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Campaign 20V164 Posted March 19, 2020 3,316 units

2020 BMW X3/X4/330I/840I Recall 20V164: Belt Buckle

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 23, 2026

Recall 20V164 affects 3,316 2020 BMW vehicles because front seat belt buckles can misread occupants. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.

BMW is recalling 3,316 2020 X3, X4, 330I, M340I, 840I, M850I, and M8 Gran Coupe vehicles under recall 20V164 because front seat belt buckle sensors can read a belted occupant as unbelted. In a crash, that sensor error can make the air bag or seat belt pretensioner deploy improperly and increase injury risk for the driver and front passenger; BMW dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The front seat safety belt buckle on affected 2020 BMW vehicles does more than latch the belt. It also contains a Hall effect sensor, an electronic position sensor that tells the restraint system whether the driver or front passenger is buckled. That signal helps the air bag and seat belt pretensioner choose the proper response in a crash.

On these vehicles, the sensor wiring in the buckle was not produced to the specified length because a supplier machine setting changed during maintenance. The vehicle does not show the condition at delivery, but repeated bending of the buckle over time can let the sensor begin to separate from the buckle. When that happens, the system can read a buckled occupant as unbuckled and use the wrong restraint strategy.

The warning sign is a safety belt reminder that does not match what is happening in the seat. A buckled driver or front passenger can still get an audible warning signal and a visual warning symbol.

Who's affected?

Across the seven BMW models, the same two systems are involved: the seat belt and air bag system.

2020 BMW M850I seat belt
2020 BMW M850I seat belt
2020 BMW M850I seat belt
2020 BMW M850I air bag system
2020 BMW M340I seat belt
Units affected3,316
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged no field incidents to date.

The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.

What's the safety risk?

If a front buckle is not read correctly, the air bag or seat belt pretensioner can deploy improperly in a crash, increasing injury risk for the driver and front passenger. A belt warning chime or symbol while a front occupant is belted is a warning sign. Schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 BMW M850I, M340I, X3, X4, 330I, 840I, or M8 Gran Coupe is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free front seat belt buckle inspection and replacement that fixes the inaccurate buckle sensors.
  3. Bring the recall notice if BMW has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V164 when you call.
  4. Keep using seat belts normally until the repair, and avoid carrying a front passenger in a seat whose buckle warning stays wrong after buckling.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a BMW technician inspects the front seat belt buckles and replaces any buckle that fails the inspection. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. BMW says prior repairs for this condition are handled through the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because warranty coverage applies. Ask the service desk how the warranty applies to any paperwork for an earlier buckle repair.

ReimbursementWarranty coverage applies

Timeline

March 19, 2020 NHTSA published the recall
March 19, 2020 Dealer notification began
March 19, 2020 Dealer notification ended
May 11, 2020 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
May 11, 2020 VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
May 18, 2020 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 20V164?

Recall 20V164 covers 3,316 2020 BMW M850I, M340I, X3, X4, 330I, 840I, and M8 Gran Coupe vehicles with front seat belt buckle sensors that can read a belted occupant as unbelted. BMW dealers will inspect and replace the affected buckles for free.

What should I do if my 2020 BMW M850I, M340I, X3, X4, 330I, 840I, or M8 Gran Coupe is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific BMW is included in recall 20V164. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the front seat belt buckle inspection and replacement. Reference recall number 20V164 when you call. The dealer repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and BMW will inspect and replace the front seat belt buckles for free at any franchised BMW dealer.

What is the safety risk in recall 20V164?

The risk is improper air bag or seat belt pretensioner deployment in a crash. In recall 20V164, the front buckle sensors can detect a belted driver or front passenger as unbelted, increasing injury risk if a crash occurs before the repair is complete.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V164000
BMW customer service1-800-525-7417
NHTSA recall #20V164
NHTSA recall # (full)20V164000

Source documents

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 →