repaired · 2023 Q2
Seat belts
Risk. During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
2021 BMW X1Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 11 owner complaints about the 2021 BMW X1, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 21V-554 the manufacturer reports only 96% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 2, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2021 BMW X1 has problems
11 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
4Air bags4 crash/fire/injury
3Electrical system
2Engine
2Forward collision avoidance
1Seat belts
1Service brakes
1Suspension
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 4 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2021 BMW X1 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2021 vs. every other X1 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the X1 median. How we score
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2021 BMW X1 safety ratings
2021 BMW X1 SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (14.3% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Standard
- Lane departure warning: Standard
In owners' words
What X1 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
I was involved in an accident today and the front steering wheel airbags didn’t deploy The blue car in the pictures turned in front of me and I hit them
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…
Own a 2021 X1?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.