BMW X5, X7 Starter Bolt May Cause Stall
high How serious is it? About this label
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 20V465000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Aug 7, 2020 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Part affected | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| Vehicles covered | 2 model/year combinations, model years 2020 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
Some of these SUVs left the factory with an extra bolt in the starter motor that should not be there. That extra bolt could come loose over time and fall into the transmission housing. If the bolt ends up in the transmission housing, it can cause the engine to stall while you are driving. An engine that suddenly stalls while underway increases the chance of a crash.
What you should do
2. Contact a BMW dealer, or call 1-800-525-7417.
3. The repair (inspecting the starter and replacing damaged parts as needed) 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 20V465000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (2)
Who to contact
BMW — official BMW recall lookup
Customer service: 1-800-525-7417
The bigger picture
- BMW Power Train Recalls Involve Transmission and Motorcycle Drive Failures · all 13 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
Official notice
- Component
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive 40i, X5 xDrive 40i and one X7 xDrive 40i vehicle. The starter motor may have an extra bolt that could potentially fall into the transmission housing and cause an engine stall.
- Safety risk
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the starter motor for the extra bolt, removing it if necessary. Dealers will also inspect the starter for damage, and check if the bolt has fallen into the transmission housing, replacing any damaged parts as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 2, 2020. 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.