Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 X4.
The 2021 BMW X4 arrives with a 0W‑20‑rated engine that holds 5.6 quarts of oil and is paired with an automatic S8 transmission, while EPA fuel‑economy testing records 14 city, 19 highway and 16 combined miles per gallon. The model’s reliability record shows six total owner complaints in its introduction year, a level that falls near the lower end of a historical span that peaked at 14 complaints in 2020 and has declined to just two in 2024. Seven recall actions have been issued, reinforcing a gradual improvement in durability. Overall, the 2021 X4 represents a point in the lineage where complaint frequency is trending downward, indicating emerging reliability stability.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
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 11428469100. 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.
| Engine oil filter | 11428469100 alt 11429886567 |
| Engine air filter | 13718581691 alt 13718577171 |
| Spark plug | 12122455258 alt 12125A4EF60 |
| Battery | 61217604808 alt 61216806755 |
| Front wiper blades | 61617469820 |
| Thermostat | 11539494425 alt 11538632664 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119382885 alt 64119382886 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 187.4 in |
| Overall width | 75.6 in |
| Overall height | 63.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 113 in |
| Curb weight | 4323 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63.8 / 65.7 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 14 / 19 / 16 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the X4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | M Competition 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-6 | 3.30 sec | 11.60 sec | 503 hp | AWD |
| 2022 | M Competition 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-6 | 3.20 sec | 11.60 sec | 503 hp | AWD |
| 2022 | xDrive30i (M Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.20 sec | 14.70 sec | 248 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | M40i 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 4.20 sec | 12.90 sec | 355 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | M40i 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 4.70 sec | 13.10 sec | 355 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | M40i 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 4.80 sec | 13.40 sec | 355 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | xDrive30i (xLine) 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.10 sec | 14.80 sec | 248 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.6 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use a new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 9.8 qt |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 9.9 qt |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 9.8 qt |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 14.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Head Instructions | Only use new bolts. |
| Cylinder Head Instructions | Only use new bolts. |
| Cylinder Head Instructions | Only use new bolts. |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | Use new bolts only. 88.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | Use a new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | Use a new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | Use a new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential Fill Plug | Final Drive: Use new plug: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential Fill Plug | Front: 44.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential drain Plug | Front: 44.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential Fill Plug | Final Drive: Use new plug: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 103 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | Use a new plug: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | Use a new plug: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46YF |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 800 cca |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: NS, Rear: 26.0 ft-lbs |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Use new bolts. 81.0 ft-lbs |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 6.6 |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Rear: 26.0 ft-lbs |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 6 |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: 15.55; Rear: 14.57 |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: 12.99; Rear: 12.99 |
| 1 | Bolts 1-10 | 22 ft. lbs |
| 1 | Bolts 1-14 | 22 ft. lbs |
| 1 | Bolts 1-14 | 37 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 1,200 mi.
| At 1,200 mi | Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2021 BMW X4 sits in the middle of a generation that shows a gradual decline in complaints after a peak in 2020, dropping from 14 complaints in 2020 to 6 in 2021. Recalls were higher in 2020 (10) and 2021 (7) than in the surrounding years, indicating ongoing issues but no dramatic spike. Investigations remained low throughout, with only one in 2021 and none in 2020, suggesting most complaints were not tied to safety investigations. The top complaint areas for 2021—Seat Belts (2), Power Train/Engine (1), Engine (1), and Unknown or Other (1)—are relatively minor and specific, with no fire or crash complaints reported that year. Compared to the 2019–2023 arc, 2021 represents a modest improvement over the peak of 2020 and precedes a steady decline in both complaints and recalls. Given this trend, 2021 is a reasonable year to consider buying, but potential buyers should verify that seat belt and power‑train issues have been addressed in the specific vehicle.
All 6 complaints on record, top 5 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e… 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…
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…
Showing 5 of 166 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B010324 | 2026-05-06 | Engine | The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or… |
| B661719 | 2025-04-30 | Service Brakes | The vehicle applies the brakes on its own when reversing onto an inclined roadway or… |
| B650122 | 2025-01-06 | Air Bags | The limited warranty for the Knee Air Bag wire harness repair cable procedure for defects… |
| B410722 | 2024-04-04 | Structure | While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the… |
| B630418 | 2024-03-14 | Exterior Lighting | One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored. |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.6 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.