BMW X5 Rear Head Restraints May Not Lock
medium How serious is it? About this label
A head restraint that isn't properly locked in place may not restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V253000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Apr 6, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Part affected | Seats:mid/rear Assembly:head Restraint |
| Vehicles covered | 1 model/year combination, model years 2023 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
Some BMW X5 vehicles have second-row outboard seat head restraints that may have been manufactured without a locking tab in the guide sleeves. Because that tab is missing, the head restraint may not stay properly locked into position. A head restraint that isn't locked in place may not properly restrain a passenger's head during a crash.
What you should do
2. Contact a BMW dealer, or call customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
3. The inspection and any needed replacement are 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 23V253000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (1)
Who to contact
BMW — official BMW recall lookup
Customer service: 1-800-525-7417
The bigger picture
- BMW Seat Recalls Involve Loose Bolts, Welds, and Head Restraints · all 9 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
- SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. The head restraints for the second-row outboard seats may have been improperly manufactured without locking tabs in the guide sleeves. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
- Safety risk
- A head restraint without a locking tab may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the second-row outboard seat head restraint guide sleeves, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2023. 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.