RoadVitals

2021 BMW X4

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

NHTSA has issued a “park outside” advisory affecting this model year.

Campaign 25V636000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.

Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Apr 7, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
8
Latest Jul 8, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 BMW X4, most frequently naming the engine, seat belts and powertrain (other) categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 168 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine233.3%
  • Seat belts233.3%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%
  • Suspension116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
26V438000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

Jul 8, 2026
318,495 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Supra, 2022-2025 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2023 5 Series, 2022-2026 Z4, 2023-2024 4 Series Gran Coupe, 4 Series Convertible, 4 Series Coupe, 3 Series, 2021-2025 X4, and 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
The risk: Fire increases the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on August 28, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning August 28, 2026. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall 26V056.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
26V056000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

Jan 30, 2026
87,394 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
The risk: Fire increases the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
25V636000NHTSA advisory: park outside

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY

Sep 23, 2025
199,674 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
The risk: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 7, 2026

I am reporting a safety concern regarding BMW vehicles equipped with the B58 Technical Update (B58TU) engine, commonly found on models from 2019 to 2021. The oil pump in these vehicles is failing prematurely. I was told this by service technicians at BMW and confirmed it through my own research. The oil pump failure is due to a plastic adjusting ring breaking. The result is severe oil pressure loss and engine failure. This is uncommon for a vehicle that has 65k miles. The engine failure comes without warning; there are no check engine light warnings. The vehicle's engine just fails I discovered the oil pump failure when I found it unusual that I had to add oil twice over a 6-month period. I took it to the dealer, where they informed me of the issue. This is extremely dangerous, especially when an engine locks up at high speeds on a highway.

NHTSA ID
11729655
Incident
Mar 27, 2026
Engine
Filed Feb 11, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 BMW X4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). While the vehicle was in park(P), there were abnormal sounds coming from the engine. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and the brake pedal was depressed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several occasions, but the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and was currently being diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ID
11717328
Incident
Dec 15, 2024
Mileage
70,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Feb 3, 2026

Went to sit in driver rear seat and put on my seat belt and found it frayed apart. Thought this was od and tried the rear passenger side only to find the exact same thing. Took it to the dealer in Visalia, CA. They said that they have never seen anything like that before. After discovering that both belts were broken in the same spot, they concluded it must be caused by wear in the retracting mechanism, but because the car was out of manufacturer's warranty they could only sell me new ones. I believe this is a very serious safety issue because as they were starting to fray apart the belts may have not had enough strength to restrain someone during an accident. Glad this was discovered before that happened!

NHTSA ID
11715323
Incident
Jan 10, 2026
Seat belts
Filed Jan 26, 2026

BOTH rear seat belts have broken off in the same spot. Went to use the driver's side rear seat belt and found it had been broken (frayed off). Moved to the passenger side and found the exact same thing. This could have been a bad situation if in an accident had occurred where they had not completely frayed but would have failed. Took it to my local dealer and they had no answers as to how this could have happened but suggesting that it most likely happened inside the recoil mechanism. They offered no other remedy other than to have me pay for replacement since the car was out of manufactory warranty,

NHTSA ID
11713399
Incident
Jan 10, 2026
Filed Jan 9, 2026

transfer case AWD/xDrive system drivetrain components The dealer diagnosed a transfer case failure on the BMW X4 xDrive. Vehicle displayed drivetrain malfunction warning. Repair estimate exceeds $20,000. The vehicle has under 50,000 miles. The issue appears consistent with known xDrive transfer case complaints. The warning light came on on January 7, 2026, at approximately 6 pm.

NHTSA ID
11709969
Incident
Jan 7, 2026
Suspension
Filed Feb 16, 2023

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Suspension How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Its giving head ache and body pain, driver & passengers are jumping / shaking / feeling very uncomfortable Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Dealer mentioned all good, it designed this way Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - yes by BMW Service center Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No The car's performance and handling is good, but the biggest concern is with suspension. Bad experience in the driver's seat and more bad in the passenger seat. I understand if the suspension is not performing in sport mode, but even in comfort mode the suspension is not even working 10%. Really frustrated and getting depressed. Why is it mentioned as comfort mode and not doing the intended job ? Why is the car being advertised and sold as it has Adaptive suspension ? really the car has suspension ? The car is wobbling / shaking and very rough even for very small bumps / uneven surfaces (the car is just falling into it). It gives a headache when driving on a speed breaker even at 5 MPH. I really feel like the car has no suspension. Mentioning and selling with comfort mode where it is not doing the intended job is definitely a defective and design flaw. I would not have purchased it if it does not has comfort mode. Its happening all the time and from 5 to 70 mile speed. Please help me on this.

NHTSA ID
11507631
Incident
Jan 2, 2023

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B110426

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

The manual starting of electronic engine oil level measurement from inside the vehicle, usually afterperforming an engine oil service task, is inoperative or it may lock up at between a 15% to 30% completionrate.

B010324

ENGINE

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 / delivery date.

B010324

ENGINE

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.

B661719

SERVICE BRAKES

The vehicle applies the brakes on its own when reversing onto an inclined roadway or driveway. This appliesonly to the situation where the Active PDC option is activated via the iDrive.

B650122

AIR BAGS

The limited warranty for the Knee Air Bag wire harness repair cable procedure for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.

B410722

STRUCTURE

While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the top of the B-pillar(s) is heard.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW X4 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025120—
2024320—
2023730—
2022361—
2021Viewing680—
20201410060.8
2019107054.9
2018111162.0
2017321—
2016102150.4
2015185157.3
2014010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.