2021 BMW 3 Series problems and complaints
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 BMW 3 Series. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (15), Engine (11), Unknown Or Other (5).
Key takeaways
- 33 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 1 involve a crash, 3 a fire, 2 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 15 | 45% |
| Engine | 11 | 33% |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 | 15% |
| Air Bags | 4 | 12% |
| Power Train | 3 | 9% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3 | 9% |
| Suspension | 2 | 6% |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 6% |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 6% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 3% |
| Wheels | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 BMW 3 Series 4 DR AWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| 2021 BMW 3 Series 4 DR RWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Engine - filed 2026-09-02
I am getting error code 21A50A and 216115 which Starter Overheating that can cause fire. Similar error code were coming on other cars and BMW have recalled it the recall number is 26V056. I ask BMW and NHTSA to include 330E in this recall as 330E is similar to 330I. 330I and 330E uses same parts and similar design and ...
Air Bags - filed 2026-07-17
The contact owns a 2021 BMW 330I. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, there was an audible alert heard, and a red air bag light was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failure in the driver’s side knee air bags. The air bags were replaced...
Engine - filed 2026-05-07
25V-636 This has been unresolved for 6 months with no sign of a fix. It’s a starter motor, not the space shuttle.
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More for the 2021 BMW 3 Series
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.