2021 BMW X3 Electrical System
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted several times and confirmed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed to start on the first attempt. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving 65-70 MPH on the highway, the drivetrain malfunction warning light illuminated with a message to “See Dealer” was displayed. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the starter and the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V056000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty and the repair was not covered. The failure mileage was 28,766.
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. There was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the engine. After several minutes, the vehicle was able to be started. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with starter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.
While stopped in traffic the automatic start-stop system engaged. When traffic began moving again the vehicle failed to restart and automatically shifted to park. I was unable to shift into neutral to move off of the road. The "Engine cannot be started" control message appeared. After several attempts to manual start the vehicle it started.
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted several times. The contact was concerned that the vehicle could catch on fire at any time. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the recall repair was not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The BMW X3 went in for a recall to reprogram the DME. After updating the DME software by BMW the DME was no longer talking to other modules. The BMW Assistant Service Manager said and I quote him "IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITHOUT A FIX". I ask for clarification and I was told that there were some 100 modules or so that are in the car and that they now no longer reliably talked with other modules as a result of the updating the DME recall software. I was given one example by BMW of possible implications to modules not talking to each other where BMW was not sure if the airbag was getting correct information. BMW when on to say they were not sure what exactly was and was not affected but they considered it now a safety issue. They have had our BMW X3 since February 7th, 2023 after numerous fix attempts. As of today that would be 101 days at the BMW service department. BMW also said there were other BMWs with the same issue. Bottom line BMW treated the issue as a safety issue. Again that safety issue was created by a failed updating the DME software module on a recall. There is a dashboard emissions warning light that appears when the hybrid battery is drained. BMW also indicated that they have no idea what the full extent of failed software update, has done. RECALL . PLEASE PERFORM OPEN RECALL FOR THE DME PROGRAMMING, B121221, ADDDED ON 11/14/2022 AT 4:15 BY [XXX] preformed service Acton 12 12 21. defect code 0012690500. labor ops 00 71 240. ···WARRANTY, INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact leased a 2021 BMW X3. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V601000 (Electrical System) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Trend Over Time
Complaints by year
Other Issues
Common problems reported
Quick Summary
The 2021 BMW X3 has 9 Electrical System complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.