BMWX42020Overview/bmw/x4/2020/base/

2020 BMW X4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 X4.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2020 BMW X4, a compact crossover coupe, pairs its automatic S8 transmission with an EPA-rated 14/19/16 mpg, reflecting the performance-oriented tuning of its platform. Owner feedback identifies steering, suspension, and wheels as the top trouble areas, and the model year carries 10 recalls. With 14 total complaints, 2020 marks the highest point in the X4’s complaint history from 2014 through 2026—far exceeding the 2 complaints recorded for the 2024 model—making this year a notable outlier in the nameplate’s reliability record.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/19/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428469100. 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.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 800 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/50R19/XL 105HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5; Option 1: Front: 8.5, Rear: 9.5; Option 2: Front: 8.5, Rear: 10 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428469100 alt 11429886567
Engine air filter13718581691 alt 13718577171
Spark plug12125A4EF60 alt 12122455258
Battery61217604808 alt 61216806755
Front wiper blades61617469820
Thermostat11539494425 alt 11539494424
Cabin air filter64119382885 alt 64119382886

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.4 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height63.8 in
Wheelbase113 in
Curb weight4323 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 65.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 19 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainAll-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 X4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.30 sec — 2020 M Competition
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020M Competition 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-63.30 sec11.60 sec503 hpAWD
2019M40i 3.0L Turbo I-64.20 sec12.90 sec355 hpAWD
2019M40i 3.0L Turbo I-64.70 sec13.10 sec355 hpAWD
2019M40i 3.0L Turbo I-64.80 sec13.40 sec355 hpAWD
2019xDrive30i (xLine) 2.0L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.80 sec248 hpAWD
2022M Competition 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-63.20 sec11.60 sec503 hpAWD
2022xDrive30i (M Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.70 sec248 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs14.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs168.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueRear: 26.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .882; Rear: .724

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M6 Bolts with 8.8 tensile strength84 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 180°22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 180°22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180°37 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 1,200 mi.

At 1,200 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)

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 2020 BMW X4 sits at the apex of the generation's federal complaint and recall activity, with 14 complaints and 10 recalls representing the highest counts in the entire year-by-year record, up from 9 complaints and 7 recalls in 2019 and significantly above the 6 complaints and 7 recalls recorded in 2021. TSBs remained elevated at 244, essentially holding near the 2019 peak of 269 before the downward trend that followed, while investigations stood at zero and the model logged one crash complaint alongside zero fire complaints. Top complaint areas were fragmented across steering/suspension/wheels, structure, electrical system, and suspension with only one entry each, so the data does not specify any dominant root cause behind the elevated volume. Relative to the 2018–2019 run-up and the gradual improvement seen from 2021 onward, 2020 marks the clear inflection point of maximum documented trouble. Given that concentration of both owner complaints and safety campaigns, a 2020 X4 carries the generation's highest federal risk profile, making it a weaker purchase choice than 2022–2024 examples that recorded notably fewer complaints and recalls.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
244
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
14
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering,Suspension,Wheels1
Structure1
Electrical System1
Suspension1
Electrical System,Air Bags,Seats1
Engine1
Seat Belts1
Air Bags,Seat Belts1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V598000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 30/09/2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW…

21V096000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 19/02/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 244 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B0102262026-05-21StructureSHARK FIN ROOF ANTENNA SEALING SETTLEMENT Extended Warranty
B0103242026-05-06EngineThe EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or…
B6617192025-04-30Service BrakesThe vehicle applies the brakes on its own when reversing onto an inclined roadway or…
B0630252025-04-29EngineCoolant Pump Return
B6501222025-01-06Air BagsThe limited warranty for the Knee Air Bag wire harness repair cable procedure for defects…

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 X4. 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 2020 X4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the X4 get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.