2021 BMW X5 Steering Column Recall (21V031)
BMW of North America, LLC · 21 vehicles · Reported January 29, 2021
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling 21 2021 BMW X5; 2021 BMW X6; 2021 BMW X7 vehicles. The steering column shaft's universal joint connection may not have been tightened to specifications, and can become loose. A loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V031 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V031000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Not listed |
| Date reported to NHTSA | January 29, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021 BMW X5; 2021 BMW X6; 2021 BMW X7 |
| Units affected | 21 |
| Component | Steering > Column |
| Safety risk | A loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 BMW X5 in recall 21V031?
The steering column shaft's universal joint connection may not have been tightened to specifications, and can become loose.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5M, X5 xDrive45e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i vehicles. The steering column shaft's universal joint connection may not have been tightened to specifications, and can become loose.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 X5 with recall 21V031?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the column.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V031?
Recall 21V031 covers 21 vehicles: 2021 BMW X5; 2021 BMW X6; 2021 BMW X7.
NHTSA lists 21 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | BMW | X5 |
| 2021 | BMW | X6 |
| 2021 | BMW | X7 |
What is the fix for the X5 steering column recall?
Yes. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, depending upon the inspection, either the bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, or the steering column shaft, universal joint, and bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, free of charge.
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, depending upon the inspection, either the bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, or the steering column shaft, universal joint, and bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
When was recall 21V031 announced?
BMW of North America, LLC reported recall 21V031 to NHTSA on January 29, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| January 29, 2021 | BMW of North America, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V031000. |
This recall was filed 69 months ago. If your X5 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my X5 is part of recall 21V031?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V031 is open on your X5, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V031000 is open on your X5, it will be listed there. You can also ask any BMW dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should X5 owners do about recall 21V031?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V031000 applies to your X5.
- Call a BMW dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Write down when symptoms involving the column happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are X5 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 9 of them about the steering.
Since recall 21V031 was reported on January 29, 2021, owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the steering on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the steering and were received on or after January 29, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related steering issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 161 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 9 of them involve the steering. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 BMW X5: 108 complaints in total, 3 about the steering
- 2021 BMW X7: 46 complaints in total, 5 about the steering
- 2021 BMW X6: 7 complaints in total, 1 about the steering
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
My vehicle only has 28,000 miles on it has a very loud rattling noise in the front end. My mechanic said the steering linkage is loose and the steering assembly is leaking. I see there are other similar recalls for this vehicle but my specific VIN isn’t coming up under those recalls.
2021 BMW X5 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11671793, filed July 7, 2025
Steering the vehicle in a low gear causes the vehicle to tremble or shudder. The dealership identified the problem to be the transfer case fluid. In manufacturing, BMW put a fluid which did not meet the specifications of the vehicle.
2021 BMW X5 owner, NJ, NHTSA complaint 11689259, filed September 23, 2025
Wheel/Tire makes shudders during a turn at low acceleration or going up a hill leading to uncontrolled acceleration. I have brought the car in for inspection and service and the issue could not be replicated by the techs, however the problem occurs with daily driving.
2021 BMW X7 owner, MD, NHTSA complaint 11701777, filed November 27, 2025
Can recall 21V031 make my X5 a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Steering defects go straight to safety. Under California's lemon law, a defect likely to cause death or serious injury can create a presumption after just two repair attempts, if the manufacturer was also notified directly.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your X5 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other BMW X5 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V031
Did the recall 21V031 fix work?
Since recall 21V031 was reported on January 29, 2021, owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the steering on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 21V031000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my X5 is part of recall 21V031000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V031000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or BMW. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.