2021 BMW X1 Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 47,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 27 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 24 city / 33 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 BMW X1 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2021 BMW X1. The part named most often is air bags, with 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and engine (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 47,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 37 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 16 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags4 40%
- Electrical system3 30%
- Engine2 20%
- Brakes1 10%
- Other or unknown1 10%
- Suspension1 10%
Example complaints
Air bags: “I was involved in an accident today and the front steering wheel airbags didn’t deploy The blue car in the pictures turned in front of me and I hit them”
NHTSA complaint #11523048, filed 2023-05Electrical system: “The car was displaying these messages: Frontal Collision Warning System: Malfunction, Brake intervention not available. Visual and acoustic ⚠️ warnings active. Consult service center. Daytime Pedestrian Warning reduced:Brake intervention not possible, but visual and acoustic warnings are still given. Consult service center. It was inspected by the dealership but they were saying that I have to pay $5,000 for it to be fixed which is not right because I think it is a manufacturer’s defect. They were blaming it to a collision which never happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #11521985, filed 2023-05Engine: “The contact owns a 2021 BMW X1. The contact stated that while reversing and parking the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that after the failure, the message “Engine HOT” was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally failed to start but was taken to the nearby residence. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11772967, filed 2026-10, 90,000 milesForward collision avoidance: “While I was driving my BMW X1 1 to 3 weeks ago, frontal collision warning malfunction, pedestrian alert and request service flashed. It was a distraction and not safe. When My husband brought it to the dealership, they were not certain how to fix it. They took a video while doing diagnostic. The right bumper is pop out a little bit because it got hooked to a protruding rod in a concrete parking block while I was parking in front of a food store in Raritan sometime last year. I did not have it fix yet because it was not so obvious and the aesthetics of the car was not much affected. …”
NHTSA complaint #11522577, filed 2023-05Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,000 and 59,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 BMW X1. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X1 · SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 14.3% risk |
| X1 · SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 15.7% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2021 BMW X1 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X1 sDrive28i FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 24 | 33 | 27 | $3,050 |
| X1 xDrive28i AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 23 | 31 | 26 | $3,150 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 21V554000Jul 21, 2021Seat beltsCovers: BMW X1 2021, Toyota Supra 2021, BMW 230I 2021 +22 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1…
Recall details for the 2021 BMW X1 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 37 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11035496Jun 26, 2026Engine. The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service /…
- 11032730May 5, 2026Engine. The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.
- 11017506Apr 29, 2025Body and structure. A groaning noise is present from the door frame of any door, most commonly when driving over rough roadsor during body flex. This situation may be worse in vehicles which are regularly waxed in th e…
- 11017273Apr 25, 2025Electrical system. As a result of a data input error, certain fault memories are permanently stored. The permanent storage offault memories does not comply with the legal specifications of the authority (California…
- 11009005Oct 12, 2024Electrical system. The “End of life” or “Emergency call system error” Check Control message appears in the vehicle. The following fault memory entry is stored: B7F341 – Emergency battery: Hardware faulty
- 10253346Apr 15, 2024Electrical system. The tailgate sporadically fails to open when signaled via- The interior button (driverâÂÂs door panel) Button on key fob The switch on the tailgate (inside or outside) In some cases, the tailgate…
- 10249435Jan 19, 2024Body and structure. Customer complains of a musty odor or damp front footwell carpet.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers…
- 10249023Jan 2, 2024Seats, Electrical system. Customer states one of the front seats is inoperative. The seat heater and power supply are inoperative. During the vehicle test, the seat module does not respond. The power supply fuse for the seat…
- 10247567Dec 20, 2023Fuel system, Engine cooling. Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel…
Other model years of the BMW X1
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 | 2,650 | 3 | 4 | 28 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 30 | 7,000 | 3 | 4 | 28 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 70 | 8,000 | 6 | 4 | 28 | 100 · More | Too new |
| 2021 | 10 | 47,000 | 1 | 5 | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 13 | 35,000 | 1 | 5 | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 13 | 39,673 | 3 | 5 | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 60 | 13,000 | 4 | 5 | 26 | 85 · More | Stable |
| 2017 | 156 | 50,210 | 2 | — | 26 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2016 | 159 | 42,000 | 3 | — | 25 | 57 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 52 | 90,000 | 2 | — | 26 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2014 | 55 | 90,000 | 2 | — | 26 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2013 | 38 | 96,000 | 2 | — | 27 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
All BMW X1 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 BMW X1 have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2021 BMW X1 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2021 BMW X1 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 2021 BMW X1 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2021 BMW X1 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 BMW X1 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2021 BMW X1 get?
The EPA rates the 2021 BMW X1 (X1 sDrive28i, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 24 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2021 BMW X1 reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 47,000 miles and the middle half falls between 35,000 and 59,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.