Recall 23V050 affects 397 2023 BMW 760I and I7 vehicles for seat ECU software that disables passenger protection. Free repair at a franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 397 2023 760I and I7 vehicles with the Executive Lounge Seating Package because seat monitoring software can disable the front passenger air bag, knee air bag, and active headrest. If those protections are disabled, they will not deploy as intended in a crash, increasing injury risk; BMW dealers will update the software free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front passenger seat electronic control unit in the 2023 BMW 760I and I7 is seat software that tells the restraint system where the passenger seat is positioned. That position matters because the air bag and restraint system uses it to decide how the front passenger air bag, knee air bag, and active headrest should be managed.
In affected vehicles equipped with the Executive Lounge Seating Package, a coding issue in that seat-position software can cause the seat control unit to lose track of the seat position under certain monitoring conditions. It then sends an invalid seat-position signal to the air bag and restraint system. The restraint system enters a failsafe mode and disables the front passenger air bag, knee air bag, and active headrest.
The warning sign is visible to the driver. A warning symbol and warning message will appear in the instrument cluster when this condition is present.
Who's affected?
Covers the 760I and I7 through the same front passenger seat ECU software, with seat and air bag systems listed separately.
| 2023 BMW 760I | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2023 BMW 760I | air bag system |
| 2023 BMW I7 | seat assembly |
| 2023 BMW I7 | air bag system |
| Units affected | 397 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2023 BMW 760I or I7 does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
A disabled front passenger air bag, knee air bag, or active headrest will not deploy as intended in a crash, increasing injury risk for the front passenger. If the instrument cluster shows the warning symbol or message, treat the passenger protection system as impaired and schedule service soon. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023 BMW 760I or I7 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free front passenger seat ECU software reprogramming that addresses the seat-position recognition fault affecting the passenger air bag, knee air bag, and active headrest.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V050 when you call.
- Avoid carrying anyone in the front passenger seat until the software update is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician reprograms the front passenger seat electronic control unit software so the seat monitoring system recognizes seat position correctly. The recall software update and labor are free. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| February 3, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 3, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| February 3, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 10, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 28, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V050?
Recall 23V050 covers 397 2023 BMW 760I and I7 vehicles with the Executive Lounge Seating Package. The front passenger seat control unit software can fail to recognize seat position and disable the passenger air bag, knee air bag, and active headrest. BMW dealers will reprogram the software for free.
What should I do if my 2023 BMW 760I or I7 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 23V050. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the front passenger seat electronic control unit software reprogramming. Reference recall number 23V050 when you call. The 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 reprogram the front passenger seat electronic control unit software free of charge at a franchised BMW dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 23V050?
The safety risk is that the front passenger air bag, knee air bag, or active headrest will not deploy as intended in a crash. That raises the risk of injury for the front passenger. The dealer repair corrects the seat control unit software for free.
What if I bought my BMW 760I or I7 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received BMW's March 10, 2023 owner letter, check your VIN and call a BMW dealer with recall number 23V050.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V050000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V050 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V050000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →