2020 BMW 3 Series

Issue: On certain vehicles, the driver and front passenger knee airbags were not assembled correctly. This could cause the airbags not to inflate properly in a crash. Safety Risk: A knee airbag that does not deploy properly could create an increased risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to replace the driver and/or front passenger knee airbag modules as required.

Issue: On certain xDrive models, the front axle swivel bearing(s) (steering knuckles) may break due to a manufacturing defect. This could affect handling and cause reduced steering control. Safety Risk: A sudden change in handling and reduced steering control could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: None of the affected vehicles have been sold to retail customers. BMW will instruct dealers to replace the front axle swivel bearing(s) before the vehicles are sold.

Issue: On certain vehicles, the rearview camera does not return to the default settings when it turns on. This could make the rearview image difficult to see if a driver had previously adjusted the camera display brightness at or near the lowest setting, and contrast at or near the highest setting. Canadian regulations require that the rearview display returns to the default view each time the camera is turned on. Safety Risk: Reduced rear visibility could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the rearview camera. Drivers are recommended not to adjust the display brightness at or near the lowest setting, and contrast at or near the highest setting, until this recall is completed.

Issue: On certain vehicles, there may be a problem with the front seat belt buckle sensors. This could cause the seat belt warnings to turn on, even if the front seat belts are buckled. If the driver ignores these warnings, the seat belt pretensioner and airbag systems may not function properly. Safety Risk: A seat belt pretensioner or airbag system that does not work properly in a crash could increase the risk of injury. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to check the front seat belt buckles and replace them, if necessary.

Issue: On certain vehicles, high temperatures and excessive vibration could cause damage to the steering tie rods. If this happens, the tie rods could break. This could result in a loss of steering control. Safety Risk: A loss of steering control could create a risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the steering tie rods.

Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear correctly in the central display. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse gear. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display correctly could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the rearview camera software, if necessary.

Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the vacuum pump to be damaged during engine starting. If this happens, there could be a loss of brake assist. This can cause an increase in brake pedal effort and increase the distance needed to stop the vehicle. Safety Risk: A sudden increase in brake pedal force could lead to an increased stopping distance. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the engine management software.

Issue: On certain vehicles, if you try to start the engine repeatedly, the starter could overheat. If this happens, and nearby components contact the starter, it could cause a fire. Safety Risk: A fire can create the risk of injury. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the vehicle software.

Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: This error does not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. The company has corrected the tire and loading information label for all new vehicles.

Issue: On certain vehicles, water could leak into the starter relay and cause it to corrode. If this happens, the relay could short circuit and the starter could overheat. Safety Risk: A short circuit and/or a starter that overheats can create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, BMW advises that you should park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been completed. BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the engine starter.

Issue: On certain vehicles, the recall repairs completed by a BMW dealer during recall 12 83 24RC (Transport Canada recall no. 2024-444) may not be effective. As a result, certain vehicles require a second repair. On certain vehicles, if you try to start the engine repeatedly, the starter could overheat. If this happens, and nearby components contact the starter, it could cause a fire. Safety Risk: A fire can create the risk of injury. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the engine starter.