Last updated: 2026-03-04
2021 BMW X1 Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2021 BMW X1 scores 75/100 ("Good"). With 1 recall and 6 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
2021 is year 6 of the Second generation (F48).
Recalls
1
Complaints
6
Complaint Rate
3.3
per 10k sold
Below avgEst. Annual Cost
$915
About avgMajor Repair Risk
8%
NHTSA Rating
5/5
Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.
Top Issues
1 recall on record
Generation & Refresh (US)
2021 is year 6 of the Second generation (F48).
- Redesigned for the 2016 model year.
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 2nd generation X1 (US).
What this means for buyers
Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.
Second generation (F48)
Should You Buy the 2021 BMW X1?
The 2021 BMW X1 scores 75/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory. 2021 is year 6 of the Second generation (F48).
With 6 owner complaints, some reported issues may need attention, but we don't yet see evidence of a single dominant failure mode.
A pre-purchase inspection is recommended for used examples, with particular attention to air bags (2). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.
Compared to the 2022 BMW X1, which scored 3 points lower. See also the 2020 BMW X1 for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- Acceptable reliability score
- Low major repair risk (8%)
- Low recall count
- Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Frontal collision warning and pedestrian alert systems (2 complaints)
- AIR BAGS: Issues with the airbag system in the 2021 BMW X1, specifically concerning... (2 complaints)
Compare 2021 BMW X1 With
Common Problem Categories
Safety
- 1 manufacturer recall issued
Other
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)
- AIR BAGS (2)
- SUSPENSION (1)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1)
Recall Overview
1
recall on record
The 2021 BMW X1 has 1 recall on record. This is a low count. Recalls are manufacturer-initiated fixes for safety or compliance issues and are repaired at no cost to the owner at authorized dealerships.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
3.3
per 10k soldSegment avg: 17
Safety Incidents
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Deaths
0
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2021 BMW X1 Recall Details
1 recall has been issued for the 2021 BMW X1. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
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 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."
Consequence
During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
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. 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).
2021 BMW X1 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.7%
Safety Technologies
BMW X1 Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$915
vs $859 avg for luxury compact SUVs
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.7
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
8%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
When Buying a Used 2021 BMW X1
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- Inspect front suspension for abnormal noises when turning
- Verify brake system warning lights are not illuminated
- Test frontal collision warning and pedestrian alert systems for malfunctions
- Check for any visible damage or misalignment on the front bumper
- Ensure airbags deploy correctly in a diagnostic test
Check Any 2021 BMW X1's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2021 X1 in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific BMW X1 with a free VIN lookup.
Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.
2021 BMW X1 Common Problems by Component
6 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 complaintsOwners of the 2021 BMW X1 report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving the frontal collision warning and pedestrian alert systems. Complaints frequently mention warnings such as "Frontal Collision Warning System: Malfunction" and "Brake intervention not available," with some owners noting these issues arise after minor bumper damage. Both reports indicate dealership assessments suggest costly repairs, estimated at $5,000, despite owners disputing the need due to the absence of a significant collision. Safety implications include potential distraction from persistent warnings and the reduced functionality of collision intervention systems. These issues are noted without specific mileage details, though one complaint references the problems occurring 1 to 3 weeks prior to the report.
AIR BAGS
2 complaintsSafety-relatedOwners report issues with the airbag system in the 2021 BMW X1, specifically concerning non-deployment during crashes. Complaints frequently mention that front airbags fail to deploy upon impact, even in significant collisions. In both documented incidents, crashes occurred at varying speeds and resulted in injuries, with one incident involving two injuries and another involving a broken right hand. The reported mileage at the time of failure is approximately 6,000 miles. These issues highlight potential safety implications for buyers considering this model.
SUSPENSION
1 complaintAt approximately 20,000 miles, the vehicle was inspected by an authorized dealer due to abnormal noises from the front suspension when turning the steering wheel. The dealer confirmed abnormal noise from the front struts when the wheels were turned while the vehicle was on a lift and diagnosed premature front strut failure. The affected components are available for inspection upon request. Repair was quoted but not performed. This condition involves a safety-critical suspension component and may affect vehicle handling, stability, and braking performance, particularly during turning or emergency maneuvers. This issue follows a prior safety-related brake failure at approximately 17,000 miles. At that time, a brake system warning light illuminated, and the condition was confirmed and repaired by the dealer. Both incidents involve safety-critical systems occurring at unusually low mileage. No warning lights or messages were observed prior to the suspension issue. The vehicle has not been involved in a collision and has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaintOn November 18, 2022, around 9:45 a.m. on Rt. 462 in South Carolina. I was driving my 2021 BMW X1 when “boom.” I thought I’d been shot at with a shotgun. I nearly lost control of the car. As it turns out, by sunroof exploded. (See attached photo). My BMW dealer is covering it under warranty, but I thought I should let NHTSA know. It has been replaced, so inspection is not an option. There were no symptoms prior to the failure.
When Do 2021 BMW X1 Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst BMW X1 Years
Best BMW X1 Years to Buy
The best BMW X1 year is 2021 with a reliability score of 75/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2020 (74/100) and 2025 (73/100).
2021(this page)
1 recall · 6 complaints
2020
1 recall · 12 complaints
2025
3 recalls · 9 complaints
BMW X1 Years to Avoid
The worst BMW X1 year is 2023 with a score of 64/100, primarily due to service brakes, hydraulic (21) issues.
See full BMW X1 years-to-avoid analysis →BMW X1 Reliability Score Trend
BMW X1 reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 71/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 69/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 73/100 | Good |
BMW X1 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2021 BMW X1 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 BMW X1?
How many recalls does the 2021 BMW X1 have?
Is the 2021 BMW X1 expensive to maintain?
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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