2021 BMW X3Service bulletins
2021 BMW X3 Technical Service Bulletins
196 technical service bulletins (TSBs) are on record for the 2021 BMW X3. TSBs are notes manufacturers send to dealers about repair procedures for issues seen in the field. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault.
- 10199292May 1, 2021Engine, Equipment. B58 ENGINE: ENGINE OIL FILTER REMOVAL PROCEDURE AND TOOLS . A. For the B58 engines, a BMW Oil Catch special tool for use in conjunction with removing the engine oilfilter insert is now available.
- 10198899May 1, 2021Seats. B58 ENGINE: ENGINE OIL FILTER REMOVAL PROCEDURE AND TOOLS . A. For the B58 engines, a BMW Oil Catch special tool for use in conjunction with removing the engine oilfilter insert is now available.
- 10194310Apr 1, 2021Engine, Equipment. WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM FRESH AIR INLET (ENGINE COMPARTMENT): A whistling noise is present from the fresh air inlet area (engine compartment bulkhead area), in the right front area of the vehicle, at speeds above 40 mph.
- 10194309Apr 1, 2021Body and structure, Electrical system. AMBIENT LIGHT TUBE COLOR DIFFERENCES: The intensity or light throughout the door panel lighting strips is not consistent. Some spots are brighter than others.
- 10194299Apr 1, 2021Equipment. GLOVE BOX COVER: It is possible that an out-of-specification glove compartment cover on the passenger side was installed.
- 10194298Apr 1, 2021Brakes, Equipment. Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
- 10194296Apr 1, 2021Brakes, Steering. Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
- 10190867Mar 1, 2021Back-over prevention (rear camera). TOP VIEW CAMERA IMAGE IS MISALIGNED: The top view image of the vehicle is misaligned when observed in the Control Information Display (CID).
- 10190864Mar 1, 2021Back-over prevention (rear camera). WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM FRESH AIR INLET (ENGINE COMPARTMENT): A whistling noise is present from the fresh air inlet area (engine compartment bulkhead area), in the right front area of the vehicle, at speeds above 40 mph.
- 10190862Mar 1, 2021Exterior lighting, Air bags. LED LIGHT CARPET IS DIM OR DISTORTED: The light carpet may appear dim or distorted on one or both sides. .
- 10190860Mar 1, 2021Electrical system. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY SHAKES-SHIFTS TO THE LEFT: The Instrument cluster intermittently flickers, shakes and has shifted to the left.
- 10190857Mar 1, 2021Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). SUNROOF WATER LEAK DIAGNOSIS: This bulletin outlines multiple known areas of possible water entry for the vehicles listed above.
- 10190856Mar 1, 2021Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). SUNROOF NOT INITIALIZED: During operation, the sunroof may have lost initialization due to extended activation of the switch.
- 10190848Mar 1, 2021Equipment. FRONT AXLE SUPPORT WEDGE: Due to a parts list error in production, the vehicle was not built according to specification.
- 10188953Feb 1, 2021Equipment. SPORADIC FAILURE OR CRACKING NOISE IN BASS SPEAKERS: No Bass or a cracking noise can be heard from the bass speakers.
- 10188942Feb 1, 2021Equipment. GLOVE BOX COVER: BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop on a small number of Model Year 2021 BMW X3 SAV and X4 SAC vehicles that were produced on February 3, 2021.
- 10188941Feb 1, 2021Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). DOOR PAINT STREAKS: Streaks are found running mostly vertically down along the door outer skin from the lower window trim. This can affect any of the 4 side doors.
- 10188938Feb 1, 2021Engine cooling. COMBUSTION CONTROL VALVE LIFT AT IDLE: The vehicle will run rough or hesitate when accelerating from a stationary position.
- 10188937Feb 1, 2021Engine cooling. CONNECTING ROD BEARING: The engine must be replaced due to a crankcase manufacturing error. Do not deliver to a customer, a New, Certified Pre-Owned or Used vehicle subject to a Delivery Stop, until the vehicle is repaired. Do not use or sell replacement equipment/parts subject to a Delivery Stop.
