Model year
2021 BMW X3
NHTSA lists 10 recalls and 113 complaints for the 2021 BMW X3 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). 1 recall marked park outside. The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (34), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (26), ENGINE (23). NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 16–27 mpg combined and 56 kWh/100 mi depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,050–$5,150, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2004 138 complaints
- 2005 103 complaints
- 2006 143 complaints
- 2007 98 complaints
- 2008 66 complaints
- 2009 19 complaints
- 2010 32 complaints
- 2011 113 complaints
- 2012 42 complaints
- 2013 226 complaints
- 2014 86 complaints
- 2015 105 complaints
- 2016 82 complaints
- 2017 92 complaints
- 2018 76 complaints
- 2019 171 complaints
- 2020 110 complaints
- 2021 113 complaints
- 2022 83 complaints
- 2023 15 complaints
- 2024 42 complaints
- 2025 38 complaints
- 2026 22 complaints
Recalls
26V056000 · Jan 30, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
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…
25V636000 · Sep 23, 2025
Park outsideELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
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…
24V764000 · Oct 15, 2024
STRUCTURE
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.
24V534000 · Jul 17, 2024
STRUCTURE
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.
23V211000 · Mar 29, 2023
SEATS
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.
21V199000 · Mar 24, 2021
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
21V096000 · Feb 19, 2021
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE; BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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…
20V601000 · Sep 30, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
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…
20V598000 · Sep 30, 2020
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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…
20V490000 · Aug 18, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
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.
Complaints
113 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 5, fire flag on 2, injury field 2, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| X3 HYBRID | 0 | 0 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M SUV AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| SUV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.171 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV RWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.172 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X3 M · 3L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $5,150 |
| X3 M Competition · 3L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $5,150 |
| X3 sDrive30i · 2L · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 25 | 29 | 27 | — | — | $3,050 |
| X3 xDrive30i · 2L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 23 | 29 | 25 | — | — | $3,300 |
| X3 M40i · 3L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 21 | 27 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
| X3 xDrive30e · 2L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline · Plug-in Hybrid | 21 | 27 | 24 | 56.0 | 340 | $3,400 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 BMW X3 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.