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BMW Suspension Recalls Involving Bearings, Control Arms, and Motorcycle Struts
⚠ 1 of these recalls carries a do-not-drive advisory.
BMW's suspension recalls repeatedly involve components that may break or lose their attachment strength. Certain 2018 X5 and X6 vehicles appear in separate notices for insufficiently tightened front suspension bolts and a front lower-left control arm pivot bolt that may not have been properly hardened. Certain 2019 X6 vehicles have a rear upper control arm pivot-bolt issue. X3 bearing concerns cover certain 2020 X3 and X4 vehicles and, separately, certain 2025 X3 vehicles. A front axle support weld affects specified 2020 SUVs and 2021 X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Motorcycle notices address rear link struts on certain 2019-2020 K1600 models and front spring struts on specified 2024 motorcycles.
Warning signs to watch for
- BMW K 1600 Rear Suspension Strut Defect, January 2022: a damaged link strut can allow the rear of the motorcycle to contact the rear wheel, affecting riding stability and control.
- BMW Motorcycle Front Strut Failure Risk, February 2024: front spring strut failure may result in a loss of stability while riding.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
One supplied suspension recall carries a stop-driving instruction: BMW X3 And X4 Front Bearing Failure, dated September 25, 2019, covering certain 2020 X3 and X4 vehicles. BMW instructed owners not to drive until the repair is done. Zero supplied suspension notices carry park-outside instructions. The other seven notices—covering front suspension bolts, front lower control arms, rear upper control arms, the front axle support weld, rear motorcycle link struts, front motorcycle spring struts, and the 2025 X3 bearing—do not tell owners to stop driving.
What the free repair involves
Repairs are free of charge. The September 2019 X3/X4 recall replaces front axle swivel bearings; the December 2024 X3 recall replaces the front left-side swivel bearing. The November 2017 recall inspects and tightens wishbone suspension bolts. The January 2022 motorcycle recall replaces the rear link strut. The February 2024 motorcycle recall inspects strut production dates and replaces front spring struts as necessary.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 1 |
| high | 7 |
Models affected most
Where owners report suspension problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under suspension for the BMW models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 BMW X5 | 6 |
| 2020 BMW X7 | 4 |
| 2020 BMW X4 | 3 |
| 2025 BMW X3 | 3 |
| 2019 BMW K 1600 GT | 2 |
| 2018 BMW X6 | 1 |
| 2019 BMW K 1600 B | 1 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 5, 2024 | BMW X3 Front Left Wheel Bearing May Crack | high |
| Feb 29, 2024 | BMW Motorcycle Front Strut Failure Risk | high |
| Jan 21, 2022 | BMW K 1600 Rear Suspension Strut Defect | high |
| Nov 4, 2020 | BMW X5, X6, X7 Front Suspension Weld May Fail | high |
| Sep 25, 2019 | BMW X3 And X4 Front Bearing Failure · do not drive | critical |
| Sep 28, 2018 | BMW X6 Rear Suspension Control Arm May Break | high |
| Jun 28, 2018 | BMW X5, X6 Front Lower Control Arm Failure | high |
| Nov 17, 2017 | BMW X5 and X6 Front Suspension Bolts May Loosen | high |
Common questions
Which BMW suspension recall says not to drive?
The September 25, 2019 front bearing recall instructs owners of affected 2020 X3 and X4 vehicles not to drive until repaired. Dealers replace the front axle swivel bearings free of charge. The other supplied suspension notices do not tell owners to stop driving.
Are the X3 bearing remedies the same?
The September 2019 recall covers certain 2020 X3 and X4 vehicles and replaces front axle swivel bearings. The December 2024 recall covers certain 2025 X3 30 vehicles and replaces the front left-side swivel bearing. Both remedies are free of charge.
Which suspension struts are recalled on BMW motorcycles?
The January 2022 notice replaces rear link struts on certain 2019-2020 K1600 GT, GTL, and B motorcycles. The February 2024 notice covers front spring struts on specified 2024 R 1250RT and K 1600 models, with replacement based on production-date inspection.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.