2021 BMW 2 Series
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 3 of 8 complaints (38%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 5 in 2020 to 8 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,750–3,100 | 2,850–3,250 | 2,750–3,250 | 2,650–3,000 | 2,650–3,000 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–28 | 24–27 | 24–28 | 26–29 | 26–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–24 / 32–35 | 21–24 / 31–34 | 21–25 / 30–33 | 23–26 / 32–35 | 22–26 / 32–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 318–356 | 324–361 | 319–366 | 300–335 | 300–343 | |
| Complaints filed | 1 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 BMW 2 Series have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 BMW 2 Series?
Visibility & Lighting: 3 of 8 NHTSA complaints (38%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 BMW 2 Series get?
EPA rates it 24–28 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 BMW 2 Series?
EPA estimates $2,750–$3,250 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $3,250 (high) | 366 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 23 mpg | 33 mpg (high) | 27 mpg | $2,850 | 332 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 32 mpg | 25 mpg | $3,100 | 356 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 23 mpg | 33 mpg (high) | 27 mpg | $2,850 | 333 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 25 mpg (high) | 32 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | $2,750 (low) | 321 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 24 mpg | 33 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,750 (low) | 319 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $3,250 (high) | 366 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
SEAT BELTS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 23V584000 · Aug 17, 2023
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2022 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 2022 430i Coupe, 2021-2022 430i, M440i Convertible, and 2020-2022 228i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles. The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the driver to fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the receiver audio module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
SEAT BELTS · Campaign 21V554000 · Jul 22, 2021
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."
Consequence: 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).
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS · Campaign 21V342000 · May 13, 2021
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 BMW 230i and M240i vehicles. Supports within the roof liner may be insecurely attached.
Consequence: The support may separate from the roof liner and fall into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury during a crash necessitating the deployment of the head air bag.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the roof liner as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters will not be sent. The one owner was notified on June 15, 2021 by telephone and the vehicle has been repaired. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS; VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY · Campaign 21V091000 · Feb 19, 2021
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 228i, 228i xDrive, and M235i xDrive vehicles. If the driver initiates an automatic closure of the sunroof, and the vehicle key status is changed to "off" or "lock," the sunroof may continue to close. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-operated Window Systems."
Consequence: If the sunroof continues to close after the vehicle is shut off, it may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the sunroof electronic coding software, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.