2021 BMW X3 problems and complaints
Owners have filed 110 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 BMW X3. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (33), Unknown Or Other (24), Engine (23).
Key takeaways
- 110 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 5 involve a crash, 2 a fire, 2 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 33 | 30% |
| Unknown Or Other | 24 | 22% |
| Engine | 23 | 21% |
| Structure | 11 | 10% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 7% |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 5% |
| Steering | 5 | 5% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 5 | 5% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 | 5% |
| Power Train | 5 | 5% |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 5% |
| Suspension | 3 | 3% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 BMW X3 SUV AWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2021 BMW X3 SUV RWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Steering,suspension - filed 2026-09-17
My vehicle was serviced at arrowhead bmw and they found most steering bushings were cracked front and rear, and only wanted $4,500.00 for repair
Electrical System - filed 2026-09-11
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V438000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive with the unrepaired recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and mad...
Forward Collision Avoidance - filed 2026-09-10
The contact owned a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle in front suddenly stopped, and the contact moved over to the left lane and into the grass due to incoming traffic. The vehicle was 50 to 100 feet from a tree, and the vehicle crashed. The contact stated that the braking system an...
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More for the 2021 BMW X3
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.