- 10187483Jan 1, 2021Steering, Electrical system, Lane departure. LDW (LANE DEPARTURE WARNING) STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION NOT STRONG: Lane Departure Warning (LDW) steering wheel vibration is perceived as being not strong enough, even with the strongest setting selected via the iDrive menu. Software in the vibration actuator and /or steering wheel component.
- 10187481Jan 1, 2021Interior lighting, Body and structure, Equipment. FRONY DOOR PANEL LED FAILURES: The LED light on the front door is not working. Due to the orientation of the LED module, moisture may enter the LED module, causing corrosion.
- 10187473Jan 1, 2021Engine. CONNECTING ROD BEARING: The engine must be replaced due to a crankcase manufacturing error.
- 10186894Dec 1, 2020Electrical system. ?GESTURE CONTROL UNINTENDED OPERATION: The Gesture camera inadvertently detects movement and performs unintended operations.
- 10186892Dec 1, 2020Equipment. ?PROGRAM HEAD UNIT: Satellite radio content is not available over IP, this does not affect channels received over satellite.
- 10186232Dec 1, 2020Electrical system, Equipment. ?GESTURE CONTROL UNINTENDED OPERATION: The Gesture camera inadvertently detects movement and performs unintended operations.
- 10186230Dec 1, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. ?PROGRAM HEAD UNIT: Satellite radio content is not available over IP, this does not affect channels received over satellite.
- 10186226Dec 1, 2020Exterior lighting. ?DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT IS DIM OR DISCOLORED: One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored. The connection between the LED module and light tube inside the headlight is damaged.
- 10186225Dec 1, 2020Electrical system, Equipment. ?INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY SHAKES-SHIFTS TO THE LEFT: The Instrument cluster intermittently flickers, shakes and has shifted to the left. The fault is resolved once the vehicle goes into sleep mode. The fault can reoccur at any point.
- 10186224Dec 1, 2020Electrical system, Equipment. MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) IS ILLUMINATED WITH FAULT MEMORY CDC152: The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is illuminated in the instrument cluster. The vehicles has no operating failures; only the MIL is illuminated.
- 10186222Dec 1, 2020Electrical system, Equipment. REMOTE CONTROL KEY OR BMW DISPLAY KEY BUTTONS NOT WORKING: The buttons on the remote-control key or BMW display key are not working, not allowing to unlock the vehicle and the tailgate or trunk compartment. Also, the buttons on a spare key do not work either.
- 10186220Dec 1, 2020Equipment, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). SUNROOF NOT INITIALIZED: The sunroof will not operate and has the following fault codes stored: 030215 - SHD: invalid characteristic curve, no standardization exists and 030220 - SHD: System not standardized and 030295 - invalid characteristic curve, no standardization exists and 0302A0 - Service history: System not standardized. During operation, the sunroof may have lost initialization due to extended activation…
- 10186216Dec 1, 2020Equipment, Engine cooling. ?TANK VENTILATION DIAGNOSIS: There is software error in the diagnosis of the fuel tank ventilation valve. This error may result in the Service Engine Soon (MIL) light not being activated if a fault is found in the tank vent system after a second fault detection. This error will also disable diagnosis of the catalytic converter and oxygen sensor (if a fault is detected in the tank vent system).
- 10184595Nov 1, 2020Equipment, Back-over prevention (rear camera). TOP VIEW CAMERA: The top view image of the vehicle is misaligned when observed in the Control Information Display (CID). When the vehicle is parked in a parking spot with line markings, it is clearly noticed in the CID that the lines are not parallel to the side of the vehicle. This may be noticed on either the driver side, passenger side or both.
- 10184594Nov 1, 2020Back-over prevention (rear camera). SURROUND VIEW - PARKING VIEW IMAGES DISPLAYED INCORRECTLY: After programming and shifting into reverse, there may be various sporadic concerns regarding the rearview camera and the surround view (top view) camera images in the CID (Central Information Display).
