RECALL 21V-554: Safety Belt Retractor – 2021 MINI Cooper

July 21, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V554000

Passenger Seat Belt Malfunction/FMVSS 208

During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V554

Manufacturer BMW of North America, LLC

Components SEAT BELTS

Potential Number of Units Affected 21,537

 

Summary

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.”

 

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).

 

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.nhtsa.gov.

 

Check if your BMW has a Recall

 


SIM 72 01 21
2021-07-23

RECALL 21V-554: SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR

This Service Information Bulletin (Revision #1) replaces SI M72 01 21 dated July 2021.

 

What’s New (Specific text highlighted):

  • Cause, Correction, Procedure, Parts, Warranty sections added

 

MODEL

E-SeriesModel DescriptionProduction Date
F54MINI ClubmanDecember 1, 2020 – February 5, 2021
F55MINI Hardtop 4 DoorNovember 30, 2020 – February 5, 2021
F56MINI Hardtop 2 DoorNovember 30, 2020 – February 5, 2021
F57MINI ConvertibleJanuary 20, 2021 – February 8, 2021
F60MINI CountrymanDecember 8, 2020 – February 12, 2021

 

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 Non-Compliance Recall (effective July 15, 2021) on certain Model Year 2021 MINI vehicles that were produced between November 30, 2020 and February 12, 2021.

 

The passenger front safety belt retractor may not have been produced to supplier specifications.  As a result, it may not be possible to firmly secure (“lock”) a child seat in place using the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) function.  However, in a crash, the safety belt will still lock and firmly secure a child seat (or a passenger) via the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) function.  Also, the LATCH system (lower anchors and top tether) is available in all potentially affected vehicles for use with a child seat, if the child seat has the corresponding LATCH system.

 

The Recall Notice and Q&A have been attached for further information.

 

CAUSE

The passenger’s front safety belt retractor may not have been produced to supplier specifications.

 

CORRECTION

The passenger’s front safety belt retractor will be inspected for correct function and, if necessary, replaced.

 

PROCEDURE

 

Step 1: Put the seat belt across the empty front passenger seat and insert the metal tongue of the belt into the buckle.

 

Step 2: Pull the seat belt strap all the way out of the retractor to activate the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR). You will feel/hear when the belt is fully pulled out of the retractor.

 

Step 3: Carefully let the seat belt retract fully back into the retractor while the seat belt remains buckled simulating a restrained child seat. You will notice that when in ALR mode, there is a ratcheting/clicking noise from the retractor.  This is normal.

 

Step 4: Grasp the torso portion of the belt and carefully pull on the belt in an attempt to pull the belt back out of the retractor. The seat belt should not pull out of the retractor.

 

Step 5: Unlatch the belt, and let it completely retract back into the retractor.

 

Step 6: Repeat steps 1- 5 five times (a total of 6 cycles)

 

Conclusion: Is the seat belt locked so that the strap cannot be pulled out of the retractor in step 4?

Yes: The ALR function works properly and the seat belt assembly meets FMVSS requirements

No: ALR does not work properly, the faulty seat belt must be replaced according to the repair instructions.

 

PARTS INFORMATION

Do not order seat belts for stock or scheduled appointments as the failure rate is less than 1%.

If needed, obtain and confirm the part numbers for your specific vehicle by entering the chassis number in either ETK or AIR which takes into account specific equipment and/or options.

Note: Other small parts, such as screws, nuts and seals, which are to be replaced on the basis of the ISTA repair instructions, must be selected from ETK according to the respective vehicle type and billed under the special find number.

 

Note:

The parts to be replaced in the context of a technical action are not subject to the Teile-Clearing process.

 


NON-COMPLIANCE RECALL NOTICE

 

To:  All Center Operators, Sales Managers, Service Manager, Parts Manager and Warranty Processor

RE: Recall 21V-xxx: Safety Belt Retractor – M72 01 21

BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Non-Compliance Recall (effective July 15, 2021) on certain Model Year 2021 MINI vehicles that were produced between November 30, 2020 and February 12, 2021.

 

Please be reminded that it is a violation of federal law (The Safety Act) for you to sell, lease or deliver any new motor vehicle covered by this notification until the recall repair has been performed.  This means that centers may not legally deliver new motor vehicles to consumers until they are fixed or use/sell replacement equipment/parts subject to this recall.  Note also that substantial civil penalties apply to violations of the Safety Act. 

 

Also, you should not sell, lease or deliver any Certified Pre-Owned or used vehicles subject to a safety recall until the repair is completed. 

 

Please follow any special instructions that we provide to you for the return or disposition of recall parts.

 

We appreciate all your assistance with this Recall.


Non-Compliance Recall
21V-xyz
Safety Belt
Model Year 2021
BMW / MINI
Issue Date:  07/15/2021

 

Q1. Which BMW Group models in the US are potentially affected by this Non-Compliance Recall?

Certain Model Year 2021 BMW and MINI models in the US are potentially affected.

 

Q2. What is the specific issue?

The safety belt retractor (except for the driver’s seat), may not have been produced to supplier specifications.  As a result, it may not be possible to firmly secure (“lock”) a Child Restraint System (CRS) (“child seat”) in place using the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) function of the retractor.  [In the paragraph below, the ALR system is described.]  However, in a crash, the safety belt will still lock and firmly secure a child seat (or a passenger) via the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) function.  Also, the LATCH system (lower anchors and top tether) is available in all potentially affected vehicles for use with a child seat, if the child seat has the corresponding LATCH system.

ALR Function Description

The Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) function can be used to help secure a Child Restraint System (CRS) (“child seat”).  To secure a child seat, the belt is pulled all the way out, weaved through the child seat, and latched into the safety belt buckle.  As the belt is then let back into the retractor, a clicking noise is noticed which, when the belt is completely let back into the retractor, secures the child seat on the vehicle seat.

 

Q3. Why are other models / vehicles not included in this Non-Compliance Recall?

Other models have a safety belt retractor that has been produced to specifications.

 

Q4. Can I continue to drive my vehicle?

Yes.  However, when you are notified by BMW / MINI, please contact an authorized BMW center / MINI dealer and schedule an appointment to have this important Non-Compliance Recall performed as soon as possible.  For the latest updates to this Non-Compliance Recall, please visit bmwusa.com/recall or minisua.com/recall.  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 Group become aware of the issue?

BMW Group became aware of the issue through its quality control procedures.

 

Q7. How will I be informed of this Non-Compliance Recall?

Owners of potentially affected vehicles will be notified via First Class mail, advising them of this Non-Compliance Recall, and requesting them to schedule an appointment with an authorized BMW center / MINI dealer to have the remedy performed.  Owners can locate their nearest authorized BMW center at bmwusa.com/dealer, and MINI dealer at miniusa.com/dealer.

To ensure BMW has your recent contact and vehicle information, owners should visit bmwusa.com/recall and click on “Manage recall notices and contact information”.  To ensure MINI has your most recent contact and vehicle information, owners should visit miniusa.com/ol.

 

Q8. How will my vehicle be remedied?

The safety belt retractor will be checked and, if necessary, replaced for free and should take about one hour.

 

Q9. Do I have to wait for my letter to have my vehicle serviced?

Yes.  BMW Group is in the process of ensuring that the necessary tools, parts, and procedures are available prior to contacting you to schedule an appointment with your authorized BMW center / MIN dealer to have this important Non-Compliance Recall performed.

 



26 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
BMW228I2021
BMW230I2021
BMW330E2021
BMW330I2021
BMW430I2021
BMW530I2021
BMW540I2021
BMWM22021
BMWM235I2021
BMWM240I2021
BMWM32021
BMWM340I2021
BMWM42021
BMWM440I2021
BMWX12021
BMWX22021
BMWZ42021
MINICOOPER2021
MINICOOPER S2021
MINICOOPER S CLUBMAN2021
MINICOOPER SE2021
MINICOUNTRYMAN2021
ROLLS-ROYCECULLINAN2021
ROLLS-ROYCEGHOST2021
ROLLS-ROYCEPHANTOM2021
TOYOTASUPRA2021

 


18 Associated Documents

Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21V554-8499.pdf 307.324KB

 


Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-21V554-1851.pdf 781.708KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Message re MINI Recall 21V-xxx: Safety Belt Retractor

RCMN-21V554-8472.pdf 269.713KB

 


Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21V554-3237.pdf 301.19KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Message re BMW Recall 21V-xxx: Safety Belt Retractor

RCMN-21V554-1383.pdf 274.466KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer package re Certain 2021 Model Year Supra Passenger Seatbelt Automatic Locking Retractor Function May Not Activate

RCMN-21V554-2320.pdf 356.602KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Package re Certain 2021 Model Year Supra Passenger Seatbelt Automatic Locking Retractor Function May Not Activate

RCMN-21V554-0674.pdf 381.287KB

 


Miscellaneous Document

RMISC-21V554-8990.pdf 213.72KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Dealer Notification re Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Aftersales Bulletin A 07 2021 06 U RR11/12 RR21/22 RR31 Seat Belt ALR Function

RCMN-21V554-5378.pdf 2044.083KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21V554-4488.pdf 352.317KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21V554-8450.pdf 1198.482KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21V554-2106.pdf 911.228KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-3

RCLQRT-21V554-4386.PDF 211.141KB

 


Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21V554-1114.pdf 2044.083KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21V554-9239.pdf 783.565KB

 


Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21V554-6570.pdf 2027.798KB

 


Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21V554-5638.pdf 490.272KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-4

RCLQRT-21V554-5594.PDF 211.246KB

 


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