BMW X3 and X4 Rear Brake Caliper Coating
high How serious is it? About this label
A reduction in rear brake performance can increase the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 18V453000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Jul 6, 2018 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Part affected | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper |
| Vehicles covered | 3 model/year combinations, model years 2018–2019 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
The pistons inside the rear brake calipers on these vehicles may not have enough protective coating applied to them. Without sufficient coating, the rear brake calipers may not work as well as intended, which can reduce how well the rear brakes perform when the vehicle is stopping.
What you should do
2. Contact a BMW dealer for the free rear brake circuit bleed; call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
3. The repair is free of charge.
Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?
Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 18V453000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (3)
Who to contact
BMW — official BMW recall lookup
Customer service: 1-800-525-7417
The bigger picture
- BMW Hydraulic Brake Recalls Involving Leaks, Calipers, and Brake Assistance · all 11 BMW recalls in this area
Other BMW X3 recalls
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- Dec 11, 2025BMW X3 Steering Wheel May Move Unexpectedlyhigh
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- Apr 16, 2025BMW X3 Front Brake Discs Damaged in Transporthigh
- Apr 1, 2025BMW 430i, X3 Starter Connection May Loosencritical
Official notice
- Component
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i and certain 2019 X4 xDrive30i and X4 M40i vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
- Safety risk
- A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the rear brake circuit, free of charge. The recall began August 31, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.