2021 BMW X3/X4 Door Paint Streaks TSB
A technical service bulletin (NHTSA ID 10188941) addresses a cosmetic concern in 2021 BMW X3 and X4 vehicles where vertical "DOOR PAINT STREAKS" may appear on the outer door skin, originating from the lower window trim. This issue can affect any of the four side doors.
Also applies to
- BMW X4
- 2021
Owners of certain 2021 BMW X3 and X4 vehicles may observe a cosmetic issue involving paint streaks on the exterior doors. This concern, identified in manufacturer communication NHTSA ID 10188941, describes streaks that run mostly vertically down the outer door skin, typically originating from the lower window trim. This issue, referred to as "DOOR PAINT STREAKS," can affect any of the four side doors on the vehicle.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of this issue is the visible appearance of streaks on the exterior of the vehicle's doors. These "DOOR PAINT STREAKS" are usually vertical and are found along the outer skin of the door, starting from the lower edge of the window trim. Owners might notice these streaks on one or multiple doors of their 2021 BMW X3 or X4.
Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions
The manufacturer communication indicates that the streaks are found running mostly vertically down along the door outer skin from the lower window trim. While the exact trigger conditions are not detailed in the summary, it suggests a potential interaction between the trim and the door's painted surface. The presence of these visible "DOOR PAINT STREAKS" is the key diagnostic indicator for this particular concern.
Owner Action
If you own a 2021 BMW X3 or X4 and notice vertical "DOOR PAINT STREAKS" on your vehicle's doors, it is recommended to contact your authorized BMW dealership. They can inspect the vehicle and determine the appropriate course of action based on the manufacturer's guidelines outlined in communication NHTSA ID 10188941. This issue is primarily cosmetic and does not typically affect the vehicle's operation or safety.
Source: NHTSA ID 10188941
What BMW X3 owners report
Counted from the records in our database across 23 model years.
- 2,295
- Owner complaints
- 64
- Recalls
- 1,126
- Service bulletins
- 114
- Crashes reported
- 133
- Fires reported
- 118
- Injuries reported
The 2021 model year
113 complaints, the 8th most of 23 model years on file. Owners reported 5 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries for this year, which also has 10 recalls on file.
Visibility, the system this article covers, accounts for 20 of 2,295 complaints (1%), including 1 for 2021.
Complaints by model year
| 2004 | 138 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 143 | |
| 2007 | 258 | |
| 2008 | 122 | |
| 2011 | 126 | |
| 2013 | 226 | |
| 2015 | 105 | |
| 2019 | 171 | |
| 2020 | 110 | |
| 2021 | 113 |
Most-reported systems
- Engine — 494
- Electrical System — 450
- Air Bags — 404
- Power Train — 247
- Seats — 218
Latest recalls for the 2021 model year
- 26V056000 — Electrical System (Jan 2026)
- 25V636000 — Electrical System (Sep 2025) — Park outside
- 24V764000 — Structure (Oct 2024)
Recent owner reports about visibility
In June 2023, I purchased a vehicle from Enterprise Car Sales. Around June 2024, I reached out to them with concerns about the vehicle. They recommended I contact either the insurance or warranty company, but neither could address my issue.
Read owner complaints →Driving at highway speeds, the front sun roof exploded into the vehicle. 2nd time this has happened. Previous time was 03/2022.
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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