Recall 20V379 covers 16 2020-2021 BMW 740LI, 750LI, M760I, and B7 Alpina vehicles for an inaccessible child-seat tether. Repair is free.
BMW is recalling 16 2020-2021 750LI, M760I, B7 Alpina, and 740LI vehicles because the top child seat tether anchor for the rear middle seat is not readily accessible. A child restraint installed there without the three-point safety belt increases injury risk in a crash, and BMW dealers will fix the issue free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The top child seat tether anchor is the fixed attachment point used with a forward-facing child restraint. On affected 2020-2021 BMW 750LI, M760I, B7 Alpina, and 740LI vehicles, the anchor for the rear middle seat is present, but it is not readily accessible. That matters because the tether helps secure the upper part of the child seat.
This is not a broken part. BMW traced the problem to a vehicle assembly check: the camera system used to confirm top tether anchor installation did not send mis-build alerts for the affected configuration. As a result, the rear middle seating position was built with a top tether anchor that an owner cannot reach and use as intended.
There is no mechanical warning sign before use. Owners should use an outboard rear seating position with an accessible top tether anchor, or use the middle rear seating position with its three-point safety belt.
Who's affected?
Spans 4 BMW sedan variants across the 2020-2021 model years, all tied to the child-seat tether connector/clip.
| 2020 BMW 750LI | Connector/clip |
|---|---|
| 2021 BMW M760I | Connector/clip |
| 2020 BMW B7 Alpina | Connector/clip |
| 2021 BMW B7 Alpina | Connector/clip |
| 2020 BMW M760I | Connector/clip |
| 2021 BMW 750LI | Connector/clip |
| 2020 BMW 740LI | Connector/clip |
| 2021 BMW 740LI | Connector/clip |
| Units affected | 16 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific sedan.
What's the safety risk?
A child restraint in the rear middle seat without the vehicle's three-point safety belt can increase injury risk in a crash. Until the anchor cover is installed, use an outboard rear seat with an accessible top tether anchor, or use the rear middle seat only with its three-point safety belt. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 BMW 750LI, M760I, B7 Alpina, or 740LI is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free rear-middle-seat top tether anchor cover installation that makes the child-seat tether anchor accessible.
- Reference recall number 20V379 when you call, and bring the owner letter if you have it.
- Use an outboard rear seating position with an accessible top tether anchor until the repair is complete.
- Use the rear middle seat only with the vehicle's three-point safety belt until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician installs a top tether anchor cover at the rear middle seating position so the child seat tether anchor is accessible. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Until the cover is installed, use the outboard rear seating positions with accessible top tether anchors, or use the middle rear seating position with the vehicle's three point safety belt as BMW instructed.
Timeline
| June 30, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 30, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| June 30, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 20, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 24, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 24, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V379?
Recall 20V379 covers 16 2020-2021 BMW 750LI, M760I, B7 Alpina, and 740LI vehicles with a rear middle seat top tether anchor that is not readily accessible. BMW dealers will install a top tether anchor cover for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 BMW 750LI, M760I, B7 Alpina, or 740LI is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific BMW is included in recall 20V379. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the top tether anchor cover installation. Until the repair is complete, follow BMW's child-seat guidance for the rear seating positions.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires BMW to repair this safety defect at no cost. A franchised BMW dealer will install the top tether anchor cover at the rear middle seating position free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V379?
The risk involves child restraint use in the rear middle seat. If a child restraint is placed there without using the vehicle's three-point safety belt, the inaccessible top tether anchor increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Can I still use a child seat before the BMW repair is complete?
Yes, but use the seating positions BMW identified until the repair is complete. BMW instructed owners to use the outboard rear seating positions with accessible top tether anchors, or use the rear middle seating position with the vehicle's three-point safety belt.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V379000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V379 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V379000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →