2016 BMW X4

The defect

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

The risk

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

The remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 720,796 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.

The risk

Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.

The remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 188,668 vehicles across all model years covered

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

towed · 90,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW X4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN. THE SUSPENSION DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS NOT REPAIRED. BMW OF OWINGS MILLS (9702 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117, (410) 902-8700) WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE ENGINE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint 11416176. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 69,777 miles

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X4. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the engine temperature warning light was illuminated. The engine overheated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was stuck in the middle of the street. The vehicle was restarted; however, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to the warranty company; however, the contact was informed that the failure was an electrical failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. …

NHTSA complaint 11646352, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X4. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint 11673979. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint 11638252. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

My daughter [XXX] had an oil change on 2-23-2024, and was told that fluid was leaking. In less than 2 weeks, the leakage had worsen. All the electrical components were flashing and the vehicle was cutting on and off. Eventually it stopped running. Her fiance, [XXX] , had the vehicle towed to an auto repair shop that specializes in European cars on 3-25-2024. She was quoted for a new engine, cost $12,500, which was about the same as what was owed. Since we couldn't afford the cost of a new engine, we did a voluntary surrender to the finance company, Foursight Capital. They sent us a notification for an Explanation of Calculation of Surplus or Deficiency. Had we been informed about the recall …

NHTSA complaint 11609802, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

89,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X4. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal popping noise was coming from vehicle while driving over a speed bump or while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed; the diagnostic test showed that the control arm was defective. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA complaint 11577529. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

After starting vehicle and putting it into drive, I received a Parking Brake Malfunction error message. The electronic parking brake was engaged and it could not be release allowing the vehicle to move. I attempted to reset the electronic parking brake following the dealerships recommendations. 1) remove and replace the fuses for the parking system (3 fuses) and 2) disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes and re-connecting the battery in order to reset the computer. Neither of these methods worked, and there is no way to manually release the parking brake. Ultimately, the vehicle was towed to the local BMW dealership for service. They have not been able to diagnose or fix the issue. …

NHTSA complaint 11540779, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.