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2021 BMW X1

Gas
Large Cars
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
A
Safety Signal
92 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns1
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA7
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA27 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 BMW X1 is sold in the U.S. as a gas large car with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the X1 sDrive28i, is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 7 complaints, most often about the forward collision avoidance. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
X1 sDrive28iGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo243327$2,850
X1 xDrive28iGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233126$3,000

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42894, 42893.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 BMW X1 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Seat Belts

21,537 vehicles
ProblemBMW 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 (CooperRiskDuring a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.FixDealers 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).
NHTSA campaign 21V554000reported Jul 21, 2021BMW of North America, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
7complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 3 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Forward Collision Avoidance3
Electrical System3
Air Bags2
Unspecified1
Service Brakes1
Suspension1

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2021 BMW X1. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the navigation screen was glitching and became inoperable. The service message was displayed. There was a red triangle with an exclamation mark displayed. The vehicle was difficult…”Aug 11, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“At 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 fai…”Jan 24, 2026 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“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”May 20, 2023 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆14%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning.

Other X1 model years

B

2026 BMW X1

2 recalls · 1 complaints

C

2025 BMW X1

3 recalls · 14 complaints

C

2024 BMW X1

3 recalls · 30 complaints

F

2023 BMW X1

6 recalls · 70 complaints

C

2022 BMW X1

2 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2020 BMW X1

1 recalls · 13 complaints

C

2019 BMW X1

3 recalls · 11 complaints

D

2018 BMW X1

4 recalls · 59 complaints

B

2017 BMW X1

2 recalls · 155 complaints

C

2016 BMW X1

3 recalls · 159 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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