BMWX22021Overview/bmw/x2/2021/base/

2021 BMW X2

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 X2.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 BMW X2 carries forward BMW's compact premium crossover formula with a 5.6-quart oil sump running 0W-20 viscosity, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and EPA fuel-economy ratings of 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined mpg. Service-brake issues anchor the eight owner complaints logged for this model year, alongside four open recalls that researchers tracking long-term cost of ownership will want to factor in. Sitting between the 2018 launch year's peak of 14 complaints and the notably quieter 2022 model year with just a single complaint, the 2021 occupies the middle band of the X2's 2018–2026 reliability arc — neither the high-water mark for issues nor an outlier on the clean side, which positions it as a useful baseline for longitudinal comparison.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/30/26 mpgEPA · 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 11429888806. 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
Tire size225/50R18 95VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5, Optional: 8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11429888806 alt 11428593186
Engine air filter13718513944 alt 13718480931
Spark plug12122455258
Front wiper blades61612455085
Thermostat11539430898 alt 11539430899
Cabin air filter64316835405 alt 64316835406

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length171.7 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height60.2 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3728 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 30 / 26 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the X2 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.5–6.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.50 sec — 2019 M35i
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019M35i 2.0L Turbo I-44.50 sec13.10 sec302 hpAWD
2019M35i 2.0L Turbo I-44.60 sec13.30 sec302 hpAWD
2018xDrive28i (M Sport X) 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.90 sec228 hpAWD
2018xDrive28i (M Sport X) 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec228 hpAWD
2018sDrive28i (M Sport X) 2.0L Turbo I-46.40 sec15.00 sec228 hpFWD
2018xDrive28i (M Sport X) 2.0L Turbo I-46.40 sec15.00 sec228 hpAWD
2018xDrive28i (M Sport X) 2.0L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.20 sec228 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantHOAT
Engine Coolant Capacity11.4 qt
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity5.6 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

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
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 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: 22.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 81.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.6
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 12.99; Rear: 11.81

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1022 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.

The 2021 BMW X2 sits at the low point of a declining trend in federal complaints and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) across its generation, dropping from 14 complaints and 108 TSBs in 2018 to just 0 complaints and 34 TSBs in 2021. While recalls remained constant at one per year through 2020, 2021 still logged a single recall and an investigation, matching the pattern of modest recall activity seen in earlier years. After 2021 the data show a modest rebound in recalls (two in 2024, three in 2025) and a slight rise in complaints, though TSB counts stay relatively low, indicating that 2021 was the most trouble‑free model year in the dataset. With no crash or fire complaints reported for 2021 and the smallest number of documented issues, this year represents the cleanest option in the recent X2 lineup. **Takeaway:** 2021 is a strong candidate for purchase, offering the lowest recorded complaint and TSB burden among the years examined.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
123
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
8
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 8 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Service Brakes2
Engine1
Exterior Lighting1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Visibility1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 123 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B5120222026-06-30StructureWhile driving on rough roads, a cracking sound is heard coming from the headliner area.
B0102242026-05-05EngineThe EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or…
B5120222024-07-15Unknown Or OtherWhile driving on rough roads, a cracking sound is heard coming from the headliner area.
B6404162024-01-19StructureCustomer complains of a musty odor or damp front footwell carpet.
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…

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 X2. 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 X2 take?

5.6 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 X2 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the X2 get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined mpg.