BMW / X3 / 2021

2021 BMW X3 problems

Owners have filed 153 complaints about the 2021 BMW X3 with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 22.2% of them, narrowly the most common, ahead of engine at 15%. A further 17.0% were filed without a specific system named.

Complaints153

Crashes8

Fires4

Injuries3

Deaths0

What owners report breaking

Electrical system 22.2% · 34

Unknown or other 17.0% · 26

Engine 15.0% · 23

Structure 7.2% · 11

Forward collision avoidance 5.2% · 8

Vehicle speed control 5.2% · 8

Exterior lighting 3.3% · 5

Fuel/propulsion system 3.3% · 5

Severity

Of those complaints, 8 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire and 3 report an injury.

Reading the numbers

Across the 15 model years of the BMW X3 in this data, 2021 sits 7th by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.

Filings are rising, 106 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 39,500 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 107 complaints · 20.6% electrical system 2019 238 complaints · 20.2% electrical system 2020 142 complaints · 24.6% electrical system 2022 126 complaints · 13.5% electrical system

Compare all 15 model years →