BMW is issuing a recall for 291,112 vehicles in the U.S. due to a potential safety issue with their interior cargo rails. Specifically, during an “extreme” rear crash, there is a risk that the cargo rails could detach, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. This recall affects certain models of the X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M vehicles that were manufactured between 2018 and 2023 and have the factory cargo rails installed.
The decision to recall these vehicles came after BMW received a report in August 2022, which led to a lawsuit against the company. Unfortunately, the details of the reported incident and the owner’s claim were not disclosed in the recall report. BMW simply stated that in rare cases, if the attachment became damaged, the rail could start to separate from the vehicle body, increasing the risk of injury.
The potential dangers of this issue are significant. If a cargo tie-down fails, secured cargo can become a projectile within the vehicle, posing a danger to occupants. Additionally, if the rails themselves are deformed or detached sufficiently, they could also pose a threat to vehicle occupants. However, without more information from BMW, it is difficult to ascertain the exact risks associated with this particular issue.
The remedy for this recall is relatively straightforward. BMW will replace the cargo rail mounting hardware with new bolts. However, until the new hardware arrives at dealer service departments, existing 2023 X3 models with factory cargo rails cannot be sold. It is worth noting that models with the spare tire kit installed in the rear cargo area are not affected by this recall.
BMW is taking appropriate measures to inform both dealers and customers about the recall. However, there is currently no estimated time of arrival for the replacement mounting hardware.
In conclusion, BMW’s recall of over 291,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to a potential issue with the interior cargo rails is a necessary step to address safety concerns. While the specific risks associated with this issue remain unclear, BMW’s decision to replace the cargo rail mounting hardware as a precautionary measure demonstrates their commitment to ensuring the safety of their customers.