- 10184588Nov 1, 2020Equipment. HEAD UNIT RESETS WITH FAULT CODE B7F8F9 RESET WATCHDOG: Customer states the following about their vehicle: Active radio or music source is interrupted. The navigation is no longer available. A black screen is shown in the Control Display.
- 10184585Nov 1, 2020Electrical system, Equipment. HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY CONDITION VERIFICATION (20V-601): After additional in-depth research and analysis of the corresponding data for these vehicles, we can safely conclude that the issue identified in Recall Campaign 20V-601 has been satisfied and no further repair is required.
- 10184584Nov 1, 2020Equipment, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Low Washer Fluid Warning Light is illuminated when the Washer Fluid Tank is Full: Low Washer Fluid Warning Light is illuminated when the Washer Fluid Tank is Full.There are no faults stored in the system for the washer fluid level switch.
- 10184574Nov 1, 2020Fuel system, Electrical system. TANK VENTILATION DIAGNOSIS: There is software error in the diagnosis of the fuel tank ventilation valve. This error may result in the Service Engine Soon (MIL) light not being activated if a fault is found in the tank vent system after a second fault detection.
- 10184573Nov 1, 2020Equipment, Engine cooling. CONNECTING ROD BEARING: BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective November 20, 2020) on a small number of Model Year 2020-2021 BMW vehicles that were produced between May 15, 2019 and October 23, 2020.
- 10182910Oct 1, 2020Equipment. ACTIVE AIR FLAP FAULT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR: A check control message or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) may be illuminated, with faults stored related to the upper and/or lower active air flap(s). Potential causes include: Faulty upper air flap actuator or flap assembly (G01, G02, G12, G30, G32) Faulty lower air flap assembly (G01, G02, G12, G30, G32) Software error in the DME affecting the upper flap (G01, G02…
- 10182908Oct 1, 2020Steering. INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WITH CHECK CONTROL MESSAGE (CCM): During multiple vehicle steering maneuvering or extended time at steering end stops (i.e. "full lock"), the check control message (CCM) "Increased steering effort, drive moderately" (CCM ID 997) may appear.
- 10182898Oct 1, 2020Body and structure. FRONT GRILLE UPPER/LOWER ACTIVE AIR FLAPS: LTD WTY EXT TO 15 YEARS/150,000 MILES: Component-Specific Limited Warranty Extension This component-specific limited warranty extension applies to defects in materials or workmanship. This coverage is subject to the same vehicle eligibility requirements, limitations, and exclusions that apply to the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks.
- 10182611Oct 1, 2020Electrical system, Body and structure, Equipment. ACTIVE AIR FLAP FAULT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR: A check control message or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) may be illuminated, with faults stored related to the upper and/or lower active air flap(s). Potential causes include: Faulty upper air flap actuator or flap assembly (G01, G02, G12, G30, G32) Faulty lower air flap assembly (G01, G02, G12, G30, G32) Software error in the DME affecting the upper flap (G01, G02…
- 10182609Oct 1, 2020Steering, Equipment. INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WITH CHECK CONTROL MESSAGE (CCM): During multiple vehicle steering maneuvering or extended time at steering end stops (i.e. "full lock"), the check control message (CCM) "Increased steering effort, drive moderately" (CCM ID 997) may appear.
- 10182605Oct 1, 2020Body and structure. FRONT GRILLE UPPER/LOWER ACTIVE AIR FLAPS: LTD WTY EXT TO 15 YEARS/150,000 MILES: Component-Specific Limited Warranty Extension This component-specific limited warranty extension applies to defects in materials or workmanship. This coverage is subject to the same vehicle eligibility requirements, limitations, and exclusions that apply to the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks.
- 10181226Sep 1, 2020Body and structure. ACTIVE AIR FLAP FAULT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR: A check control message or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) may be illuminated.
← All problems reported for the 2021 BMW X3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.