BMWM440i2021Overview/bmw/m440i/2021/base/

2021 BMW M440i

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 M440i.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 BMW M440i, equipped with an automatic (S8) transmission and rated at 23/31/26 mpg, represents the first model year of this generation and, according to owner-reported data covering 2021–2025, it also holds the highest complaint count of the series with three total owner complaints—all focused on the engine—alongside five recalls. This places the 2021 model year at the peak of the model’s reliability concerns, as subsequent years show a decline to just one complaint by 2025, indicating that early teething issues were addressed over time. For a researcher, this positions the 2021 M440i as a critical baseline for studying initial quality and the effectiveness of later revisions.

Model year202620252024202320222021

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy23/31/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 11428583896. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428583896 alt 11428583897
Engine air filter13718635102
Spark plug12122455258
Battery61217604808 alt 61216806755
Front wiper blades61619478361
Thermostat11539494424 alt 11539494425
Cabin air filter64119382886 alt 64119382885

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.8 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height54.3 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight4171 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 62.6 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 31 / 26 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the M440i of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.8–4.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.80 sec — 2021 xDrive (M Performance)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021xDrive (M Performance) 3.0L Turbo I-6 + Elec3.80 sec12.30 sec382 hpAWD
2021xDrive (M Performance) 3.0L Turbo I-6 + Elec4.00 sec12.60 sec382 hpAWD
2021Convertible (M Performance) 3.0L Turbo I-6 + Elec4.10 sec12.60 sec382 hpRWD
2021xDrive (M Performance) 3.0L Turbo I-6 + Elec4.10 sec12.40 sec382 hpAWD
2021Convertible (M Performance) 3.0L Turbo I-6 + Elec4.20 sec12.70 sec382 hpRWD
2022xDrive Gran Coupe (M Performance) 3.0L Turbo I-6 + Elec3.90 sec12.40 sec382 hpAWD
2022xDrive Gran Coupe (M Performance) 3.0L Turbo I-6 + Elec4.00 sec12.50 sec382 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs168.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1422 ft. lbs

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 model year records show 3 federal complaints and 5 recalls, alongside a significantly high volume of 124 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). Compared to the 2022 model year, which logged 0 complaints and 59 TSBs, the 2021 variant exhibits higher initial activity in both consumer reporting and service guidance. By 2025, the data indicates a stabilization with only 1 complaint and zero recalls or TSBs, suggesting early-production issues were addressed over time. Specific 2021 complaints include single instances related to the engine and service brakes, alongside one recorded fire complaint, though the data does not specify the root causes for these isolated incidents. This places the 2021 model at the beginning of the recorded reliability arc, carrying the highest recall count and TSB volume of the period. While the low absolute complaint count is positive, the elevated administrative burden suggests later model years represent a safer investment for used buyers

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
124
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Engine1
Service Brakes1
Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V554000Seat BeltsReported 21/07/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4… 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…

20V761000Electrical System:12V/24V/48V BatteryReported 09/12/2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 124 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B0101262026-05-06EngineThe EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or…
B6404222024-02-16Electrical SystemAn interference noise (groaning noise) can be heard from within the heating and…
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…
B3601212024-01-08SteeringAt low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when…
B6105242024-01-05Electrical SystemThe Central Information Display goes black intermittently due to resets of the Head Unit…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific M440i. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2021 M440i have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the M440i get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined mpg.