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BMW suspension recalls: broken control arms, bearings and struts
⚠ 1 of these recalls carries a do-not-drive advisory.
Eight BMW suspension recalls, and one stands apart: BMW told owners of 2020 X3 and X4 models not to drive them, because front axle swivel bearings that were not properly heat-treated can break. That same swivel bearing returns on the 2025 X3, where the front left one can crack. The other recurring theme is X5 and X6 suspension hardware: improperly hardened control arm pivot bolts on the 2018 X5 and X6 and the 2019 X6, wishbone bolts left untightened on 2018 X5 and X6, and a front axle support weld that can separate on 2020 X5, X6, X7 and 2021 X5 xDrive45e. Two motorcycle recalls cover K 1600 and R 1250 RT front struts and K1600 rear link struts.
Warning signs to watch for
- Clunking, knocking or rattling from the suspension over bumps
- Vague handling, wandering, or a change in how the car tracks and steers
- Loss of stability on an affected K 1600 or R 1250 RT motorcycle
- BMW says the front strut can fail without warning, and several of these bolts, bearings and welds break suddenly with no advance sign
Is it safe to keep driving?
One recall is different: for 2020 X3 sDrive30i, xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X4 xDrive30i and X4 M40i models, BMW notified owners and instructed them not to drive the vehicles until the front axle swivel bearings are replaced. Call BMW and ask how to get it to the dealer. No notice in this group tells owners to park outside. The other seven do not order owners off the road, but they involve control arms, bolts, welds and wheel bearings that can fail abruptly, so book promptly. Riders should repair the strut recalls before further riding.
What the free repair involves
The work is mostly hardware replacement: front axle swivel bearings, the front lower-left or rear upper control arms after inspection, the complete front axle support where the weld is suspect, and inspecting and tightening the wishbone suspension bolts. On the motorcycles, dealers check strut production dates and replace the front spring struts, or fit a new rear link strut. Every repair is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 3 |
| high | 5 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-12-05 | BMW X3 front left wheel bearing may crack | high |
| 2024-02-29 | BMW motorcycle front suspension strut may fail while riding | critical |
| 2022-01-21 | BMW K1600 motorcycles: weak rear suspension link strut | high |
| 2020-11-04 | BMW X5, X6 and X7 front suspension weld may break | high |
| 2019-09-25 | BMW X3 and X4 front suspension parts may break · do not drive | critical |
| 2018-09-28 | BMW X6 rear control arms may break apart | high |
| 2018-06-28 | BMW X5 and X6 front suspension arm may break | critical |
| 2017-11-17 | BMW X5 and X6 front suspension bolts may be loose | high |
Common questions
BMW says not to drive my 2020 X3 — what do I do?
Contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 and arrange the repair rather than driving the vehicle in. Dealers replace the front axle swivel bearings free of charge. The bearings were not properly heat treated and can break, causing a loss of control.
I never got a letter about my 2019 X6 control arms. Why?
All vehicles in that recall were still on dealer lots when it was issued, so BMW did not mail owner letters. Dealers replace both rear upper control arms free. If you bought one used, have your VIN checked before assuming it was done.
How many 2025 X3s have the cracking wheel bearing?
BMW's notice states that one owner was contacted on December 12, 2024 about the 2025 X3 30 front left swivel bearing. If your VIN is included, the dealer replaces that bearing free of charge; call 1-800-525-7417 to confirm.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.