Recall 21V298 affects 12 2021 BMW M340I, 330I, 330E, and M3 vehicles for a seat belt buckle defect. Free repair at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 12 2021 M340I, 330I, 330E, and M3 vehicles because the bolt securing the seat belt assembly to the frame was not tightened to specification. An improperly installed seat belt assembly can leave an occupant without the expected restraint, increasing injury risk, and BMW dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front seat safety belt buckle assembly on the 2021 BMW M340I, 330I, 330E, and M3 is the latch mounted beside the front seat. It receives the metal tongue of the seat belt and keeps the belt anchored to the vehicle frame. In normal use, that mounting point has to stay fixed so the belt can hold the occupant in position during a crash.
On affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the buckle assembly to the frame was not tightened to BMW's specified value during assembly. That leaves the buckle assembly less firmly clamped than designed. Under crash forces, a loose mounting point can move instead of holding the belt geometry where BMW intended it.
There is no warning sign before failure. A buckle that shifts, feels loose, or moves more than expected when you fasten the belt needs dealer inspection before that seating position is used again.
Who's affected?
Includes M340I, 330I, 330E, and M3 sedans tied to the same front seat belt buckle assembly.
| 2021 BMW M340I | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2021 BMW 330I | seat belt |
| 2021 BMW 330E | seat belt |
| 2021 BMW M3 | seat belt |
| Units affected | 12 |
| 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 sedan is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrectly installed front seat belt buckle assembly can keep the belt from restraining an occupant as expected, increasing injury risk in a crash. There is no listed warning sign, so the VIN and dealer inspection matter more than visible symptoms. Schedule the seat belt inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 BMW M340I, 330I, 330E, or M3 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free front seat belt buckle assembly inspection.
- Ask the dealer to replace the buckle assembly if the inspection finds the front seat belt connection was not tightened to specification.
- Bring the owner letter BMW mailed, or reference recall number 21V298 when you call.
- Keep using the seat belt, and avoid delaying the appointment because the affected front belt connection needs inspection.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician inspects the front seat belt buckle assembly connection and replaces the buckle assembly if the inspection shows it is needed. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because BMW says warranty coverage applies to this condition. Ask the service desk how that warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| April 28, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 28, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| April 28, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 21, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 21, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 25, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V298?
Recall 21V298 covers 12 2021 BMW M340I, 330I, 330E, and M3 vehicles with a front seat belt buckle assembly bolt that was not tightened to specification. BMW dealers will inspect the connection and replace the affected buckle assembly if needed for free.
What should I do if my 2021 BMW M340I, 330I, 330E, or M3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V298. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the front seat belt buckle assembly inspection. Reference recall number 21V298 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and BMW will inspect the front seat belt buckle assembly connection and replace it if needed free of charge at any franchised BMW dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V298?
The safety risk is that the front seat belt assembly can fail to restrain an occupant as expected. That increases injury risk in a crash. BMW did not issue a do-not-drive instruction, but affected owners should schedule the free dealer inspection and repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V298000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V298 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V298000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation 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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →