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BMW X5 Body Control Unit May Overheat

NHTSA campaign 18V732000 · Reported Oct 17, 2018 · BMW of North America, LLC

critical How serious is it? About this label

This defect increases the risk of a fire starting in the vehicle. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	18V732000
Reported to NHTSA	Oct 17, 2018
Manufacturer	BMW of North America, LLC
Part affected	Electrical System
Vehicles covered	1 model/year combination, model years 2019
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Some X5 SUVs have an electrical control unit that manages a range of body functions. Inside this unit, small electrical parts called capacitors can short circuit and overheat. When that happens, other components located near the unit may also start to overheat. This buildup of heat can increase the chance that a fire begins somewhere in the vehicle. BMW says the affected vehicles remain on dealer lots and have not yet been sold to owners.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is affected. 2. Contact a BMW dealer, or call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. 3. Replacement of the control unit is free.

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 18V732000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (1)

2019 BMW X5

Who to contact

BMW — official BMW recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-525-7417

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

BMW Electrical Recalls Involve Battery Fires and Starter Connection Problems · all 28 BMW recalls in this area

Other BMW X5 recalls

Jul 1, 2026BMW, Mini Integrated Brake System May Malfunctionhigh
Sep 25, 2025BMW X5, X6, X7 Starter May Overheatcritical
Oct 2, 2024BMW Brake System May Lose Power Assisthigh
Sep 18, 2024BMW and MINI Brake System Weld May Failhigh
Aug 13, 2024BMW X4, X5 Water Pump Connector May Shorthigh
Aug 1, 2024BMW Starter Motor Overheating May Cause Engine Firecritical

All 42 X5 recalls

Official notice

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i vehicles. The capacitors within the Body Domain Controller (BDC) may short circuit and overheat.
Safety risk: If the BDC short circuits, other nearby components may also overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: All affected vehicles remain on dealer lots, therefore owner letters will not be mailed. BMW dealers will replace the BDC control unit, free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 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.