BMW has issued a recall affecting 291,112 vehicles in the U.S. due to the risk of interior cargo rails detaching during an “extreme” rear crash. The recall includes certain X3 models manufactured between 2018 and 2023 with factory cargo rails installed. BMW customers reported a stop-sale order for 2023 X3 models in July, although the 2024 models do not have this rear cargo configuration and are not subject to the recall.
The recall was prompted by an incident reported to BMW in August 2022, which resulted in a lawsuit against the manufacturer. The specific details of the incident and the owner’s claim were not disclosed in the recall report. BMW stated that in rare cases, if the attachment becomes damaged, the rail could separate from the vehicle body, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.
The potential dangers of a failed cargo tie-down include secured cargo becoming a projectile, posing a threat to occupants. The rails themselves, if deformed or detached, could also pose a hazard to occupants. The remedy for this issue is a simple replacement of the cargo rail mounting hardware, requiring new bolts. Until the new hardware is available in dealer service departments, BMW cannot sell existing 2023 X3 models with factory cargo rails, while those with the spare tire kit installed in the rear cargo area are exempt.
Dealer and customer notifications regarding the recall are being distributed, but there is no specified timeline for the replacement mounting hardware’s arrival. As BMW addresses this safety concern, affected vehicle owners are encouraged to contact their local dealership for further information and updates on the recall process.