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Recall Campaigns
11
Federal recall campaigns
Urgent Safety Directives
1
Do Not Drive / Park Outside
Affected Subsystems
5
Electrical System, Body & Structure
Authorized Remedy
100% Free
Mandated dealer repair by law
Federal Safety Campaign Analysis

Executive Recall Findings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists 11 official safety recall campaigns for the 2021 BMW X3 in AutoUtility's current federal dataset. The primary affected vehicle systems include Electrical System, Body & Structure, Driver Assistance & Safety Tech. NHTSA records include 1 campaign carrying an official Park Outside safety advisory. The 2021 BMW X3 belongs to the 3rd Generation (G01) platform.

VIN Specificity Notice: Safety recall campaigns apply to specific production date ranges and vehicle identification numbers (VINs). Check your 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov or with an authorized dealer to verify whether a safety repair is open.
Campaign Status & Legal Rights
  • • Federal Authority: Recalls administered under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301.
  • • Free Dealer Remedy: Under federal law, safety defect repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers.
  • • High-Priority Warnings: 1 campaign(s) include urgent Do Not Drive or Park Outside instructions.
  • • Latest Campaign Filing: Recorded on July 8, 2026.
Federal Directives

Official NHTSA Recall Campaigns (11)

Complete safety campaign filings including defect descriptions, safety hazards, and free dealer remedies

⚠️ PARK OUTSIDE ADVISORY — Park outside and away from structures until remedy is completed.
NHTSA Campaign #25V636000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
Filed: September 23, 2025

What is defective?

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence

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

Authorized Free Dealer 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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.

NHTSA Campaign #26V438000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
Filed: July 8, 2026

What is defective?

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 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.

Safety Risk / Consequence

Fire increases the risk of injury.

Authorized Free Dealer 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. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning August 28, 2026. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall 26V056.

NHTSA Campaign #26V056000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
Filed: January 30, 2026

What is defective?

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence

Fire increases the risk of injury.

Authorized Free Dealer Remedy

Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.

NHTSA Campaign #24V764000 STRUCTURE
Filed: October 15, 2024

What is defective?

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence

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

Authorized Free Dealer 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. Vehicles in this recall were previously remedied for this issue under recall number 24V-534 and will need to have the new repair completed.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #24V534000 STRUCTURE
Filed: July 17, 2024

What is defective?

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence

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

Authorized Free Dealer 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.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #23V211000 SEATS
Filed: March 29, 2023

What is defective?

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence

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

Authorized Free Dealer 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.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #21V199000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Filed: March 24, 2021

What is defective?

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence

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

Authorized Free Dealer 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. No further owner notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #21V096000 BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Filed: February 19, 2021

What is defective?

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 xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Safety Risk / Consequence

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.

Authorized Free Dealer 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.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #20V598000 BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Filed: September 30, 2020

What is defective?

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."

Safety Risk / Consequence

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

Authorized Free Dealer 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.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #20V601000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
Filed: September 30, 2020

What is defective?

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence

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

Authorized Free Dealer 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. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA Campaign #20V490000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Filed: August 18, 2020

What is defective?

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.

Safety Risk / Consequence

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

Authorized Free Dealer 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. Although potentially affected BMW owners received interim owner notification letters, all potentially affected BMW owner vehicles have been remedied; therefore, BMW Final owner notification letters will not be necessary. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Manufacturer Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Subsystem Scope

Vehicle Systems Involved in Recalls for 2021 BMW X3

Distribution of official safety recall campaigns across automotive subsystem domains

01 5 CAMPAIGNS

Electrical System

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Electrical System subsystem.

31 Consumer Complaints →
02 2 CAMPAIGNS

Body & Structure

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Body & Structure subsystem.

11 Consumer Complaints →
03 2 CAMPAIGNS

Driver Assistance & Safety Tech

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Driver Assistance & Safety Tech subsystem.

