2021 BMW X3/X4 Whistling Noise TSB
BMW has issued Manufacturer Communication 10190864 to address a whistling noise originating from the fresh air inlet area in the engine compartment of 2021 BMW X3 and X4 vehicles, especially noticeable at speeds above 40 mph.
Also applies to
- BMW X4
- 2021
Symptoms
Owners of certain 2021 BMW X3 and X4 vehicles may experience a distinct whistling noise. This sound typically originates from the fresh air inlet area, located in the engine compartment bulkhead area on the right front side of the vehicle. The 2021 BMW X3 whistling noise is most noticeable when driving at speeds exceeding 40 mph.
Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions
The primary condition for this issue is vehicle speed. The whistling sound consistently appears when the vehicle reaches speeds above 40 mph, indicating an aerodynamic or air pressure-related cause within the fresh air intake system. Technicians should focus their diagnosis on the fresh air inlet and surrounding engine compartment areas.
Repair Procedure Summary
BMW Manufacturer Communication 10190864 has been issued to provide guidance for technicians addressing this whistling noise. While specific repair steps are not detailed in the summary, the communication aims to help resolve the 2021 BMW X3 whistling noise by identifying and correcting the source of the sound within the fresh air inlet system.
Owner Action
If you own a 2021 BMW X3 or X4 and are experiencing a whistling noise from the engine compartment at speeds above 40 mph, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with an authorized BMW dealership. Inform them about the specific symptoms and mention BMW Manufacturer Communication 10190864, as it provides relevant information for diagnosing and resolving this particular issue.
Source: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 10190864
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.
Back Over Prevention, the system this article covers, accounts for 26 of 2,295 complaints (1%), including 2 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 back over prevention
Per the manufacturer, the car requires an oil change every 10,000 miles. However, the engine has a known defect to the manufacturer so that the car only makes it to about 6000 miles before you have to do an oil change. And sometimes the car doesn’t alert you.
Read owner complaints →The functioning of this feature has never worked. We have had a number of near misses in parking lots when exiting a parking space.
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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