NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2021 BMW X4 Safety Record
The 2021 BMW X4 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 7 recalls and 6 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2021 BMW X4 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, leaving it without a Safety Index score or star ratings. However, the federal record details a substantial recall and complaint burden for this model year. Seven recall campaigns have been issued, addressing components from the electrical system to the fuel tank. Notably, one of these recalls includes a "park outside" directive. Additionally, six owner complaints have been registered. While this data does not directly assess crashworthiness, it points to a significant administrative safety footprint for the 2021 X4.
The 2021 BMW X4 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries a Heavy recall and complaint burden band, and is subject to seven recall campaigns including one park-outside directive, according to NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Heavy |
| Recalls on file | 7 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 6 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 BMW X4?
A park-outside directive from NHTSA and BMW on the 2021 X4’s starter-assembly recall flags a fire risk, immediately setting this model year apart. This urgent advisory is part of a substantial safety record: seven recall campaigns have been issued for the 2021 X4. Additional campaigns address the fuel system tank and seating components. Owners have filed six complaints, though unverified, with clusters appearing in areas related to the engine and seat belts. There are no crash-test results for this generation of the X4 within the federal record.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 BMW X4 have any recalls?
The 2021 BMW X4 is covered by seven recall campaigns. Component areas include the electrical system starter assembly, addressed in two separate campaigns, one of which carries a park-outside directive instructing owners not to garage the vehicle until the remedy is complete. Additional campaigns cover the seat assembly, the engine, and the fuel system gasoline storage tank. These are the only recall components documented in the federal record for this model year.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY26V056000
Risk: Fire increases the risk of injury.
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.
Reported 2026-01-30
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY25V636000
Risk: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Reported 2025-09-23
SEATS23V211000
Risk: An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat frame and back rest, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2023-03-29
ENGINE21V598000
Risk: Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2021-08-02
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY21V199000
Risk: Fuel may leak through the failed weld, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall is scheduled to begin May 17, 2021. Owners were also contacted by telephone. To date, all repairs have been done. No further owner notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2021-03-24
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA21V096000
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.
Reported 2021-02-19
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA20V598000
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2020-09-30
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 BMW X4?
Six owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2021 BMW X4. The top alleged problem areas are the engine and seat belts, each drawing two reports, followed by single reports touching the powertrain, suspension, and an unspecified category. None of the six reports allege a crash, fire, injury, or death. All complaints are unverified consumer allegations and have not been confirmed as defects by NHTSA.
6 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 BMW X4?
The 2021 BMW X4 carries a notable safety advisory regarding its park-outside starter recall, one of seven total recall campaigns. Prospective owners should verify via NHTSA's VIN lookup tool whether this or any other outstanding recall has been addressed on a specific vehicle.
- The 2021 BMW X4 has no NHTSA crash-test score of any kind. No star rating exists for this model year, and the absence of a rating does not imply a safety outcome in either direction.
- One of the seven recalls for this model year is a park-outside campaign tied to the starter assembly electrical system. Owners are directed not to store the vehicle in an enclosed garage until the remedy is completed, due to a fire-related risk pathway identified by BMW and NHTSA.
- Additional 2021-specific recall coverage spans the fuel system gasoline storage tank and the seat assembly, meaning the recall footprint for this year touches multiple vehicle systems beyond the electrical concern.
- All six owner complaints on file are unverified allegations. The engine and seat belts each account for two of those reports, but none allege a crash, fire, injury, or fatality, and NHTSA has not confirmed them as established defects.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 BMW X4 places
The 2021 BMW X4 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 BMW X4 safety questions
Was the 2021 BMW X4 crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 7 recalls and 6 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 BMW X4 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 7 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 BMW X4, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 BMW X4?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 6 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 BMW X4. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the BMW X4 2021.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.