2021 BMW X3 Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 23%of 113 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2021 BMW X3, 23% of the 113 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The windshield on my BMW X3 has cracked 3 times and required replacement each time, in the past 3 years. I have owned it 4-1/2 years and driven it less than 35,000 miles. I have only had 3 other cracked windshields in the 58 years I have been driving so I am suspicious about the quality of the BMW glass.”
NHTSA complaint #11676680, filed 2025-07“To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this formal safety complaint regarding my 2021 BMW X3, which is currently subject to an active safety recall involving a potential engine starter defect that may result in a vehicle fire.BMW of North America has notified me that water may enter the engine starter, causing corrosion and overheating, which can lead to a fire even when the vehicle is parked and turned off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11712290, filed 2026-01“2021 BMW X3- RECALL 24V534---INTERIOR REAR CARGO RAILS--We have contacted BMW dealer several times and no remedy as of (9.3.24) The cargo rails and the vehicle body could separate from the vehicle body. The bolts are what need to be changed out and the dealer says they have no REMEDY. We want to make sure that we are safe. Please HELP! Thank you for your attention to this very time sensitive issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11612270, filed 2024-09“Unknown . The safety recall is extremely dangerous and I drive my child around. This is unacceptable and very unavoidable by providing a remedy or give me a new car. This is not my fault and my life and my family’s lives are in danger.”
NHTSA complaint #11698060, filed 2025-11“The car has keyless ignition and was accidentally left on/idling in the garage despite no one in the car and the key fob not present. The car was on for 8.5 hours in the closed garage and filled the house with exhaust, which includes dangerous carbon monoxide fumes, known to be lethal and nearly ended in tragedy. Luckily, my wife woke up for an unrelated reason to check on our daughter and smelled the fumes in the house and found the car running in the garage. …”
NHTSA complaint #11638813, filed 2025-01Related service bulletins
- 11008994Oct 11, 2024Delivery stop: rear cargo rails
- 10236229Apr 1, 2023Due to the semiconductor supply, the Local Interconnect Network module in either of the exterior mirrors was switched to another controller.
- 10227572Oct 1, 2022Service Action: Retrofit Satellite Radio. The Sirius(r) Satellite Radio is inoperative.
- 10227571Oct 1, 2022The seal of the roof-mounted antenna housing is separating from the vehicle.
- 10227566Oct 1, 2022After programming, the customer may complain that the Sport Mode display is not fully displayed in the instrument cluster. Instead of a red background in sport mode, the…
- 10206692Dec 1, 2021The SIM card installed in the telematics control unit (ATM2) connects to different mobile providers' networks. However, due to a missing parameter, this does not work and can…
Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 18% |
| 2025 | 3 | 8% |
| 2024 | 7 | 17% |
| 2023 | 1 | 7% |
| 2022 | 20 | 24% |
| 2021 | 26 | 23% |
| 2020 | 17 | 15% |
| 2019 | 43 | 25% |
| 2018 | 12 | 16% |
| 2017 | 9 | 10% |
| 2016 | 13 | 16% |
| 2015 | 13 | 12% |
| 2014 | 9 | 10% |
| 2013 | 15 | 7% |
| 2012 | 5 | 12% |
| 2011 | 7 | 6% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 5 | 8% |
| 2007 | 12 | 12% |
| 2006 | 4 | 3% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 6 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2021 BMW X3
34 complaintsEngine
23 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsForward collision avoidance
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 BMW X3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology