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2021 BMW 3 Series: common problems and reliability
· G20One of the better 3 Series years.
37 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 3 Series?The 2021 BMW 3 Series has 37 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and engine. Owners most often flag removal of physical climate: favorites, and driving mode buttons on lci models, requiring extra screen taps.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 BMW 3 Series vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 3 Series years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the 3 Series?
Across the 31 3 Series model years we track, complaint volume runs from 10 (2022) to 1,920 (2011). With 37 complaints, the 2021 3 Series sits below the model's median of 279.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 3 Series
seat belts
Campaign 21V554000BMW 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."
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 21V096000BMW 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."
seat belts:front:buckle assembly
Campaign 21V298000BMW 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.
electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
Campaign 20V601000BMW 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.
Show 1 more recall
electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery
Campaign 20V490000BMW 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.
What owners report on the G20 3 Series
Owner sentiment on the G20 3 Series is broadly positive, with the strongest praise going to the B48/B58 engines and the ZF 8-speed transmission, which owners repeatedly describe as solid and reliable.
- Very frequentRemoval of physical climate
Favorites, and driving mode buttons on LCI models, requiring extra screen taps.
- Very frequentLarge curved screen design and loss of the traditional shifter drawing criticism
- RecurrentBrake pad warning light appearing unusually early, around 17K-23K miles
- RecurrentFaulty or damaged brake pad sensor triggering false warnings
- RecurrentSteering feel described as numb and isolating compared to older generations
Owner insights for the G20 3 Series. Read the full G20 owner report.
Typical used price
Used 3 Series listings typically run $9,995–$26,395.
Other 3 Series model years
Compare every 3 Series year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the 3 Series against its rivals
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