2023 BMW X5 Seat Fastener Recall (22V942)
BMW of North America, LLC · 4 vehicles · Reported December 19, 2022
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling 4 2023 BMW X5 vehicles. One of the four bolts that connects the backrest to the driver's seat frame may not have been correctly installed. A loose driver's seat backrest may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 22V942 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V942000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Not listed |
| Date reported to NHTSA | December 19, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2023 BMW X5 |
| Units affected | 4 |
| Component | Seats > Critical Fasteners |
| Safety risk | A loose driver's seat backrest may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2023 BMW X5 in recall 22V942?
One of the four bolts that connects the backrest to the driver's seat frame may not have been correctly installed.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, X5 M50i and X5 xDrive 45e vehicles. One of the four bolts that connects the backrest to the driver's seat frame may not have been correctly installed.
Is it safe to drive a 2023 X5 with recall 22V942?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A loose driver's seat backrest may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A loose driver's seat backrest may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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 critical fasteners.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V942?
Recall 22V942 covers 4 vehicles: 2023 BMW X5.
NHTSA lists 4 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | BMW | X5 |
What is the fix for the X5 seat fastener recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect the driver's seat backrest and if necessary, install an attachment bolt, free of charge.
Dealers will inspect the driver's seat backrest and if necessary, install an attachment bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
When was recall 22V942 announced?
BMW of North America, LLC reported recall 22V942 to NHTSA on December 19, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as February 17, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 19, 2022 | BMW of North America, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V942000. |
| February 17, 2023 | Owner notification letters scheduled (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 46 months ago. If your X5 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my X5 is part of recall 22V942?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V942 is open on your X5, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 22V942000 is open on your X5, it will be listed there. You can also ask any BMW dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should X5 owners do about recall 22V942?
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 22V942000 applies to your X5.
- 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 critical fasteners 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 recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are X5 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the body, doors and seats.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the body, doors and seats have been filed since recall 22V942 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 33 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the body, doors and seats. 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 X5: 33 complaints in total, 0 about the body, doors and seats
Can recall 22V942 make my X5 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 critical fasteners recall means their X5 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)).
Door latch, seat and body structure defects can affect safety in a crash and everyday use. If the recall repair does not solve the problem, the repeat visit is part of your record.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2023 BMW X5 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 X5 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.
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 X5 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other BMW X5 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 22V942
Is the 22V942000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed February 17, 2023.
How do I know if my X5 is part of recall 22V942000?
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.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
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 22V942000 (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.