BMW / X3 / 2021

2021 BMW X3 problems

Owners have filed 142 complaints about the 2021 BMW X3 with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 21.1% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine at 16.2%. A further 16.2% were filed without a specific system named.

Complaints142

Crashes5

Fires4

Injuries1

Deaths0

What owners report breaking

Electrical system 21.1% · 30

Unknown or other 16.2% · 23

Engine 16.2% · 23

Structure 7.7% · 11

Vehicle speed control 5.6% · 8

Forward collision avoidance 4.2% · 6

Exterior lighting 3.5% · 5

Service brakes 3.5% · 5

Severity

Of those complaints, 5 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire and 1 report an injury.

Reading the numbers

Across the 15 model years of the BMW X3 in this data, 2021 sits 8th by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.

Filings are rising — 95 in the last three years against 44 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.

The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 28,766 miles.

In owners' own words

The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Electrical system

The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Electrical system

The starter failed and car would not start, requiring replacement by the BMW dealership. Car is only 4 years old and had 29,699 miles at the time of replacement. Wondering whether noticed starter issues requiring replacement in 2021 BMW x3 m40i models in addition to other 2021 BMW x3 models that have been recalled and required starter/relay replacement. Electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Safety recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…

Other BMW X3 years

2016 120 complaints · 19.2% electrical system 2017 138 complaints · 21.7% electrical system 2018 103 complaints · 19.4% electrical system 2019 229 complaints · 20.5% electrical system 2020 141 complaints · 24.8% electrical system 2022 104 complaints · 15.4% forward collision avoidance

Compare all 15 model years →