Recall 15V520 affects 7,727 2012-2015 BMW vehicles, including 320I and 328XI, for inoperative front side marker lights. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 7,727 2012-2015 320I, 328I, and 335I vehicles because a software update can leave the front side marker lights off when the parking lights or headlights are on. That loss of nighttime visibility increases crash risk, and BMW dealers will correct the lighting software free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front side marker lights on these 2012-2015 BMW vehicles are small exterior lamps at the front corners. They work with the parking lights or headlights so the car's front corners are visible when the lighting system is on. NHTSA campaign 15V520 concerns that lighting function, not the engine, brakes, or steering.
The problem came from updated vehicle software. After certain BMW vehicles were programmed with that software, the front amber side marker lights no longer illuminated together with the headlamps. BMW traced the issue to a software version that did not comply with FMVSS number 108, the federal lighting standard for lamps, reflective devices, and related equipment.
An owner is not given a separate mechanical symptom before this happens. The lights simply do not operate as intended after the affected software programming. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Spans 9 listed BMW model variants across the 2012-2015 model years, all tied to exterior lighting.
| 2014 BMW 328XI | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2015 BMW 328XI | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 BMW 328XD | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 BMW 328I | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 BMW 328I | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 BMW 328D | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 BMW 320XI | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 BMW 320XI | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 BMW 320XI | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 BMW 320I | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 BMW 320I | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 BMW 320I | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 BMW 335I | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 BMW 335I | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 BMW 335XI | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 BMW Activehybrid 3 | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 BMW 335I | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 BMW 320I | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 BMW 320XI | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 BMW 328D | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 BMW 328I | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 BMW 328I | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 BMW 328XD | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 BMW 328XI | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 BMW 328XI | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 BMW 335I | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 BMW 335XI | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 BMW 335XI | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 BMW Activehybrid 3 | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 BMW Activehybrid 3 | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 BMW Activehybrid 3 | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 BMW 335XI | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 7,727 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year, model, and lighting component narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
Dark side marker lights make the vehicle less visible at night and increase the risk of a crash. Use extra caution after dark until the software repair is complete, and schedule the dealer update soon. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2015 BMW 328XI, 328XD, 328I, 328D, 320XI, 320I, 335I, 335XI, or Activehybrid 3 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free software update that restores the front side marker lights with the parking lights or headlights.
- Reference recall number 15V520 when you call, and bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one.
- Drive with extra caution at night until the update is complete, because the front side marker lights do not illuminate correctly on affected vehicles.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician uploads revised software to correct the front side marker light issue. The update is free under the recall, and parts and labor are covered if the repair requires any related service work. BMW has a general reimbursement plan on file for documented qualifying repairs paid before the recall notice. If you already paid for a related software or lighting repair, contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 with your repair documents.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 13, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| August 17, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
| October 7, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 9, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 9, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V520?
Recall 15V520 covers 7,727 2012-2015 BMW 320I, 320XI, 328I, 328XI, 328D, 328XD, 335I, 335XI, and Activehybrid 3 vehicles with software that stops the front side marker lights from working with the parking lights or headlights. BMW dealers will install revised software for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2015 BMW 320I, 320XI, 328I, 328XI, 328D, 328XD, 335I, 335XI, or Activehybrid 3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V520. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the revised software upload. Reference recall number 15V520 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires BMW to correct the defect at no cost to the owner. A franchised BMW dealer will upload revised software to restore proper front side marker light operation with the parking lights or headlights.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk in recall 15V520 is reduced nighttime visibility. If the front side marker lights do not illuminate with the parking lights or headlights, other drivers have less visual information about the vehicle, increasing crash risk. BMW's free software update corrects the lighting issue.
What if I bought this BMW used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the original buyer. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific BMW is included in recall 15V520, then call a franchised BMW dealer and ask for the software repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V520000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V520 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V520000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →