What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2021 BMW X3

Typical pattern

13.6% of complaints about the 2021 BMW X3 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2021 vehicle — around the middle of the 159 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.2 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (33 complaints), typically at 5.3 yr or about 50,000 miles.

Complaints
147
Median age at failure
4.2 yr
Median mileage
50,000 n=22
Crash / fire / tow
8.8% of reports
Safety recalls
10 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
33 reports · 50,000 mi
5.3 yr
3%
Other
24 reports
3.8 yr
8.3%
Engine
23 reports · 101,000 mi
5.1 yr
13%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

25V636000 2025-09-23 Do not drive
Electrical 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 circuit.

A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.

26V056000 2026-01-30
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 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.

Fire increases the risk of injury.

24V764000 2024-10-15
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.

Interior rear cargo rail detachment during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

24V534000 2024-07-17
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.

Interior cargo rail detachment during a rear crash can increase the risk of injury.

23V211000 2023-03-29
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.

An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

21V199000 2021-03-24
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.

Fuel may leak through the failed weld, increasing the risk of a fire.

21V096000 2021-02-19
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 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 x

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.

20V598000 2020-09-30
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 be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

20V601000 2020-09-30
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 hybrid battery cells during their production.

The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.

20V490000 2020-08-18
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.

A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 6,900 mi 4 mo in service
OUR CAR HAS JUST SHUTDOWN ALTOGETHER WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. ALSO, THE MAIN CONSOLE ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL HAS GONE COMPLETELY BLACK SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING.
Electrical system mileage not reported 1.0 yr in service
The high voltage battery recall has been open for 1 year, which any reasonable person would agree is far in excess of a reasonable amount of time as the issue is one that could lead to a fire / death.
Electrical system mileage not reported 1.3 yr in service
The contact leased a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V601000 (Electrical System) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Other mileage not reported 8 mo in service
Exploding rear passenger window glass sent fine glass particles and glass chips everywhere. Was driving from 5300 ft elevation to 10800 ft elevation so it appears to be caused by faulty glass and air pressure change causing an outward push of air pressure. Nothing hit the window. This was my first time driving the car. Any rear passengers would have been hospitalized due to glass in the eyes. BMW is denying the issue is with their product.

Other X3 model years

2022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004

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