CSR

BMW · NHTSA safety record

2021 BMW 530I

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

17

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2021 BMW 530I have filed 17 safety complaints with NHTSA between September 2021 and May 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 4 of them (24%). The typical failure was reported at 18,000 miles, the median across the 3 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 8 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (8)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

26V438000 · July 8, 2026

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Supra, 2022-2025 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2023 5 Series, 2022-2026 Z4, 2023-2024 4 Series Gran Coupe, 4 Series Convertible, 4 Series Coupe, 3 Series, 2021-2025 X4, and 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
The risk
Fire increases the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on August 28, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning August 28, 2026. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall 26V056.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 318,495 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

26V056000 · January 30, 2026

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
The risk
Fire increases the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 87,394 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY

25V636000 · September 23, 2025

Park outside until repaired

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
The risk
A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 199,674 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS

21V554000 · July 21, 2021

The defect
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."
The risk
During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
The 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).

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 21,537 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

21V096000 · February 19, 2021

The defect
BMW 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."
The risk
If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 13,858 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

21V046000 · February 3, 2021

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive and 2021 740Li xDrive vehicles. The output shafts (left/right) which transfer power from the driveshaft to the rear wheels may break due to a heat treatment error during supplier production.
The risk
A broken output shaft can lead to a loss of drive power or a rollaway condition in a parked vehicle (if the parking brake is not engaged), increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the output shaft(s), free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 28 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

20V761000 · December 9, 2020

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.
The risk
Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 812 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

20V598000 · September 30, 2020

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 312 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 17.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 24%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 18%
AIR BAGS 2 12%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 2 12%
ENGINE 2 12%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 12%
SEAT BELTS 1 6%
SEATS 1 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 6%
VISIBILITY 1 6%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 5.

2021 2025 2026
2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · towed · 9,855 miles

After pulling into a parking space and stopping, the braking system became unresponsive. While stopped with the foot on the brakes, attempts to place the car in park failed. After pumping the brakes, the car rolled forward as the car idled and the brakes were unresponsive as it rolled through a corrugated metal wall and the car only stopped after pressing the ignition button to turn off the car, putting anyone in or near the car at that time at risk. The problem has been reported to the dealer and the dealer inspection is pending but the problem has not been isolated and not reproduced. No prior warning lights or symptoms of a problem was noticed in this car before this incident.

NHTSA complaint 11465809. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The recall 25V-636 remains unresolved after more than 6 month passed since the manufacturer issued the campaign regarding the engine starter. I would like to see the NHTSA to put the manufacturer on notice that this is unacceptable. We cannot park the vehicle outside of structures permanently as this devalues the vehicle and creates a loss of use.

NHTSA complaint 11736037. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I have a 2021 BMW 530i. VIN [XXX] . I brought my vehicle to Pompano Beach BMW and Coconut Creek BMW in Florida. They said both my motor mounts have collapsed. I have discussed the matter with other experts and mechanics, and been told the failure of motor mounts is a serious safety issue and vehicle defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11726067. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 BMW 530I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint 11725600. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Good afternoon, I am writing regarding the recall affecting my BMW 2021 530i, VIN [XXX] . While I understand the importance of safety recalls, this issue has had a direct and measurable impact on the market value of my vehicle. Due to the recall, I have received reduced trade-in and resale offers, with dealers explicitly citing the recall as a reason for depreciation. This loss in value persists regardless of whether the recall remedy has been completed. I am therefore requesting compensation ($6000) for the depreciation caused by this recall, or financial adjustment or trade in. Please open a case on my behalf and advise on the next steps. I would appreciate this matter being reviewed by a

NHTSA complaint 11710100, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 BMW 530I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). The contact called a local dealer several times and was advised 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 not informed. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint 11702557. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 BMW 530I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the remote starter of the vehicle had failed to function as intended, and the key fob was inoperable. The contact replaced the key fob battery three times, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the brakes replaced, the mechanic informed the contact of the remote starter failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the brakes had been replaced three times. The independent mechanic was unable to determine the

NHTSA complaint 11701909, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the BMW 530I

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 13 6
2022 8 4
2020 9 5
2019 15 1
2018 25 2
2017 18 1

Other 2021 BMW models

Every BMW on this site — 249 vehicles, 484 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

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