BMW X3, X4 and M5 rearview camera image partly blocked
medium How serious is it? About this label
If the driver relies only on the rearview camera picture, the reduced view can increase the risk of a crash or injury. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 20V598000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Sep 30, 2020 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Part affected | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
| Vehicles covered | 8 model/year combinations, model years 2020–2021 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
BMW is recalling certain X3, X4, 5 Series and M5 vehicles, including the X3 sDrive 30i and xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5 and 550e models. A small part of the picture shown by the rearview camera may be slightly blocked. Because of this, these vehicles do not meet the federal safety standard covering rear visibility.
What you should do
2. Contact a BMW dealer to have the rearview camera inspected and, if needed, programmed with updated software, or call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
3. The repair 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 20V598000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (8)
Who to contact
BMW — official BMW recall lookup
Customer service: 1-800-525-7417
The bigger picture
- BMW Backup Camera Recalls Address Missing and Obscured Rearview Images · all 5 BMW recalls in this area
Other BMW X3 recalls
- Aug 12, 2026BMW X3 Steering Spindle May Be Loosehigh
- Jan 30, 2026BMW, Toyota Supra: Engine Starter May Catch Firecritical
- Dec 11, 2025BMW X3 Steering Wheel May Move Unexpectedlyhigh
- Sep 23, 2025BMW and Toyota Supra Starter Relay Fire Riskcritical
- Apr 16, 2025BMW X3 Front Brake Discs Damaged in Transporthigh
- Apr 1, 2025BMW 430i, X3 Starter Connection May Loosencritical
Official notice
- Component
- BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Safety risk
- If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 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.