BMW seats may not restrain occupants properly in crash
BMW is recalling certain 2019–2021 3-series and X3/X4 models because the seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails, risking occupant injury in a crash.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The source describes a structural vehicle defect involving seat restraint failure in a crash with stated risk of occupant injury, but the source text does not report any actual injuries or deaths. This matches the High rubric criterion for risk-of-harm vehicle defects where injury has not yet been reported.
Plain-English summary
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019–2021 BMW 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, 2020–2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, 2021 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, and X4M vehicles. The seat frame may not have been welded properly to the seat rails.
An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the seat frame and back rest free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or visit www.nhtsa.gov.
The recalled product
- Product
- BMW X3, M340I, 330I, X4
- Brand
- BMW
- Manufacturer
- BMW of North America, LLC
- Category
- Vehicle — Passenger Vehicles
- Affected units
- 51
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (4)
- X3
- M340I
- 330I
- X4
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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