BMW backup camera may show partial or blank image
medium How serious is it? About this label
If the driver depends only on the camera image when backing up, the missing or 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 | 21V096000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Feb 19, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Part affected | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
| Vehicles covered | 24 model/year combinations, model years 2019–2021 |
| 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 2019-2021 cars and SUVs across many models because of a problem with the backup camera. When the driver shifts into reverse, a small part of the picture behind the vehicle may be hidden, or the screen may not light up at all. Because of this, the vehicles do not meet the federal safety rule for rear visibility. Dealers will check the backup camera software and update it if needed.
What you should do
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 21V096000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (24)
Show all 24 vehicles
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
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Official notice
- Component
- BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Safety risk
- If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. 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.