BMWM22021Overview/bmw/m2/2021/base/

2021 BMW M2

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 M2.

Transmission Automatic (AM-S7)

The 2021 BMW M2 anchors the compact end of the M division lineup, pairing its high-output engine with a 7-speed automated manual (AM-S7) transmission. Routine service calls for a 6.8-quart oil fill of 0W-30 viscosity, while the EPA rates the car at 16 city, 23 highway, and 19 combined mpg — modest figures that reflect the model's performance brief. From a reliability standpoint, this model year is among the quietest on record, logging just a single owner complaint, top-categorized under suspension, alongside two recalls across the reporting period. That places the 2021 car well below the nameplate's 2017 peak of 17 complaints and even beneath the already-tranquil 2018 figure of three, giving researchers a useful benchmark for the M2 at its most trouble-free within the 2016–2023 window.

Model year202620252024202320212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/19 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 11428683168. 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.

Tire size245/35ZR19/XL (93Y), Rear: 265/35ZR19/XL (98Y)OEM · verified
Wheel / rim9, Rear: 10 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428683168 alt 11428637820
Engine air filter13727843284 alt 13727843283
Spark plug12120039634
Battery61216806755
Front wiper blades61615A43583
Thermostat11538632664 alt 11537586885
Cabin air filter64116821995 alt 64119237555

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3613 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 19 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 M2 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.4–4.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.40 sec — 2020 CS Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020CS Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-63.40 sec11.70 sec444 hpRWD
2020CS Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-63.60 sec11.80 sec444 hpRWD
2020CS Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-63.90 sec12.10 sec444 hpRWD
2020CS Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-64.00 sec12.20 sec444 hpRWD
2020CS Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-64.10 sec12.40 sec444 hpRWD
2019Competition Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-63.90 sec12.40 sec405 hpRWD
2019Competition Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-64.00 sec12.40 sec405 hpRWD
2019Competition Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-64.00 sec12.40 sec405 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.8 qt of 0W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.9 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantInfiniti BASF Glysantin G40 Coolant
Engine Oil0W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.8 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub221.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque21.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.118; Rear: .882

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 federal record shows a clear downward trajectory in both complaints and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the BMW M2 generation, falling from 5 complaints and 131 TSBs in 2016 to zero complaints and just 7 TSBs by 2023. After a spike to 17 complaints in 2017, the count dropped to three in 2018 and reached zero in 2019, indicating that early‑model issues were largely resolved. Recalls have remained minimal, with only one recall recorded in each of the years where data is available (2016, 2018, 2019, and 2023) and none in 2017, suggesting no systemic safety defect across the span. The 2021 model sits squarely within this improving arc, registering only a single suspension‑related complaint, zero crash or fire complaints, and no recalls, implying it benefits from the earlier fixes without new emerging problems. Consequently, 2021 is a strong year to consider for a used M2, as the data indicates it is among the most reliable and least problematic model years in the recent generation.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
31
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 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 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 31 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B4107252026-01-07StructureWhile driving on a smooth and/or unevenroad, a “cracking” sound is heard from therear…
B4107252025-08-20StructureWhile driving on a smooth and/or uneven road, a “cracking” sound is heard from the rear…
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…
B3101242024-01-09SuspensionWith the vehicle is on a lift and the front struts are in the extended position, there…
B5132182023-11-08StructureThe paint finish on the door jamb (above the door striker) is scratched due to the inner…

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 M2. 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

How much oil does the 2021 M2 take?

6.8 qt of BMW LongLife LL-01FE 0W-30 is recommended., per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 M2 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the M2 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.