2021 BMW X3 Fuel Tank Recall (21V199)
BMW of North America, LLC · 17 vehicles · Reported March 24, 2021
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling 17 2021 BMW X3; 2021 BMW X4 vehicles. The inlet check valve weld may fail, allowing the filling pipe to separate from the fuel tank. Fuel may leak through the failed weld, increasing the risk of a fire. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V199 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V199000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Not listed |
| Date reported to NHTSA | March 24, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021 BMW X3; 2021 BMW X4 |
| Units affected | 17 |
| Component | Fuel System, Gasoline > Storage > Tank Assembly |
| Safety risk | Fuel may leak through the failed weld, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 BMW X3 in recall 21V199?
The inlet check valve weld may fail, allowing the filling pipe to separate from the fuel tank.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, and X4, and 2021 X4 xDrive30i vehicles. The inlet check valve weld may fail, allowing the filling pipe to separate from the fuel tank.
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 X3 with recall 21V199?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Fuel may leak through the failed weld, increasing the risk of a fire.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Fuel may leak through the failed weld, increasing the risk of a fire.
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 tank assembly.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V199?
Recall 21V199 covers 17 vehicles: 2021 BMW X3; 2021 BMW X4.
NHTSA lists 17 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | BMW | X3 |
| 2021 | BMW | X4 |
What is the fix for the X3 fuel tank recall?
Yes. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge.
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall is scheduled to begin May 17, 2021. Owners were also contacted by telephone. To date, all repairs have been done. No further owner notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
When was recall 21V199 announced?
BMW of North America, LLC reported recall 21V199 to NHTSA on March 24, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 24, 2021 | BMW of North America, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V199000. |
This recall was filed 67 months ago. If your X3 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my X3 is part of recall 21V199?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V199 is open on your X3, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 X3 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should X3 owners do about recall 21V199?
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 21V199000 applies to your X3.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized BMW dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- 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 tank assembly 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 recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are X3 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 6 of them about the fuel system.
Since recall 21V199 was reported on March 24, 2021, owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the fuel system on these vehicles. 1 of them (20%) 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 fuel system and were received on or after March 24, 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 fuel system issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 117 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 6 of them involve the fuel system. 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 X3: 111 complaints in total, 6 about the fuel system
- 2021 BMW X4: 6 complaints in total, 0 about the fuel system
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated that upon refueling the vehicle and attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start on several occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart after several attempts.
2021 BMW X3 owner, NY, NHTSA complaint 11697141, filed November 3, 2025
The oil pump failed and needs to be replaced. Yes it is available for inspection. If the pump does not get replaced, the oil will not flow through the car like it's supposed to and the engine could seize up and stop working. My dealership confirmed that the oil pump has failed.
2021 BMW X3 owner, MI, NHTSA complaint 11655225, filed April 17, 2025
This technical failure in the BMW B58TU engine (2019–2021) involves the variable-displacement oil pump's internal thermoplastic slide. In low ambient temperatures, the high viscosity of cold oil creates mechanical stress that causes this plastic component to fracture. The Safety Hazard The primary risk is a sudden loss of motive power.
2021 BMW X3 owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11721098, filed February 28, 2026
Can recall 21V199 make my X3 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.
Recall 21V199000 does not automatically make your X3 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Fuel pump and fuel line defects can cause the 2021 BMW X3 to stall without warning. If it happens again after the recall repair, document it and return to the dealer.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 BMW X3 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
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 X3 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other BMW X3 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V199
Did the recall 21V199 fix work?
Since recall 21V199 was reported on March 24, 2021, owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the fuel system on these vehicles. 1 of them (20%) 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 21V199000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my X3 is part of recall 21V199000?
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 21V199000 (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.