Most common 2021 BMW X1 problems
Share of the 9 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW X1 complaints by model year
Best X1 years: 2022, 2021, 2019. Years to avoid: 2023, 2024, 2016, 2017, 2025. Compare all years →
2021 BMW X1 recalls (1)
Seat belts
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…
Remedy: 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.
What 2021 BMW X1 owners say
Air bags
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 none about the air bag. The contact believed that the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X1. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 mph, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact mentioned the air bags failed to deploy from the intensity of the vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the driver sustained a broken right hand that needed medical attention and was unaware of the other vehicle injuries. The vehicle was towed to the body shop. The dealer was not contacted. The contact attempted to contact the manufacturer but there was no answer. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000. The VIN was not available.
Electrical system
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 additional repairs were completed. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The manufacturer confirmed that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle associated with the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
The car was displaying these messages: Frontal Collision Warning System: Malfunction, Brake intervention not available. Visual and acoustic warnings active. Consult service center. Daytime Pedestrian Warning reduced:Brake intervention not possible, but visual and acoustic warnings are still given. Consult service center. It was inspected by the dealership but they were saying that I have to pay $5,000 for it to be fixed which is not right because I think it is a manufacturer's defect. They were blaming it to a collision which never happened. A portion of the right side of the bumper came off sometime last year because as I was trying to park it, it got hooked to a rod in a parking block. It is not even obvious that's why I did not have if fix yet, not a priority for my budget. I need a car to go to work. …
2021 BMW X1 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | FWD | 24 / 33 / 27 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 23 / 31 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 BMW X1 a good car?
Based on 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 X1 rates better than average: 83% fewer complaints than a typical year of the X1 at the same age. It is one of the best X1 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 BMW X1?
The air bags — 4 complaints, 44% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (3) and driver assistance (2).
How many recalls does the 2021 BMW X1 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2021 BMW X1, the most recent from July 21, 2021 (seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW X1?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2021 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2024, 2016, 2017 and 2025. See the full BMW X1 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2021 BMW X1 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 35,000 miles; 67% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.