BMW X3 recalls

The Safety Recall relates to the engine starter motor. The fault relates to the RSW22 starter RWT (reinforced water tightness). It was found that with RWT starters an increased abrasion of the magnetic contact can cause the growth of deposits at the lowest point of the relay interior. This in turn may increase the relay contact resistance resulting in false starts or even causing short circuits and possibly a thermal reaction. In case of a short circuit the possibility of a thermal event cannot be excluded. This may happen while attempting to start the vehicle or while driving due to vibrations causing a short circuit due to moving deposits.

Fix: On the affected vehicles the starter motor will be replaced with a variant by another supplier with a different design. Until the repair has been completed it is recommended to not leave the vehicle running unattended after starting the engine.

1,502 vehicles · built 28 Sep 2020 to 28 Jan 2022

Affected vehicles may be fitted with a drivers airbag which may deploy with too much explosive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released into the cabin. It has the potential to fatally or seriously injure vehicle occupants.

Fix: Affected vehicles will have the airbag replaced.

14,740 vehicles · built 8 Jan 2006 to 18 Aug 2010

Affected vehicles are already included in Safety Recalls within the markets they have previously resided in. The vehicles may be fitted with a driver and/or passenger airbag/s which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury which could prove fatal to people in the vicinity.

Fix: Vehicles will have the affected airbags checked and if necessary replaced.

• X3: 1,276 vehicles · built 29 Jul 2003 to 1 Jul 2010
• X3: 863 vehicles · built 24 May 2010 to 18 Aug 2017

A quality check has revealed a potential issue with the steering gear software program which monitors the function of two sensors and compares the signals. In the vehicles concerned due to an error in the software the failure of a sensor may not always be detected correctly. When a failure has been detected correctly the driver is notified of it by a Check Control message on the Central Display and minimal change to steering feel.

Fix: To ensure your vehicle is in perfect working order we would like to program the vehicles control units. This work will be free of charge.

5,313 vehicles · built 26 Aug 2024 to 9 Oct 2025

For affected vehicles there is a concern involving water ingress and corrosion to the starter motor for where a short circuit cannot be ruled out. It is strongly recommended to park the vehicle outdoors and not in the immediate vicinity of buildings until the repair has been carried out.

Fix: Replacement of the starter motor.

18,415 vehicles · built 14 Jul 2017 to 5 Nov 2020

On affected vehicles the outer headrests of the second row of seats may not have been manufactured correctly. In case of a collision or an accident they may not provide the necessary protection increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: On the affected vehicles the headrest of the second row seats will be replaced.

411 vehicles · built 11 Jul 2024 to 15 Jul 2025

On affected vehicles the screw connection of the positive battery cable onto the starter generator may not have been performed to specification.

Fix: On affected vehicles the starter generator will be replaced and positive cable will be reworked / replaced if required.

81 vehicles · built 20 Nov 2024 to 24 Feb 2025

On affected vehicles the rear brake hoses may not have been crimped correctly during production.

Fix: Affected vehicles will have the brake hoses replaced.

16 vehicles · built 10 Feb 2025 to 11 Feb 2025

On affected vehicles the 48v connection to the starter generator may not be secured to the correct specification.

Fix: Affected vehicles will have the connection checked and reworked if required.

4 vehicles · built 10 Oct 2024 to 25 Nov 2024

For certain vehicles there is an adaptation measure for the emissions control system.

Fix: The vehicles will have some components of the emissions control system replaced with adapted parts and their control applications will be updated.

20,093 vehicles · built 8 Mar 2010 to 15 Aug 2014

On affected vehicles the screw connection for the luggage lashing rails may not withstand the forces in situations of a rear end impact. This may result in the lashing rail to not crumple as expected in these situations.

Fix: On affected vehicles the luggage lashing rail screws will be replaced with revised screws.

1,581 vehicles · built 16 Aug 2017 to 26 Jun 2024

For the affected vehicles the fabric of the passenger airbag may have been damaged during handling for airbag assembly.

