one cannot be registered; earlier EU rules mirrored ISO 3779 and left positions 4 to 9 to the manufacturer. A European-market BMW VIN from an older model line can therefore fail a check-digit calculation without being altered. The EU still does not require a model-year code, so confirm any year against the registration document. See the European VIN decoding guide.

Other BMW Group brands

The BMW Group also owns MINI and Rolls-Royce. Each brand has its own WMIs, so the first three characters are the quickest way to tell which of the three built a car.

BMW VIN questions

4 questions

Why does my BMW's VIN start with 5UX instead of WBA?

5UX is a WMI that NHTSA's vPIC database lists for BMW's U.S. manufacturing company and for MPV-class vehicles, the U.S. category that includes SUVs. WBA is BMW AG's code for passenger cars from Germany. Both are genuine BMW identifiers.

Will a European BMW VIN decode fully?

Usually only in part. Our decoder uses NHTSA's vPIC data, which is most complete for vehicles built for North America. A BMW built for Europe will be identified as a BMW from its WMI, but model, engine and trim fields may be empty.

Does this page show BMW recalls?

It shows NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints for U.S.-market BMW models, by model and model year. To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask a BMW dealer.

Can a BMW VIN show accident or ownership history?

No. The decoder reads manufacturing information only. Title, accident, odometer and ownership records come from licensed history providers and are not part of this site.

Related brands

(n) = model pages · (—) = no U.S. data

Brands mentioned in the notes above, then other European brands, each with its own VIN notes and WMI list.

  • Mini (17) United Kingdom · 45 recall campaigns
  • Rolls-Royce (20) United Kingdom · 31 recall campaigns
  • Alfa Romeo (6) Italy · 34 recall campaigns
  • Aston Martin (21) United Kingdom · 35 recall campaigns
  • Audi (66) Germany · 214 recall campaigns
  • Bentley (29) United Kingdom · 55 recall campaigns

All 59 brands »

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files and NHTSA vPIC, updated September 25, 2026.