Repeated recall for BMW X3 due to luggage compartment rails

04/11/2024

First published 9. 9. 2024, updated 4. 11. 2024 – see below.

Recall for 700,000 BMW X3s also in Europe

BMW is recalling worldwide 703.422 units of the X3 series (model codes: G01 and F97) manufactured between March 2017 and September 2022. According to an official announcement by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the fastening bolts of the lashing rails in the boot must be replaced. Otherwise, the rail and the luggage secured on it risk coming loose in an accident and potentially injuring passengers.

According to research by the kfz-rueckrufe.de website, the recall also affects 103,824 vehicles in Germany. These are BMW X3s equipped with a special equipment storage package (SA 493) and without a special spare wheel (SA 300). It takes approximately 15 minutes to replace the fastening bolts of the luggage compartment lashing rails. In the event of a rear-end collision at speeds above 80 km/h, this measure will prevent the lashing rails from any possible displacement, thereby avoiding the potential risk of injury to rear-seat passengers.

Too long investigation

The first time the problem occurred in the USA was in August 2022, according to an official NHTSA document. An extreme rear-end crash involving a 2022 model year BMW X3 resulted in damage to the rails. However, as BMW could not inspect the car until this spring, the decision to recall the car was not made until 10 July of 2024. US customers are expected to be notified in late August. It still needs to be clear when the letter will be sent to European customers.

Update: The recall with the internal code “0051960500” appeared in the German KBA database on 29 August 2024.

Update 4. 11. 2024

On October 28, 2024, another recall appears in the KBA database for the 47,565 BMW X3 owners who have already had a rails modified. The screw connection of the lashing rail is reworked again (with longer screws), as the corrective measure from Code 0051960500 was not sufficiently effective (screws were too short). The new recall has an internal code 0051070600 and applies to cars built between 2017 and 2024.

Recall details

Make:	BMW
Model:	X3
Year of manufacture:	2017 – 2022
Production:	2017 – 2022
Extent:	703.422
Code:	0051960500
KBA publication date:	29. 8. 2024

Source: KBA 14102R (Search Rückrufcode: 0051960500, 0051070600)

⚠️ Do you know the year your car was made? You most probably don’t

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