Fix: Replacement of the passenger airbag.

2 vehicles · built 7 Aug 2024 to 7 Aug 2024

Affected vehicles may have had a retrofit or conversion of the airbag using a previously recalled airbag variant which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury possibly fatal to people in the vicinity. The original factory fitment airbag for the vehicle is not affected.

Fix: Vehicles will have the airbag checked and if necessary replaced.

• X3: 43,121 vehicles · built 17 May 2010 to 19 Aug 2017
• X3: 14,346 vehicles · built 13 Oct 2003 to 28 Jul 2006

On affected vehicles the screw connection for the luggage lashing rails may not withstand the forces in situations of a rear end impact. This may result in the lashing rail to not crumple as expected in these situations.

Fix: On affected vehicles the luggage lashing rail screws will be replaced along with additional washers.

15,628 vehicles · built 14 Jul 2017 to 26 Jun 2024

On affected vehicles overtime the aluminium screws can loosen or break on the adjustable variable camshaft timing (VANOS) units potentially resulting in engine emergency mode being activated.

Fix: On affected vehicles the eight aluminium screws will be replaced if evidence of faulty screws is found then the VANOS adjustment unit will also be replaced.

• X3: 8 vehicles · built 12 Oct 2009 to 25 Feb 2010
• X3: 1 vehicle

On affected vehicles a possible degradation due to age of the propellant tablets may lead to over aggressive combustion if the air bag is activated and cause the inflator body to rupture.

Fix: On the affected vehicles the drivers air bag will be replaced.

2,223 vehicles · built 1 Sep 2005 to 3 May 2006

On affected vehicles ingress of transmission fluid may occur to the integrated transmission control unit within the mechatronic module

Fix: On affected vehicles the transmission mechatronic module will be replaced

26 vehicles · built 30 Mar 2023 to 14 Apr 2023

On affected vehicles the three screws connecting the electric motor to the steering gear are potentially not fastened correctly.

Fix: On affected vehicles the steering gear will be replaced

46 vehicles · built 23 Aug 2023 to 18 Sep 2023

On affected vehicles the steering wheel ground connection may have been insufficiently fastened during production which may result in the system detecting the hands are on the steering wheel even though they are not��

Fix: On affected vehicles the steering wheel ground connection will be checked and if required reworked.�

1 vehicle · built 17 Apr 2024 to 17 Apr 2024

On affected vehicles risk of potential flooding could have occurred leading to salt water ingress whilst parked in port awaiting shipping

Fix: The affected vehicles will be thoroughly checked cleaned and reworked as required

231 vehicles · built 15 Aug 2023 to 25 Aug 2023

On affected vehicles the bolted connection to the starter-generator may not have been tightened according to specifications.

Fix: Check and rework the ground connection to the starter generator if required.

1 vehicle · built 6 Nov 2021 to 6 Nov 2021

On affected vehicles the bolted connection for the starter-generator may not have been tightened onto the body (ground) according to specifications.

Fix: Check and rework the ground connection for the starter generator if required.

6 vehicles · built 1 Feb 2022 to 5 Oct 2022

A possible degradation of airbag propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.

Fix: On affected vehicles the drivers airbag module will be replaced.

7,908 vehicles · built 31 Mar 2016 to 22 Aug 2017

Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold.

Fix: The engine management control unit (DDE) will be programmed with improved software incorporating the latest OBD functionality.

• X3: 322,745 vehicles · built 4 Dec 2013 to 22 Aug 2017
• X3: 322,745 vehicles · built 14 Jul 2017 to 19 Aug 2021

The Exhaust Gas Recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident.

Fix: On the affected vehicles the EGR cooler module will be replaced.

• X3: 319,399 vehicles · built 20 Oct 2010 to 22 Aug 2017
• X3: 319,399 vehicles · built 3 May 2018 to 2 Apr 2019

During a service visit the affected vehicles have been updated with software that could misinterpret certain input parameters for the engine management system.

