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2020 BMW 3 Series Edit

Recalls

Near Ashburn, VA
20146

13 Safety Recalls Found for Cars Like Yours

Recalls may not affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. Use your VIN or plate to find out if your specific car has open recalls.

2020 BMW 3 Series Recalls

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
19V912000

Report Date:
DEC 19, 2019

Vehicles Affected:
135

Consequence:

In the event of a crash, if the seat belt pretensioners fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.

What You Should Do:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear seat belts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 10, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer at 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 330i and 330i xDrive vehicles. The outboard rear seat belt pretensioners may not lock as intended during a crash.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
21V598000

Report Date:
AUG 01, 2021

Vehicles Affected:
50024

Consequence:

Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
19V755000

Report Date:
OCT 22, 2019

Vehicles Affected:
325

Consequence:

If a person were inside the trunk compartment, they may not be able to get out, increasing their risk of injury.

What You Should Do:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the interior trunk release cable and properly install the cable, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 330i, 330i xDrive and M340i vehicles. The interior trunk release cable may have been improperly installed, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
24V576000

Report Date:
JUL 31, 2024

Vehicles Affected:
105588

Consequence:

A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.

What You Should Do:
Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 23, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
23V211000

Report Date:
MAR 28, 2023

Vehicles Affected:
51

Consequence:

An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What You Should Do:
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.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 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.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
19V732000

Report Date:
OCT 14, 2019

Vehicles Affected:
217

Consequence:

If the counterbalance shaft loosens, severe engine damage could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 330i, 330i xDrive, and 2019 Z4 vehicles. The needle roller bearings of the counterbalance shafts may have been improperly installed, potentially causing the counterbalance shaft to loosen.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
20V164000

Report Date:
MAR 18, 2020

Vehicles Affected:
3316

Consequence:

If the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioners deploy improperly in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

What You Should Do:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt buckles, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X3 xDrive30e, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, X4M, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, M850i xDrive Gran Coupe, M8 Gran Coupe, X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, and 840i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The sensors in the front seat belt buckles may inaccurately detect a belted occupant as unbelted, possibly causing the air bag and seat belt pretensioners to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
20V355000

Report Date:
JUN 14, 2020

Vehicles Affected:
2779

Consequence:

A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
BMW and Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear tie rods, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 Z4 sDrive30i, 2019-2020 330i xDrive, M340i and M340i xDrive, 2020 X3M and X4M, and Toyota Supra vehicles. In certain driving conditions, such as high temperatures and rough road surfaces, a steering gear tie rod may become damaged, possibly resulting in a fractured tie rod.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
23V584000

Report Date:
AUG 15, 2023

Vehicles Affected:
144

Consequence:

An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.

What You Should Do:
Dealers will update the receiver audio module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2022 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 2022 430i Coupe, 2021-2022 430i, M440i Convertible, and 2020-2022 228i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles. The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the driver to fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
19V600000

Report Date:
AUG 13, 2019

Vehicles Affected:
2

Consequence:

If the headrest folds down in a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury.

What You Should Do:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear center headrest, free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling one 2020 M340i and one M340i xDrive vehicle. Due to improper welding, the rear center headrest may fold in the event of a rear impact crash.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
19V684000

Report Date:
SEP 26, 2019

Vehicles Affected:
257473

Consequence:

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
21V096000

Report Date:
FEB 18, 2021

Vehicles Affected:
13858

Consequence:

If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

What You Should Do:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:
19V850000

Report Date:
NOV 26, 2019

Vehicles Affected:
245

Consequence:

Headlight failure can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

What You Should Do:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlight control units, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

Summary:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 Z4 M40i, Z4 sDrive30i, 330i and 330i xDrive vehicles as well as 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The headlight control units may fail causing a loss of one or both of the headlights.

To see if your specific vehicle is affected

Tip: Recalls don’t affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. You’ll need your car’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to know for sure.

Recall information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

BMW Recall Service Centers

Near Ashburn, VA
20146

View:

2020 3 Series Recall Q&A

Car Recall Questions


What do I do if I've gotten a recall notice?

First: Read the notice carefully and don’t ignore it. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, only 75% of vehicles involved in a recall are actually repaired. So be sure to pay attention when you see an envelope in the mail labelled “Safety Recall Notice”.

