MYRModel Year Report

2021 BMW X3

● Typical for this model
2021 BMW X3
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:38:32.298Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
110
Recalls
11

Campaigns on file for 2021

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

2004: 138 complaints 2004 2005: 103 complaints 2006: 143 complaints 2007: 98 complaints 2007 2008: 66 complaints 2009: 19 complaints 2010: 32 complaints 2010 2011: 113 complaints 2012: 42 complaints 2013: 226 complaints 2013 2014: 86 complaints 2015: 105 complaints 2016: 82 complaints 2016 2017: 92 complaints 2018: 76 complaints 2019: 171 complaints 2020: 110 complaints 2021: 110 complaints 2021 110 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 39 complaints 2025: 39 complaints 2025 2026: 21 complaints
2004: 138 complaints 2004 2005: 103 complaints 2006: 143 complaints 2006 2007: 98 complaints 2008: 66 complaints 2008 2009: 19 complaints 2010: 32 complaints 2010 2011: 113 complaints 2012: 42 complaints 2012 2013: 226 complaints 2014: 86 complaints 2014 2015: 105 complaints 2016: 82 complaints 2016 2017: 92 complaints 2018: 76 complaints 2018 2019: 171 complaints 2020: 110 complaints 2021: 110 complaints 2021 110 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 39 complaints 2024 2025: 39 complaints 2026: 21 complaints 2026
2004: 138 complaints 2004 2005: 103 complaints 2005 2006: 143 complaints 2006 2007: 98 complaints 2007 2008: 66 complaints 2008 2009: 19 complaints 2009 2010: 32 complaints 2010 2011: 113 complaints 2011 2012: 42 complaints 2012 2013: 226 complaints 2013 2014: 86 complaints 2014 2015: 105 complaints 2015 2016: 82 complaints 2016 2017: 92 complaints 2017 2018: 76 complaints 2018 2019: 171 complaints 2019 2020: 110 complaints 2020 2021: 110 complaints 2021 110 2022: 81 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2023 2024: 39 complaints 2024 2025: 39 complaints 2025 2026: 21 complaints 2026

2021: 110 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2004138
2005103
2006143
200798
200866
200919
201032
2011113
201242
2013226
201486
2015105
201682
201792
201876
2019171
2020110
2021110
202281
202315
202439
202539
202621

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

28% · 31 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-03-22

Also filed under Engine

2021 BMW X3 M40i VIN# [XXX] Starter failed with the following BMW codes: [XXX] Starter Malfunction was displayed on the Dash and car took multiple attempts or waiting 10 seconds to start.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-09

Engine

21% · 23 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The engine mounts on my BMW X3 have failed. It is a known national issue with the car, it can be exacerbated by the star/stop feature. There are no warnings or recalls and the repair is several thousand dollara.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-04

There is an open safety recall for the engine starter on this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-10

Structure

10% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing body and tailgate.

Vehicle speed control

7% · 8 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-05-04

Also filed under Service brakes

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-05-07

Forward collision avoidance

7% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing automatic emergency braking and warnings.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-10

Safety timeline

11 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2020-10-12Electrical system20V490000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2020-11-18Back over prevention20V598000 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.

    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 customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2020-11-24Electrical system20V601000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2021-04-16Back over prevention21V096000 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,...

    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 customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2021-05-10Fuel system, gasoline21V199000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2023-05-22Seats23V211000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2024-12-12Structure24V764000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2025-01-02Structure24V534000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2026-02-06Electrical system25V636000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2026-03-27Electrical system26V056000 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...

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. A letter informing owners of the safety risk was mailed on March 27, 2026. Owners will receive another letter once the remedy is available.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2026-07-08Electrical system26V438000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Supra, 2022-2025 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2023 5 Series, 2022-2026 Z4, 2023-2024 4 Series Gran Coupe, 4 Series Convertible, 4 Series Coupe, 3 Series, 2021-2025 X4, and 2021-2024 X3...

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on August 28, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2021 BMW X3 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 23 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 20V490000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 20V598000 · Back over prevention
  • Recall 20V601000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 21V096000 · Back over prevention
  • Recall 21V199000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 23V211000 · Seats
  • Recall 24V764000 · Structure
  • Recall 24V534000 · Structure
  • Recall 25V636000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 26V056000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 26V438000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2021 BMW X3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 BMW X3 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2021 BMW X3?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 BMW X3 have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.