2021 BMW Kidney Grill Active Air Flap Faults
BMW has issued a manufacturer communication (NHTSA ID 10181225) regarding Kidney Grill Active Air Flap Faults in various 2021 models. Owners may see a check control message or an illuminated Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL).
Also applies to
- BMW 330e
- 2021
- BMW 840i
- 2021
- BMW M340i
- 2021
- BMW M8
- 2021
- BMW M850i
- 2021
- BMW X5
- 2021
- BMW X6
- 2021
- BMW X7
- 2021
- BMW Z4
- 2021
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BMW has released a manufacturer communication, TSB NHTSA ID 10181225, concerning BMW Kidney Grill Active Air Flap Faults that may affect several 2021 models. This bulletin informs technicians about potential issues with the active air flap system located in the kidney grille, leading to dashboard warnings.
Symptoms
Owners of affected 2021 BMW vehicles may notice one or both of the following indicators:
- An illuminated Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on the instrument cluster.
- A "check control message" displayed, specifically related to "KIDNEY GRILL ACTIVE AIR FLAP FAULTS".
These warnings indicate a potential malfunction within the active air flap system, which plays a role in engine cooling and aerodynamic efficiency.
What is the Kidney Grill Active Air Flap?
Modern BMW vehicles often incorporate active air flaps behind the iconic kidney grille. These flaps automatically open and close to regulate airflow to the engine compartment. When the engine needs more cooling, the flaps open. When less cooling is required, or for improved aerodynamics and faster engine warm-up, the flaps close. A fault in this system can impact engine performance, fuel efficiency, and potentially lead to overheating if not addressed.
What to Do If You Experience This
If your 2021 BMW displays a check control message related to BMW Kidney Grill Active Air Flap Faults or has an illuminated MIL, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with an authorized BMW service center. The TSB, NHTSA ID 10181225, provides guidance to technicians on diagnosing and resolving this specific issue. Since this is a manufacturer communication, the repair may be covered under warranty, depending on your vehicle's specific warranty terms and mileage.
Source: NHTSA ID 10181225
What BMW 330i owners report
Counted from the records in our database across 16 model years.
- 818
- Owner complaints
- 39
- Recalls
- 863
- Service bulletins
- 30
- Crashes reported
- 38
- Fires reported
- 36
- Injuries reported
The 2021 model year
29 complaints, the 10th most of 16 model years on file. Owners reported 1 crash, 3 fires and 1 injury for this year, which also has 7 recalls on file.
Structure, the system this article covers, accounts for 19 of 818 complaints (2%), including 1 for 2021.
Complaints by model year
| 2001 | 116 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 45 | |
| 2003 | 77 | |
| 2004 | 113 | |
| 2006 | 219 | |
| 2017 | 42 | |
| 2018 | 32 | |
| 2019 | 41 | |
| 2020 | 53 | |
| 2021 | 29 |
Most-reported systems
- Air Bags — 246
- Exterior Lighting — 153
- Electrical System — 132
- Engine — 89
- Power Train — 44
Latest recalls for the 2021 model year
- 26V056000 — Electrical System (Jan 2026)
- 25V636000 — Electrical System (Sep 2025) — Park outside
- 23V584000 — Electrical System (Aug 2023)
Recent owner reports about structure
Read owner complaints →My sunroof exploded randomly, without warning as I was traveling on the highway at approximately 65 MPH. There was no impact from an object. The cloth cover beneath the sunroof was fully intact and undamaged after the incident.
Complaints are owner reports filed with NHTSA. They are unverified, and counts depend on how many vehicles were sold, so they are not a failure rate.
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