BMW530e2021Overview/bmw/530e/2021/base/

2021 BMW 530e

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 530e.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 BMW 530e, equipped with an S8 automatic transmission and requiring 5.6 quarts of BMW LongLife LL-14FE+ or LL-17FE+ oil, recorded only one owner complaint—tying the 2020 model for the lowest count in the 2017–2021 range—while also carrying two recalls, with complaints concentrated in the electrical and fuel/propulsion systems. This places the 2021 model year at the low end of owner-reported issues for the generation, a notable contrast to the 2019 peak of 11 complaints.

Model year202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil typeBMW LongLife LL-14FE+ or LL-17FE+OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA efficiency24/29/26 MPGeEPA · verified
EPA electric range340 miEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11429886567. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 800 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire size245/45R18/XL 100HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8, Optional: 8.5, Front: 8.5, Rear: 10 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11429886567 alt 11428575211
Engine air filter13718691835
Spark plug12122455258
Battery61215B3F325 alt 61216806755
Front wiper blades61612447932
Thermostat11539468021 alt 11539468022
Cabin air filter64115A29D99 alt 64115A1BDB6

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length195.3 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase117.3 in
Curb weight4178 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)49/51

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 29 / 26 MPGe
Electric range340 mi
Charge time (240V)3.0 hr
Electric motor80 kW DCPM
Energy use49.0 kWh/100mi
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume10 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.6 qt of BMW LongLife LL-14FE+ or LL-17FE+ engine oil, BMW G5 Hypoid Axle Oil P/N 83 22 2 471 487 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF3
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.2 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilBMW G5 Hypoid Axle Oil P/N 83 22 2 471 487
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.85 qt
Engine CoolantInfiniti BASF Glysantin G40 Coolant
Engine OilBMW LongLife LL-14FE+

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs14.0 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.
Engine Flywheel BoltsUse new bolts only. 88.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugUse new fill plug: 44.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugUse new drain plug. ft-lbs
Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueRear: 26.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueUse new bolts. 81.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.6
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 12.99; Rear: 12.99

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1022 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.37.3 ft. lbs

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Based on the provided federal record, Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) peaked in 2019 and 2020 with 248 and 247 entries respectively, before declining to 169 in the 2021 model year. Consumer complaints dropped significantly from 11 in 2019 to just 1 in both 2020 and 2021, though this remains higher than the zero complaints recorded in 2017. The single complaint filed against the 2021 530e concerns the Electrical System and Fuel/Propulsion System, and the data specifies one fire complaint despite zero crash complaints. This downward trend in TSBs and complaints suggests the 2021 model exhibits improved reliability metrics compared to the immediate prior years, although the fire complaint exists without a specified root cause in the data. Consequently, the 2021 model year appears to be a statistically safer choice within this generation due to its reduced reported issues relative to 2019 and 2020.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
169
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V096000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 19/02/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7… 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…

20V601000Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction BatteryReported 30/09/2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5… Remedy: BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 169 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B6304182024-03-14Exterior LightingOne or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.
B1207212024-03-04Engine And Engine CoolingCheck Control message (CCM) indicates: (ID 213): Stop, exercising due care. Voltage…
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…
B3601212024-01-08SteeringAt low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 530e. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 530e take?

5.6 qt of BMW LongLife LL-14FE+ or LL-17FE+, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 530e have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What is the EPA range and efficiency of the 530e?

EPA figures are 24 city / 29 highway / 26 combined MPGe. EPA electric range is 340 miles.