At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Confirm by VIN that the repair was completed before driving or buying this car. The fix is free at a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Electrical system recall
A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
- 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.
- Status
- Park outside and away from buildings until repaired. Dealer fixes it free.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Electrical system recall
Fire increases the risk of injury.
- 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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Seat belts recall
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).
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
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.
- 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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Transmission recall
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.
- 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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Electrical system recall
Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
- 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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- 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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
5
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Read full complaint
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.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11736037 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
3
Most reports here involve other issues.
Read full complaint
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.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11725600 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
1
Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 1 mention a crash.
Read full complaint
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.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11465809 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
2
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Read full complaint
I have a code Passanger restraint failure that will not come off unless I pay $2700 to fix. This coding came on after 3 months of getting the vehicle and I’m not the only with the same issue. This is a dangerous situation that Bmw is not recalling but putting this as the owners expense. If I were to get in an accident this will not deploy airbags or open the seat belt this can cause sever injuries or worst death.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11643861 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
1
Most reports here involve other issues.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2021 BMW 530i. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the sunroof exploded and glass entered into the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the failure was due to the weather. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11459013 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
5
Most reports here involve software faults.
Read full complaint
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 regional case manager if necessary. Thank you for your attention. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11710100 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2021 has 17 complaints on file, more than the 2020 (10) and more than the 2024 (13). Of the 6 model years of the BMW 530i we cover, the 2018 has the most (24). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.