Recall 20V-678: Front Axle Support (Stop Drive) – 2020 BMW X5 X6 X7

November 4, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V678000

Front Axle/Right Control Arm Not Welded Properly

If the weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket separates, vehicle handling and control may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V678

Manufacturer BMW of North America, LLC

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 83

 

Summary

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i and X6M vehicles and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket may separate.

 

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle support, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

Check if your BMW has a Recall

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MODEL

 

 

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Vehicles which require this Recall Campaign to be completed will show it as “Open” when checked either in AIR, the “Service Menu” of DCSnet (Dealer Communication System), ISPA Next or Warranty Vehicle Inquiry.

 

SITUATION

BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Safety Recall (effective October 29, 2020) on a small number of Model Year 2020-2021 BMW vehicles that were produced between May 29, 2020 and June 16, 2020.

 

Over time, the front axle support may start to experience a separation at certain welding locations.  This could affect vehicle handling and control, and increase the risk of a crash.

 

CAUSE

Due to an error in the welding process, the tension strut bearing bracket was not welded correctly to the front axle support.

 

CORRECTION

Replace the front axle support.

 

PROCEDURE

Replace the front axle support according to repair instructions REP31 11 001.

 

Note:

For sDrive vehicles and models F95/96, refer to the appropriate attached REP until they are added to ISTA/AIR.

 

PARTS INFORMATION

Only use and invoice the part numbers below that apply.

 

Performing a part number look-up in ETK (EPC) by VIN or model in place of using/invoicing the following part numbers may result with the wrong part numbers being invoiced and installed, this could delay the payment of the claim.

 

 

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Safety Recall 20V-xxx Front Axle Support
Model Year 2020-2021
BMW X5/X5M SAV, X6/X6M SAV, X7 SAV
Issue Date:  10/29/2020
Last Update:  10/29/2020

 

Q1. Which BMW models in the US are potentially affected by this Safety Recall?

A small number of Model Year 2020-2021 BMW X5/X5M SAV, X6/X6M SAV, and X7 SAV models in the US, produced between May and June 2020, are potentially affected.

 

Q2. What is the specific issue?

Over time, the front axle support may start to experience a separation at certain welding locations.  This could affect vehicle handling and control, and increase the risk of a crash.

 

Q3. Why are other models / vehicles not included in this Safety Recall?

The front axle carrier was produced according to specifications.

 

Q4. Can I continue to drive my vehicle?

No.  We do not recommend continuing to drive these vehicles.  If you are not the only driver of this vehicle, please advise all other drivers of this important information.

 

Q5. Can I determine if this issue exists in my vehicle?

No.

 

Q6. How did BMW become aware of the issue?

BMW became aware of the issue through our quality control procedures.

 

Q7. How will I be informed of this Safety Recall?

Owners of the vehicles are being contacted by phone and arrangements are being made for the Safety Recall to be performed.  Alternate transportation will be accommodated.  You can locate your nearest authorized BMW center at www.bmwusa.com/dealer.

To ensure the BMW Group has your most recent contact and vehicle information, please register your BMW vehicle at www.bmwusa.com/myBMW.  Registration is free, and will give you access to factory initiated campaigns and other information specific to your vehicle.

 

Q8. How will my vehicle be repaired?

The front axle support will be replaced for free and will take several hours.

 

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Update:

Customer Relations called all affected customers today.  For those they couldn’t reach, we are sending an in-car notification to their vehicle.  If you are contacted by an affected customer over the weekend please do the following.

• Ask them to stop driving their vehicle
• Provide them with a loaner vehicle
• Create a tow request in the BMW Roadside Assistance Digital Platform in DCSnet or by calling the BMW Assistance hotline 1-800-332-4269 for assistance creating the case.  Please do not direct the customer to call the Roadside Assistance hotline.

Thank you.

 

Message from October 29, 2020:

BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Safety Recall (effective October 29, 2020) on a small number of Model Year 2020-2021 BMW vehicles that were produced between May 29, 2020 and June 16, 2020.

Over time, the front axle support may start to experience a separation at certain welding locations.  This could affect vehicle handling and control, and increase the risk of a crash.

Potentially affected vehicles are not to be driven.

The BMW Customer Relations Department will contact potentially affected customers and will inform them not to drive their vehicle and ask them which dealer they prefer to use. Customer Relations will then arrange to tow the vehicle and will provide assistance with loaner vehicles.

The bulletin will be updated when additional information becomes available.

 

Sincerely,

Technical Service

 

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5 Affected Products

Vehicles

 

 

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10 Associated Documents

Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-2

RCLQRT-20V678-5518.PDF 211.317KB

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Remedy Instructions and TSB – RECALL 20V-XXX: FRONT AXLE SUPPORT (STOP DRIVE)

RCRIT-20V678-9490.pdf 190.354KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-4

RCLQRT-20V678-0410.PDF 211.135KB

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Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-20V678-5196.pdf 3182.249KB

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V678-4028.pdf 243.971KB

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Notification re BMW Recall 20V-xxx: Front Axle Support (Stop Drive)

RCMN-20V678-8389.pdf 162.466KB

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V678-6011.PDF 216.889KB

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Notification re BMW Recall 20V-xxx: Front Axle Support (Stop Drive) – Update

RCMN-20V678-9724.pdf 39.626KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-1

RCLQRT-20V678-0810.PDF 211.237KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2021-3

RCLQRT-20V678-8031.PDF 211.417KB

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V678&docType=RCL

 

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