Representative 2022 model. Photo: JamesYoung8167, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2021 BMW X5 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2021 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 12
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 110
Latest campaign: Apr 20, 2022

Recall summary by component12

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Electrical system	3	Dec 9, 2020	20V761000 20V601000 20V490000
Service brakes, hydraulic	2	Feb 18, 2021	21V089000 21V062000
Visibility	1	Apr 20, 2022	22V267000
Seats	1	Mar 10, 2021	21V156000
Back over prevention	1	Feb 19, 2021	21V096000
Steering	1	Jan 29, 2021	21V031000
Suspension	1	Nov 4, 2020	20V678000
Exterior lighting	1	Sep 1, 2020	20V528000
Tires	1	Aug 14, 2020	20V483000

Safety recalls12

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Apr 20, 2022Latest campaign


Apr 20, 202222V267000	Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V267000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive); 2019-2022 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M; 2021-2022 X5 xdrive45e; 2020-2022 X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6M and 2019-2023 X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, X7 xDrive60i, X7 M60i, X7M, Alpina XB7 vehicles. The roof function control unit may be programmed incorrectly, allowing the sunroof to close without the key fob present inside the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems." Risk A sunroof that closes without the key fob present inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury. Remedy Dealers will reprogram the roof function control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 22V267000 · Apr 20, 2022
Mar 10, 202121V156000	Seats: mid/rear assembly head restraint In the event of a crash, the head restraints could detach, and increase the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V156000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5 xDrive45e, 2021 X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, and XB7 vehicles. The head restraints on the second-row outer seats may be the incorrect type for the vehicle. Risk In the event of a crash, the head restraints could detach, and increase the risk of injury. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X5, X5 Hybrid Campaign NHTSA 21V156000 · Mar 10, 2021
Feb 19, 202121V096000	Back over prevention: sensing system camera If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V096000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility." Risk If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 21V096000 · Feb 19, 2021
Feb 18, 202121V089000	Service brakes, hydraulic: critical fasteners A loose brake disc could affect vehicle handling and control, and increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V089000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i and X5 xDrive40i vehicles. The right front brake disc may have been assembled with incorrect fasteners, which over time, could result in the front brake disc becoming loose. Risk A loose brake disc could affect vehicle handling and control, and increase the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right front brake disc and replace it if necessary, along with the unaffected left side brake disc, free of charge. There are no owner vehicles affected; therefore, owner notification is not necessary and, as such, a planned owner notification date is not entered into the recall schedule. Owners may contact BMW's customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 21V089000 · Feb 18, 2021
Feb 10, 202121V062000	Service brakes, hydraulic A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V062000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance. Risk A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 21V062000 · Feb 10, 2021
Jan 29, 202121V031000	Steering: column A loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 21V031000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5M, X5 xDrive45e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i vehicles. The steering column shaft's universal joint connection may not have been tightened to specifications, and can become loose. Risk A loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, depending upon the inspection, either the bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, or the steering column shaft, universal joint, and bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under X5 Campaign NHTSA 21V031000 · Jan 29, 2021

Merged from NHTSA model names: X5, X5 Hybrid. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component110

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

110Complaints filed

9Involving a crash

3Involving a fire

7Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Electrical system	39	35	1	3	1
Power train	30	27	3	0	4
Engine	25	23	2	2	1
Unknown or other	18	16	1	0	1
Back over prevention	9	8	2	0	1
Engine and engine cooling	7	6	0	0	0
Air bags	7	6	3	0	1
Service brakes	6	5	1	0	0
Forward collision avoidance	5	5	3	0	1
Vehicle speed control	4	4	1	0	4
Structure	4	4	2	1	0
Steering	3	3	0	0	0
Lane departure	3	3	0	0	0
Seat belts	3	3	1	1	0
Fuel/propulsion system	3	3	0	0	0

6 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names X5, X5 Hybrid, X5 M.

Latest reports

Power train
“Description of Safety Concern: I am writing to formally submit a vehicle safety complaint regarding the xDrive transfer case on my 2021 BMW X5.”
Filed 10/07/2026 · ODI 11769659
Power train
“Problem with starter. They don’t start from first time, sometimes from 2-3. As I’m check it in forums, it can burn another parts and make fire.”
Filed 09/28/2026 · ODI 11767455
Power train
“My 2021 BMW X5 xDrive40i intermittently fails to start, occurring on approximately 80% of start attempts, and displays the message "Repeat Start Attempt." This has been confirmed by code reading to be a starter-related…”
Filed 09/23/2026 · ODI 11766408

Other BMW X5 model years

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2021 BMW X5 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2021 BMW X5 have?

NHTSA lists 12 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 BMW X5. The most recent, 22V267000 (reported April 20, 2022), concerns visibility. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2021 BMW X5 recalls for?

The largest group is electrical system, with 3 campaigns. Others: service brakes, hydraulic (2), visibility (1), seats (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2021 BMW X5?

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 39 complaints out of 110 filed with NHTSA (35%). Across all complaints, owners reported 9 crashs and 3 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2021 BMW X5?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

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Recall summary by component12

Safety recalls12

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

Seats: mid/rear assembly head restraint

Back over prevention: sensing system camera

Service brakes, hydraulic: critical fasteners

Service brakes, hydraulic

Steering: column