Every 2021 BMW X3 recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Electrical System · NHTSA 26V056000
Jan 30, 2026Electrical System:Starter Assembly
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
- Risk
- Fire increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.
Full recall details for 26V056000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 25V636000
Sep 23, 2025Electrical System:Starter Assembly:RelayPark outside
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
- Risk
- A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.
Full recall details for 25V636000 →Structure · NHTSA 24V764000
Oct 15, 2024Structure
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2022 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the rear cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
- Risk
- Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicles in this recall were previously remedied for this issue under recall number 24V-534 and will need to have the new repair completed.
Full recall details for 24V764000 →Structure · NHTSA 24V534000
Jul 17, 2024Structure
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2023 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles. The attachment for the interior cargo rail may become damaged in a rear crash and result in the cargo rail detaching.
- Risk
- Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the rear cargo rail attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 24V534000 →Seats · NHTSA 23V211000
Mar 29, 2023Seats
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, 2020-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, 2021 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, and X4M vehicles. The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails.
- Risk
- An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat frame and back rest, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 23V211000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 21V199000
Mar 24, 2021Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, and X4, and 2021 X4 xDrive30i vehicles. The inlet check valve weld may fail, allowing the filling pipe to separate from the fuel tank.
- Risk
- Fuel may leak through the failed weld, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall is scheduled to begin May 17, 2021. Owners were also contacted by telephone. To date, all repairs have been done. No further owner notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 21V199000 →Back Over Prevention · NHTSA 21V096000
Feb 19, 2021Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
- Problem
- 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 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles.
When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Fix
- 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 customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 21V096000 →Back Over Prevention · NHTSA 20V598000
Sep 30, 2020Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
- Problem
- 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 iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Fix
- 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 customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 20V598000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 20V601000
Sep 30, 2020Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
- Risk
- The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
- Fix
- BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 20V601000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 20V490000
Aug 18, 2020Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.
- Risk
- A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 16, 2020. Although potentially affected BMW owners received interim owner notification letters, all potentially affected BMW owner vehicles have been remedied; therefore, BMW Final owner notification letters will not be necessary. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 20V490000 →
2021 BMW X3 complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 BMW X3, reporting 5 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries. BMW has issued at least 195 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Electrical System33
- Unknown Or Other25
- Engine23
- Structure11
- Forward Collision Avoidance8
- Vehicle Speed Control8
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (76)
- Electrical System (60)
- Structure (29)
- Visibility (21)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (18)
- Engine (14)
Read BMW X3 owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2021 BMW X3
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 BMW X3. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owned a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle in front suddenly stopped, and the contact moved over to the left lane and into the grass due to incoming traffic. The vehicle was 50 to 100 feet from a tree, and the vehicle crashed.”
2021 BMW X3Sep 10, 2026 · SC
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11763390
Fire
“Car spontaneously caught on fire. Total loss. Drove car home from haircut appointment 5 to 10 minutes away. Parked car as normal and went inside. Within approximately 5 minutes loud knock on door "Your car is on fire!”
2021 BMW X3Mar 22, 2026 · IL
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11726141
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owned a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated while parked and occupied in the vehicle, while shifting the gear shift into park, the vehicle accelerated independently and collided with a Tesla occupied by a mom and daughter, which was in front of her.”
2021 BMW X3Jul 8, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11671969
Crash
“I was slowly pulling into a parking space and as I applied pressure to the brakes, there was no response. In fact the car seemed to rev up and accelerate, jumping the curb and ramming a tree.”
2021 BMW X3May 4, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11520483
Crash
“ON APRIL 12, 2021 I WAS DRIVING MY 2021 BMW X3 AND AS I WAS PULLING UP INTO A PARKING STALL, MY VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH A BRICK WALL.”
2021 BMW X3May 7, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11415588
Check your X3 by VIN
Not every 2021 BMW X3 is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any BMW dealer.
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