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BMW Windshield Leaks and Unintended Window or Sunroof Closing
Unintended window or sunroof closing is the recurring issue in these BMW notices, while a separate windshield bonding defect presents a fire risk. The April 2022 recall covers sunroof control programming in certain 2019–2022 X5, 2020–2022 X6, 2019–2023 X7 and 2022 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. The February 2023 recall concerns digital-key removal and window or sunroof operation in certain 2023 8 Series and 2 Series vehicles and 2022–2023 Z4 vehicles. X5 and X7 appear again in the November 2022 windshield recall, which affects certain 2023 versions. That defect can let water reach electrical components and cause a short circuit.
Warning signs to watch for
- April 20, 2022 sunroof recall — the sunroof can close without the key fob inside the vehicle.
- February 17, 2023 digital-key recall — windows and the sunroof may still close after the digital key is removed.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of these BMW notices carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction. The November 2022 notice for windshield bonding and possible electrical short circuits in certain 2023 X5 and X7 vehicles does not tell owners to stop driving. The April 2022 notice for sunroof control programming in certain X5, X6, X7 and 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles does not tell owners to stop driving. The February 2023 notice for digital-key-related window and sunroof closing also does not tell owners to stop driving.
What the free repair involves
For the November 2022 recall, dealers inspect the windshield seal and, as necessary, remove and reinstall the windshield with a new seal. The April 2022 remedy reprograms the roof function control unit. The February 2023 remedy updates ECU software, with cellular-service and Wi-Fi digital-key functions deactivated until that update. These remedies are free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 1 |
| medium | 2 |
Models affected most
Where owners report visibility problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under visibility for the BMW models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2023 BMW X7 | 2 |
| 2023 BMW X5 | 2 |
| 2022 BMW Z4 | 1 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 17, 2023 | BMW windows and sunroof may close without key present | medium |
| Nov 2, 2022 | BMW X5 and X7 windshield leak can cause fire | critical |
| Apr 20, 2022 | BMW X5, X6 and X7 sunroof may close unexpectedly | medium |
Common questions
Which BMW SUVs appear in both the windshield and sunroof recalls?
X5 and X7 appear in both notices. The windshield recall covers certain 2023 versions. The April 2022 sunroof recall lists certain 2019–2022 X5 and 2019–2023 X7 vehicles, alongside other BMW models.
Why does the digital-key recall affect window and sunroof operation?
The February 2023 notice says ECU software may still allow the power windows and sunroof to close after the digital key is removed. Dealers update the ECU software, and the specified digital-key functions are deactivated until the update.
What repair does BMW provide for the windshield fire risk?
For the November 2022 recall affecting certain 2023 X5 and X7 vehicles, dealers inspect the windshield seal. As necessary, they remove and reinstall the windshield with a new seal. The notice states that this work is free of charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.