Car · BMW recalls
2021 BMW 3 Series recalls
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2021 BMW 3 Series, filed between August 18, 2020 and January 31, 2026. Each one is below with what is wrong and the free fix.
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| Part | Filed | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system: starter assembly | January 31, 2026 | Fire risk |
| Seat belts | August 16, 2023 | Crash risk |
| Seats | March 29, 2023 | Crash risk |
| Seat belts | July 21, 2021 | Crash risk |
| Seat belts: buckle assembly | April 28, 2021 | Injury risk |
| Back over prevention: camera | February 19, 2021 | Crash risk |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | February 10, 2021 | Crash risk |
| Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery | December 9, 2020 | Fire risk |
| Electrical system: traction batteryPlug-in hybrid only | September 30, 2020 | Fire risk |
| Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v batteryPlug-in hybrid only | August 18, 2020 | Fire risk |
Electrical system: starter assemblyFire risk
Trims named in this campaign: 330i
What is wrong. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
What could happen. Fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix. 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.
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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.
Seat beltsCrash risk
Trims named in this campaign: 330i, M340i
What is wrong. The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the driver to fasten their seat belt.
What could happen. An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix. Dealers will update the receiver audio module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2022 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 2022 430i Coupe, 2021-2022 430i, M440i Convertible, and 2020-2022 228i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles. The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the driver to fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
SeatsCrash risk
Trims named in this campaign: 330i, M340i
What is wrong. The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails.
What could happen. An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix. 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.
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BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, 2020-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, 2021 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, and X4M vehicles. The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails.
Seat beltsCrash risk
Trims named in this campaign: 330e, 330i, M3, M340i
What is wrong. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts.
What could happen. During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
The 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).
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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."
Seat belts: buckle assemblyInjury risk
Trims named in this campaign: 330e, 330i, M3, M340i
What is wrong. The bolt securing the seat belt assembly to the frame was not tightened to specification.
What could happen. An improperly installed seat belt assembly may not restrain an occupant as expected, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belt buckle assembly connection and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M3, and 330e xDrive vehicles. The bolt securing the seat belt assembly to the frame was not tightened to specification.
Back over prevention: cameraCrash risk
Trims named in this campaign: 330e, 330i, M340i
What is wrong. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate.
What could happen. 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.
The fix. 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.
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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."
Service brakes, hydraulicCrash risk
Trims named in this campaign: M3
What is wrong. 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.
What could happen. A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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.
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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.
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v batteryFire risk
Trims named in this campaign: M340i
What is wrong. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.
What could happen. Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.
Electrical system: traction batteryFire risk
Trims named in this campaign: 330e
What is wrong. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
What could happen. The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
The fix. BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v batteryFire risk
Trims named in this campaign: 330e
What is wrong. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.
What could happen. A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.
The fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Show NHTSA's full text
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.
Check that your car is on the list
Most campaigns cover only cars built in a certain date range or at a certain plant, so a 2021 BMW 3 Series may or may not be included. The VIN is the only sure test. It is 17 characters, on the dashboard by the windshield and on the driver door jamb sticker. Look up your VIN at NHTSA to see whether a campaign is open for your exact car.
How to confirm the repair is free
- Call any authorized BMW dealer service desk and give them the VIN and the campaign number from the list above.
- Ask them to confirm the campaign is open for your car. If it is, the parts and labor are covered.
- If the dealer says the part is not in stock, ask for a written note with the date, and ask about a loaner if the notice says not to drive the car.
- Keep the repair order. It shows the campaign number and proves the work was done.
If you already paid for a repair that a recall later covered, BMW may owe you a refund. Ask the dealer or BMW customer service about reimbursement, and keep your receipts.
Other model years of the 3 Series
- 2025 (1)
- 2024 (2)
- 2023 (4)
- 2022 (3)
- 2020 (14)
- 2019 (8)
- 2018 (6)
- 2017 (5)
- 2016 (8)
- 2015 (10)
- 2014 (12)
- 2013 (9)
- 2012 (11)
- 2011 (13)
- 2010 (11)
- All years
More: all BMW recalls, check-engine codes, car repair costs.
2021 BMW 3 Series recall questions
How many recalls does the 2021 BMW 3 Series have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2021 BMW 3 Series. A campaign can cover only some cars of that model year, so check your VIN to see whether yours is included.
Is a recall repair on a 2021 BMW 3 Series free?
Yes. A safety recall repair is free at an authorized BMW dealer, whatever the age or mileage of the car and no matter who owns it now.
How do I know if my 2021 BMW 3 Series was already fixed?
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows whether a campaign is open for that exact car. You can also ask a dealer to run the VIN, or look at the service history paperwork for the campaign number.
Source: NHTSA recalls API, checked 2026-10-29. Text is NHTSA's wording of each campaign. New campaigns are added over time. Not a repair shop, estimates only.