Fix: The control units will be reprogrammed with an improved version of software.

6,401 vehicles · built 14 Jul 2017 to 2 May 2019

The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Module could leak over time�and cause thermal incident.

Fix: The EGR cooler will be internally inspected with an endoscope and replaced if evidence of leaking is found.

18,330 vehicles · built 1 Apr 2017 to 22 Aug 2017

Leaking glycol coolant could create in combination with soot and oil sediments in the EGR module ignitable deposits.

Fix: The EGR cooler will be internally inspected with an endoscope and replaced if evidence of leaking is found.

• X3: 63,888 vehicles · built 14 Jul 2017 to 3 Nov 2018
• X3: 63,888 vehicles · built 31 Mar 2014 to 22 Aug 2017

The battery cables on the 48V starter generator may not have been sufficiently secured during the production process.

Fix: Check the screw connection of the 48V positive / negative battery cables on the starter generator and rework if necessary.

388 vehicles · built 10 Jun 2020 to 25 Nov 2020

A possibility of impurities contained in the HV batteries may cause short circuit.

Fix: Testing of battery charge cycles and replacement of the HV cells where necessary.

2,665 vehicles · built 3 Jun 2020 to 17 Sep 2020

On affected vehicles seat belt mounting bolts may not be securely attached.

Fix: Check connections of both front seat belts and rework if necessary.

88 vehicles · built 6 Dec 2019 to 30 Jul 2020

The cable lengths for the electric connection of the hall sensor integrated inside the seatbelt buckle could be too short.

Fix: R; The front seat belt buckles will be checked and replaced if they are found to be faulty.

326 vehicles · built 15 Jan 2020 to 14 Feb 2020

Deployment of the passenger air bag could damage the instrument panel

Fix: On the affected vehicle the instrument panel trim will be replaced

1 vehicle · built 11 Jan 2018 to 11 Jan 2018

The swivel bearing/s on the front axle of the affected vehicles may not have been produced to specification.

Fix: The swivel bearing/s on the affected vehicles will be replaced.

13 vehicles · built 4 Sep 2019 to 7 Sep 2019

The front seatbacks may not have been welded to specifications by the sub-supplier.

Fix: On the affected vehicles the front seat structure will be replaced.

1 vehicle · built 31 Jul 2019 to 31 Jul 2019

Vehicles may not have had the rear spoiler properly attached

Fix: The screw connection of the rear spoiler will be inspected and if necessary screws installed.

436 vehicles · built 5 Apr 2018 to 14 Jan 2019

The screw at the bottom steering spindle connection may be tightened incorrectly.

Fix: The screw connection at the bottom steering spindle will be checked replaced and tightened to the correct specifications.

53 vehicles · built 11 Apr 2018 to 2 Aug 2018

The EGR cooler may leakpresenting a fire risk

Fix: A visual inspection of the EGR cooler to check for leaks and excessive build-up of deposits. The EGR cooler will be replaced on all affected vehicles

225,449 vehicles · built 5 Aug 2010 to 17 Jun 2017

The EGR cooler may leakpresenting a fire risk.

Fix: The EGR cooler will be replaced with an improved version.

• X3: 153,602 vehicles · built 4 Dec 2013 to 3 Jun 2017
• X3: 153,602 vehicles · built 10 Mar 2017 to 24 Oct 2017

The fault affects the brake system in particular the brake calipers on the rear axle. Because of a faulty coating hydrogen gas (approximately 10 ml) could be created in the coating of the piston of the brake caliper. This will be completely outgassed during the first 2 months after the production process causing longer brake pedal travel. Under certain circumstances the relevant brake pressure cannot be build up in the rear brake circuit. As a result the brake force of the system may be reduced by up to 30%. The driver may feel a soft brake pedal and a reduction of the brake performance. In certain cases the rear brake circuit could fail leading to increased risk of an accident.

Fix: On the affected vehicles the brake system will be bled.

1,032 vehicles · built 16 Apr 2018 to 8 Jun 2018