Home › BMW › X1 › 2021

2021 BMW X1 recalls and problems

The 2021 BMW X1 has 1 safety recall and 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Recalls
1
Complaints
11
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2021 BMW X1 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2021 BMW X1 recalls

Recall 21V-554: Seat Belts

Reported Jul 21, 2021 · 21,537 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).

2021 BMW X1 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags4
Forward Collision Avoidance3
Electrical System3
Engine2
Unknown or Other1
Service Brakes1
Suspension1
Seat Belts1

Most reported parts

  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 2
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 59,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2021 BMW X1 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Seat Belts · reported Nov 2, 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? SEATBELT WARNING ALARM WILL ACTIVATE WHEN SEATBELTS ARE FASTENED How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? MAY AFFECT VEHICLES ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? UNKNOWN Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? UNKNOWN Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first…
Engine · at 90,000 miles · reported Oct 22, 2026
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.
Air Bags · at 59,000 miles · reported Sep 18, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X1. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 10 MPH, she was involved in a head-on crash with another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The driver was transported to the hospital for level two severe trauma to the neck, head, and chest with pain. The contact stated that there was a possibility that the failure was caused by the dealer. There was an air bag system sensor malfunction at the time of the purchase. The dealer was called and provided the documentation for previous work performed, but there was…
Engine · at 35,000 miles · reported Aug 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X1. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the navigation screen was glitching and became inoperable. The service message was displayed. There was a red triangle with an exclamation mark displayed. The vehicle was difficult to start. The contact stated that the failure was caused by a failure with the grounding cable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the grounding cable was underneath the vehicle. The battery was previously replaced. No…
Service Brakes · reported Jan 24, 2026
At approximately 20,000 miles, the vehicle was inspected by an authorized dealer due to abnormal noises from the front suspension when turning the steering wheel. The dealer confirmed abnormal noise from the front struts when the wheels were turned while the vehicle was on a lift and diagnosed premature front strut failure. The affected components are available for inspection upon request. Repair was quoted but not performed. This condition involves a safety-critical suspension component and may affect vehicle handling, stability, and braking performance, particularly during turning or…

Other BMW X1 years

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012

Compare all BMW X1 years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 BMW X1 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2021 BMW X1: 21V-554 (seat belts). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 BMW X1?

Owners report air bags problems most often (4 reports), followed by forward collision avoidance (3). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 59,000 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.