2023 BMW X5 Head Restraint Recall (23V253)

Recall 23V253 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2023 BMW X5 in recall 23V253?

The head restraints for the second-row outboard seats may have been improperly manufactured without locking tabs in the guide sleeves.

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The head restraints for the second-row outboard seats may have been improperly manufactured without locking tabs in the guide sleeves. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."

Is it safe to drive a 2023 X5 with recall 23V253?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A head restraint without a locking tab may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: A head restraint without a locking tab may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your X5 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the head restraint, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 23V253?

Recall 23V253 covers 235 vehicles: 2023 BMW X5.

NHTSA lists 235 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the X5 head restraint recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect and replace the second-row outboard seat head restraint guide sleeves, as necessary, free of charge.

Dealers will inspect and replace the second-row outboard seat head restraint guide sleeves, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

When was recall 23V253 announced?

BMW of North America, LLC reported recall 23V253 to NHTSA on April 6, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as May 31, 2023.

This recall was filed 42 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 23V253?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V253 is open on your X5, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2023 X5 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should X5 owners do about recall 23V253?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V253000 applies to your X5.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized BMW dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. 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.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the head restraint happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. 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 23V253 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 23V253 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 head restraint 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.

This campaign follows an earlier recall for the same issue. A second recall can mean the first remedy failed, and repeated repair attempts on the same defect are the core of most lemon law claims.

Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 21V156000.

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.

Frequently asked questions about recall 23V253