2022-2023 BMW IX Air Bag Control Module Software Recall (22V240)
BMW of North America, LLC · 3,166 vehicles · Reported April 13, 2022
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling 3,166 2022-2023 BMW IX vehicles. The air bag malfunction indicator light and display message may not illuminate in the event of a problem with the air bag control or pedestrian protection systems, due to incorrect software. An air bag malfunction indicator light that fails to warn the driver of a problem increases the risk of injury in a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 22V240 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V240000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Not listed |
| Date reported to NHTSA | April 13, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2022-2023 BMW IX |
| Units affected | 3,166 |
| Component | Air Bags > Air Bag / Restraint Control Module > Software |
| Safety risk | An air bag malfunction indicator light that fails to warn the driver of a problem increases the risk of injury in a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2022-2023 BMW IX in recall 22V240?
The air bag malfunction indicator light and display message may not illuminate in the event of a problem with the air bag control or pedestrian protection systems, due to incorrect software.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 iX xDrive40, iX XDrive50, and iX M60 vehicles. The air bag malfunction indicator light and display message may not illuminate in the event of a problem with the air bag control or pedestrian protection systems, due to incorrect software.
Is it safe to drive a 2022-2023 IX with recall 22V240?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An air bag malfunction indicator light that fails to warn the driver of a problem increases the risk of injury in a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An air bag malfunction indicator light that fails to warn the driver of a problem increases the risk of injury in a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the software.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V240?
Recall 22V240 covers 3,166 vehicles: 2022-2023 BMW IX.
NHTSA lists 3,166 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | BMW | IX |
What is the fix for the IX air bag control module software recall?
Yes. Dealers will reprogram the air bag control unit software, free of charge.
Dealers will reprogram the air bag control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 13, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
When was recall 22V240 announced?
BMW of North America, LLC reported recall 22V240 to NHTSA on April 13, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as June 13, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 13, 2022 | BMW of North America, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V240000. |
| June 13, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 54 months ago. If your IX was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my IX is part of recall 22V240?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V240 is open on your IX, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 22V240000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should IX owners do about recall 22V240?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 22V240000 applies to your IX.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized BMW dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the software happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are IX owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 13 of them about the air bags.
Since recall 22V240 was reported on April 13, 2022, owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the air bags on these vehicles. 1 of them (8%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the air bags and were received on or after April 13, 2022, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related air bags issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 67 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 13 of them involve the air bags. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 BMW IX: 38 complaints in total, 12 about the air bags
- 2022 BMW IX: 29 complaints in total, 1 about the air bags
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The contact owns a 2023 BMW iX. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle crashed into the front and rear passenger side of the vehicle without warning. The air bags failed to deploy. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed.
2023 BMW IX owner, MS, NHTSA complaint 11517903, filed April 19, 2023
Air bag may not deploy on drivers side causing potential death to a driver that is already a chronic neck pain, poising a worse threat to the driver. I bought a car that I thought was safe and had air bags.
2023 BMW IX owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11519781, filed May 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2023 BMW IX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V079000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
2023 BMW IX owner, OR, NHTSA complaint 11520115, filed May 2, 2023
Can recall 22V240 make my IX a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this software recall means their IX qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Air bag defects are hidden until the moment they matter most. A recall repair may replace an inflator or sensor, but if warning lights return or the system faults again, that is a repeat repair for a safety defect.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2022-2023 BMW IX has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the IX went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your IX been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other BMW IX recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 22V240
Did the recall 22V240 fix work?
Since recall 22V240 was reported on April 13, 2022, owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the air bags on these vehicles. 1 of them (8%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed June 13, 2022.
Is the 22V240000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my IX is part of recall 22V240000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
What if my air bag light stays on after the recall repair?
Go back to the dealer. A warning light that returns means the system may not deploy correctly, and the visit is another repair attempt for a safety defect.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 22V240000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or BMW. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.