The notice will tell you what the defect is, possible warning signs and what to do next. And while a recall notice might dredge up feelings of fear and anxiety, focus on two bits of good news:

  • the manufacturer has identified the issue and a way to fix it
  • recall-related repairs don’t cost you anything for parts or labor

Second: Bring your vehicle to the dealer.

Next, make a service appointment with an authorized dealer who sells that brand. It doesn’t have to be the same place where you bought it, and it doesn’t matter if you bought the car new or used. But you DO need to take it to an authorized dealer. If your family mechanic does the recall repairs, you’ll probably be responsible for the cost.

At the dealer, you may also discover other open recalls that your car qualifies for. The dealer is obligated to complete these repairs too – also at no cost to you.

Third: The dealer makes the repairs.

For many people, the hardest part is finding a convenient time for the recall-related repairs. Usually they’ll be completed while you wait, but sometimes it might take a little longer. Ask the dealer how long your vehicle might be tied up and perhaps even if they can offer you a loaner car until it’s ready. Or if you have a little more time to plan, find out what services and amenities your local dealer offers.

Learn more about what to do in a recall.

How do I check for a recall on my car?

In most cases, the automaker will send you a notice in the mail to announce a recall. But if you’re the proactive type – or if you bought the car used – you might want to check for a recall yourself.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 100 million new and used vehicles were involved in some sort of safety-related recall in 2014-15. Recalls vary in severity, but they all relate to the safety of the vehicle, so they’re all worth paying attention to.

Start by looking up the year, make and model of your vehicle on a site like KBB.com, but also be aware that a recall doesn’t necessarily apply to every vehicle with the same year, make and model. Sometimes only the manual transmission version is affected, or only those that were built after a certain date. The best way to know for sure is to call the phone number that we provide on your vehicle’s recall page or go to the government NHTSA site and look up your specific car by its 17-character VIN number.

And if you REALLY want to stay on top of recalls, you could check back here periodically, or NHTSA offers downloadable Android Auto and Apple CarPlay apps with recall information, plus NHTSA maintains a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter to announce recalls.

Learn more about how to stay current on recalls.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

Once the manufacturer (or NHTSA) has discovered that a safety recall is necessary on your vehicle, you won’t have to pay anything for recall-related repairs. All the parts and labor necessary to complete the repair are paid for by the manufacturer (who reimburses the dealer). This is true even if you bought the car used or bought it from a private party.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • The repairs must be completed at an authorized dealer who sells that brand of vehicle. If you choose to use your own mechanic, you might end up paying the bill.
  • If you received a recall letter in the mail, bring it to the dealer. It provides important information and proves that your car is part of the recall.
  • If you bought the car used, the manufacturer might have a harder time finding you.

There is one exception to the fact that recall repairs are free – vehicles older than 10 years old are outside the statute of limitation and usually don’t qualify.

Why is a vehicle recalled?

A recall occurs when a manufacturer or NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) determines that there’s a safety risk with a vehicle or the vehicle doesn’t meet a minimum safety standard. Usually, a recall covers only certain parts or equipment on a vehicle; it’s rare for the whole vehicle to be recalled.

Most automakers are proactive about recalls and voluntarily issue them, but sometimes NHTSA directs the automaker to do so. Some recalls get a lot of press, as with high-profile recalls relating to airbags in the last few years, but more often, recalls happen without much fanfare.
Recalls are only issued in cases where the vehicle’s safety is in question, but that doesn’t mean you’re in immediate danger. Even so, you should have the repairs done as soon as you can. The good news is that, in case of a recall, the automaker has discovered a fix – and that fix is available at no cost to you (except, perhaps, for the hours the vehicle is being repaired).

Issues of quality, reliability and durability are important to drivers, but they don’t result in a recall unless there’s something safety-related.

Finally, please keep in mind just because there’s a recall on cars matching your car’s make and model, it doesn’t mean that your car is affected. To know for sure, we provide a number you can call to check if your car is part of the recall. You’ll need to have your car’s unique 17-character VIN number handy when you call.

Pricing for Common 2020 BMW 3 Series Repairs & Services

Pricing for all 2020 BMW 3 Series Repairs & Services

Data Unavailable for This Repair


Why Does This Happen?

This usually happens with older/less-common vehicles or if the manufacturer no longer makes vehicles. And certain repairs don’t apply to every make & model.