Recall 19V678 affects 368 2020 BMW X3 and X4 vehicles for weak front-axle swivel bearings. Do not drive. Free repair at any franchised BMW dealer.
Broken front axle swivel bearings can cause loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash. Do not drive the vehicle, including short trips. If it has to move, ask BMW about towing before arranging service. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 368 2020 X3 and X4 vehicles under recall 19V678 because manufacturing heat-treatment errors reduced the strength of the front axle swivel bearings. Broken bearings can cause loss of vehicle control and raise crash risk. Do not drive the vehicle until a BMW dealer completes the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The front axle swivel bearing on the 2020 BMW X3 and X4 is part of the front suspension and steering assembly. It supports the front wheel hub and helps keep the wheel in the correct position while the steering system turns the wheel and the suspension moves over the road.
On affected vehicles, the supplier did not heat treat the swivel bearing to BMW's specification. Heat treatment is the manufacturing step that gives the metal its required hardness and strength. With insufficient heat treatment, the bearing is weaker than designed and is more vulnerable to breaking under normal suspension and steering loads.
BMW did not list an advance warning sign for owners in campaign 19V678. There is no warning sign before failure. If the bearing breaks, the front wheel assembly no longer stays controlled the way it should, which affects steering and front suspension behavior.
Who's affected?
Each model is listed under front suspension and steering, so owners will see the same component pair for X3 and X4.
| 2020 BMW X3 | front suspension |
|---|---|
| 2020 BMW X3 | steering system |
| 2020 BMW X4 | front suspension |
| 2020 BMW X4 | steering system |
| Units affected | 368 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Broken front axle swivel bearings can cause loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash. Do not drive the vehicle, including short trips. If it has to move, ask BMW about towing before arranging service. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 BMW X3 or X4 is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the front axle swivel-bearing replacement is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle must be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free front axle swivel-bearing replacement that fixes the weak bearings linked to loss of vehicle control.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V678 when you call.
What happens at the repair
BMW has already told affected owners not to drive these vehicles until the recall repair is complete. At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces the front axle swivel bearings covered by campaign 19V678. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. BMW also arranged transport to the dealer for affected vehicles, so do not drive the vehicle in for service. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| September 19, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| September 25, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
| September 25, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| September 25, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 15, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 15, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V678?
Recall 19V678 covers 368 2020 BMW X3 and X4 vehicles with front axle swivel bearings that were not properly heat treated. If a bearing breaks, the driver can lose vehicle control. Do not drive the vehicle until BMW replaces the front axle swivel bearings for free.
What should I do if my 2020 BMW X3 or X4 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V678. If it is, do not drive it. Contact a franchised BMW dealer or BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417, reference recall 19V678, and ask how to arrange the free swivel-bearing replacement.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. BMW dealers will replace the front axle swivel bearings free of charge on included 2020 X3 and X4 vehicles.
What does do not drive mean for recall 19V678?
Do not drive means the vehicle should stay parked until the recall repair is complete. BMW instructed owners not to drive these vehicles because broken front axle swivel bearings can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk. Ask the dealer about towing if the vehicle has to move.
What if I bought my BMW X3 or X4 used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to see whether your 2020 BMW X3 or X4 is included, then contact a franchised BMW dealer and reference recall 19V678 when you schedule the repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V678000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V678 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V678000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →