BMW Recalling Nearly 300,000 X3s Due to Cargo Rail Detachment
Recall Details
- BMW is recalling almost 300,000 X3s in the US over fears the cargo rails in the trunk might detach in an accident.
- A total of 291,112 SUVs need to be returned to dealerships to have their cargo rail securing bolts replaced.
- Affected models include X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M built between 2017 and 2022.
The Importance of Cargo Rails
Cargo rails in a car’s trunk help keep messy loads from spilling all over the place, and also provide protection from heavy luggage during emergency braking. However, BMW has issued a recall for almost 300,000 SUVs due to the risk of their cargo rails breaking off.
Recall Information
A total of 291,112 X3s built between March 2017 and September 2022 for the 2018-2023 model years are affected by the announcement. Owners will need to visit a dealership service center to have their cargo rail securing bolts replaced. This recall includes X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M models.
Potential Risks
While the exact risks are not explicitly mentioned by BMW or the NHTSA, it is likely that the problem lies in the possibility of loads secured using the cargo rails coming loose in the event of a crash.
Recall Chronology
The recall chronology report reveals that BMW became aware of the problem in August 2022 after a crash involving a 22MY X3. However, it took over 18 months for the automaker’s technicians to inspect the vehicle due to the owner building a legal case against the company. Cases were filed in October 2023 and January 2024, and BMW engineers were finally able to analyze the SUV in March of this year, leading to the recall announcement.
Impact on Sales
Prior to the recall being announced, several commenters on the X3 forum on Bimmerpost shared that their pre-owned X3 purchases scheduled for July were canceled as BMW had halted all sales until the problem is resolved.
