Model year 2021 · Large Cars

2021 BMW X1: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2021 BMW X1 at 26–27 mpg combined across 2 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 10 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined mpg

26–27

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a BMW dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2021 BMW X1 recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2021 BMW X1, newest first.

Seat belts

NHTSA 21V554000 Reported Jul 21, 2021
Filed by
BMW of North America, LLC
Units affected
21,537 (estimate)
Problem
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…
Risk
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).

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2021 BMW X1 fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2021 BMW X1 EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
X1 sDrive28i2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 8-speedFront-Wheel DrivePremium24/33/27 mpg$3,050327
X1 xDrive28i2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 8-speedAll-Wheel DrivePremium23/31/26 mpg$3,150342

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2021 BMW X1 crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2021 BMW X1 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2021 BMW X1 SUV AWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars14.3%Standard
2021 BMW X1 SUV FWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars15.7%Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2021 BMW X1 owner complaints

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 BMW X1, most recently on Oct 22, 2026. 4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 4 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2021 BMW X1 complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Air bags4
Electrical system3
Engine2
Forward collision avoidance: Warnings2
Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking1
Service brakes1
Suspension1
Unknown or other1

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other BMW X1 model years

BMW X1 by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2027 X127–28 mpg———
2026 X127–28 mpg214/5
2025 X126–28 mpg3174/5
2024 X126–28 mpg3304/5
2023 X128 mpg6704/5
2022 X126–27 mpg215/5
2020 X126–27 mpg1135/5
2019 X125–26 mpg3135/5
2018 X125–26 mpg4605/5
2017 X125–26 mpg4164—
2016 X125 mpg4163—
2015 X121–26 mpg494—

All BMW X1 years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2021 BMW models

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with BMW.