Recall 24V856 covers 2 2025 BMW X3 vehicles with a right-side head curtain air bag assembly defect. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 2 2025 X3 30 xDrive vehicles because the gas generator in the right-side head curtain air bag was assembled incorrectly. The defect can delay activation or cause improper deployment in a crash, increasing injury risk, and BMW dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The right-side head curtain air bag in the 2025 BMW X3 is built into the roof rail area above the doors. During a side impact or rollover event, its inflator, also called the gas generator, rapidly fills the curtain air bag so it can cover the side glass area. The system depends on the inflator sitting in the correct position inside the air bag assembly.
On affected X3 vehicles, that gas generator was installed 180 degrees out of position during assembly. BMW traced the problem to an assembly error at the supplier, after inspection changes allowed the rotated part to pass through production. That leaves the right-side curtain air bag outside BMW's specified build configuration.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is inside the air bag assembly, so an owner is not expected to see a dashboard message, hear a noise, or feel a change while driving.
Who's affected?
| 2025 BMW X3 | side curtain air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 2 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2025 BMW X3 is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrectly assembled right-side head curtain air bag can activate late or deploy improperly in a crash, which increases injury risk. There is no listed warning sign before deployment trouble, so if your VIN is included, schedule the inspection and any needed replacement soon. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025 BMW X3 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free inspection and right-side head curtain air bag replacement that addresses delayed activation or improper deployment.
- Reference recall number 24V856 when you call; BMW says owner letters were not mailed because these vehicles had not been sold from dealer inventory.
- Call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 with questions about the inspection or repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician inspects the right-side head curtain air bag and replaces it if the inspection shows it is affected. The inspection, replacement part, and labor are free under the recall. BMW is not offering a separate reimbursement process for this campaign because all potentially affected vehicles were held in dealer inventory and were not sold to owners before the recall work.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| November 12, 2024 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 12, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| November 12, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 13, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 24V856?
Recall 24V856 covers 2 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive vehicles with a right-side head curtain air bag gas generator that was assembled incorrectly. BMW dealers will inspect the air bag and replace it if needed, free of charge.
What should I do if my 2025 BMW X3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 24V856. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the right-side head curtain air bag inspection. The dealer will replace the air bag if needed, and the repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. BMW dealers will inspect the right-side head curtain air bag and replace it if needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is delayed activation or improper deployment of the right-side head curtain air bag. In a crash, that can increase the risk of injury because the head curtain air bag is designed to help protect occupants along the side windows.
Will BMW mail owner letters for recall 24V856?
No. BMW reported that the vehicles had not been sold from dealer inventory, so no owner letters will be mailed. A VIN check still decides whether a specific X3 is included, and BMW customer service is available at 1-800-525-7417.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/24V856000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 24V856 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 24V856000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (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 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →