2025-2026 BMW X1 Seat Belt Retractor Recall (25V616)

Recall 25V616 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2025-2026 BMW X1 in recall 25V616?

The torsion bar in both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production.

BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2025-2026 X1 and X2, MINI Cooper Convertible, MINI Cooper, Mini Countryman S ALL4, and 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. The torsion bar in both front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production.

Is it safe to drive a 2025-2026 X1 with recall 25V616?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A damaged seat belt retractor may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: A damaged seat belt retractor 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 X1 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the retractor, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 25V616?

Recall 25V616 covers 1,571 vehicles: 2025-2026 BMW X1; 2025-2026 BMW X2; 2025-2026 MINI Cooper; 2025-2026 MINI Cooper Convertible; 2025-2026 MINI Countryman S ALL4; 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4.

NHTSA lists 1,571 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the X1 seat belt retractor recall?

Yes. Dealers will replace both front seat belt retractors, free of charge.

Dealers will replace both front seat belt retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 7, 2025.

When was recall 25V616 announced?

BMW of North America, LLC reported recall 25V616 to NHTSA on September 17, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as November 13, 2025.

This recall was filed 12 months ago. If your X1 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my X1 is part of recall 25V616?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V616 is open on your X1, it will be listed there.

Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 25V616000 is open on your X1, 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 X1 owners do about recall 25V616?

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 25V616000 applies to your X1.
2. Call a BMW dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Keep a simple log of any retractor symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
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 X1 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the seat belts.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the seat belts have been filed since recall 25V616 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 31 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the seat belts. 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.

• 2025 BMW X1: 17 complaints in total, 0 about the seat belts
• 2026 BMW X2: 5 complaints in total, 0 about the seat belts
• 2026 MINI Cooper: 2 complaints in total, 0 about the seat belts
• 2025 BMW X2: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the seat belts
• 2025 MINI Cooper: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the seat belts
• 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the seat belts
• 2026 MINI Countryman S ALL4: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the seat belts
• 2026 BMW X1: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the seat belts

Can recall 25V616 make my X1 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.

Recall 25V616000 does not automatically make your X1 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?

A seat belt that does not latch or retract correctly on the 2025-2026 BMW X1 affects safety directly, and a failed recall repair is a repair attempt under California law.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2025-2026 BMW X1 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 X1 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 25V616