14 Consumer Complaints →
04 2 CAMPAIGNS

Fuel & Propulsion System

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Fuel & Propulsion System subsystem.

6 Consumer Complaints →
05 1 CAMPAIGN

Seats & Interior

Safety campaign directives specifically targeting components within the Seats & Interior subsystem.

2 Consumer Complaints →
Fleet History

Recall History for BMW X3

Official safety recall campaign volume across sibling model years (2015–2026)

Model Year NHTSA Recalls NHTSA Complaints Detailed Report
2015 BMW X3 7 0 View 2015 Recalls →
2016 BMW X3 5 82 View 2016 Recalls →
2017 BMW X3 6 92 View 2017 Recalls →
2018 BMW X3 11 73 View 2018 Recalls →
2019 BMW X3 10 167 View 2019 Recalls →
2020 BMW X3 16 109 View 2020 Recalls →
2021 BMW X3 Current Page 11 105 Current
2022 BMW X3 8 69 View 2022 Recalls →
2023 BMW X3 4 11 View 2023 Recalls →
2024 BMW X3 4 35 View 2024 Recalls →
2025 BMW X3 9 35 View 2025 Recalls →
2026 BMW X3 2 0 View 2026 Recalls →
Consumer Checklist

VIN-Specific Recall Verification

How to confirm whether an individual vehicle requires an authorized safety repair

Safety recall campaigns apply to specific vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and manufacturing date ranges. To verify if your individual vehicle has an uncompleted safety recall:

  • Locate your 17-character VIN on the driver's side door jamb or dashboard.
  • Enter the VIN into the official NHTSA recall lookup at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
  • Contact any franchised BMW dealership to schedule a free remedy appointment.
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 711)
Related Workstations

Related Official Reports for 2021 BMW X3

Explore owner problem reports and crash safety ratings for this model year

← 2021 BMW X3 Overview

Key performance indicators, EPA fuel economy specs, powertrain variants, and summary ratings.

2021 BMW X3 Owner Complaints (105) →

NHTSA defect complaints breakdown across all vehicle subsystems and recurring symptoms.

2021 BMW X3 Safety & Crash Ratings →

NHTSA 5-Star NCAP crash test results, driver assistance systems, and rollover ratings.

2021 BMW X3 MPG & Range →

EPA fuel economy ratings, electric range, and annual energy cost benchmarks.
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Safety Recalls & Federal Directives for the 2021 BMW X3

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2021 BMW X3

How many safety recalls are on file for the 2021 BMW X3?

The 2021 BMW X3 is associated with 11 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns, affecting systems including Electrical System, Body & Structure, Driver Assistance & Safety Tech.

A recall campaign listing indicates that a safety defect or noncompliance standard was determined for specific production runs of this vehicle model year.

Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

Are there urgent 'Do Not Drive' or 'Park Outside' warnings for the 2021 BMW X3?

Yes. Federal recall records for the 2021 BMW X3 include 1 campaign with high-priority safety directives including a Park Outside advisory.

Urgent directives are issued when an unreasonable risk of severe injury or fire exists prior to authorized dealer repair.

Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database

Are recall repairs free for the 2021 BMW X3?

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge.

Federal law (49 U.S.C. Chapter 301) requires manufacturers and franchised dealers to provide authorized safety recall repairs at no cost to the vehicle owner. Because campaigns apply to specific production runs and option packages, vehicle owners must verify their 17-character VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls or through an authorized dealership to confirm individual applicability.

Source: National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (49 U.S.C. Chapter 301)

Does a recall campaign apply to every 2021 BMW X3?

Not necessarily. Model-year recall campaigns typically apply to specific vehicle production date ranges, assembly plants, or optional equipment packages.

AutoUtility's model-year records describe campaign scope; owners must check their individual 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls or through an authorized dealership to confirm if an open recall applies to their specific vehicle.

Source: NHTSA VIN Lookup Service
Official US Government Data Provenance

Recall records published on this page are retrieved directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Safety Recalls Database under 49 U.S.C. 30118.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.