Laguna Hills, CA – March 22, 2019 – BMW of North America is recalling certain 2019 X5 xDrive40i and xDrive50i vehicles. The driver’s seat and/or seat belt bolts may not have been properly tightened, increasing the risk of injury to the driver if an accident were to occur. As many as 68 vehicles may be affected by this issue.
The Defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the attachment bolts for the driver’s seat and/or seat belt may not have been properly tightened. A possible sign of this problem is a rattling noise noticeable near the bottom of the seat. The improperly tightened bolts can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Timeline of Events
The first report of this issue occurred Jan. 16, 2019 during vehicle assembly, when a rattling noise was noticed from the area near the attachment point of the driver’s safety belt. Preliminary analysis by BMW suggested that the bolt used to secure the seat belt to the vehicle was inserted, but had not been tightened to specifications. Production was then halted at the assembly plant for all vehicles potentially affected by this problem.
Bolt tightening data from production and quality systems was reviewed for all vehicles from start of production to the point at which assembly was halted. During this review, quality control analysts also found that attachment bolts for the driver’s seat may not have been tightened to specifications.
Following review of production records to determine the number and production range of potentially affected vehicles, BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall Feb. 6, 2019. The records showed that potentially affected vehicles were produced from Oct. 20 to Dec. 15, 2018.
The automaker has not received any reports, nor is BMW otherwise aware of, any accidents or injuries relating to this issue.
The Solution
The recall will begin April 5. BMW will notify owners, telling them to take their vehicle to an authorized BMW center for an inspection of the attachment bolts for the driver’s seat and seat belt. In the event of loose bolts, these will then be tightened to specification, free of charge. If this condition were to occur in a potentially affected vehicle prior to the recall, the repair would be covered by the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty program.
Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V096000.
