Recall 25V837 covers 25 2026 BMW X5 Plug-In Hybrid, X5, X6 and X7 SUVs for instrument panel trim. Free repair at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 25 2026 X5 Plug-In Hybrid, X5, X6, and X7 vehicles because an instrument panel defect can keep the passenger-side air bag from deploying properly. An air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury in a crash, and BMW dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The instrument panel in the 2026 BMW X5 Plug-In Hybrid, X5, X6, and X7 sits in front of the passenger and covers the passenger-side air bag. During a crash, that air bag needs a controlled opening in the panel. The panel is supposed to split along a hidden laser-cut pattern so the air bag can deploy toward the passenger instead of being blocked by the dashboard.
On affected BMW vehicles, the underside of the instrument panel was not laser-perforated correctly. The supplier process lost surveillance camera coverage after a tool change, so the laser cut was not confirmed the way it was supposed to be. If the tear path is in the wrong place, the front passenger air bag can be prevented from deploying properly.
There is no warning sign before failure. The panel looks normal from the cabin, and the problem is in the hidden perforation underneath the surface.
Who's affected?
Covers 4 BMW X-series variants from the 2026 model year, all with the same instrument panel part listed for the air bag system.
| 2026 BMW X5 Plug-In Hybrid | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2026 BMW X5 | air bag system |
| 2026 BMW X6 | air bag system |
| 2026 BMW X7 | air bag system |
| Units affected | 25 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2026 BMW X5 Plug-In Hybrid, X5, X6, or X7 does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the instrument panel trim interferes with air bag deployment, the air bag can fail to protect an occupant as designed and injury risk increases in a crash. Keep normal seat-belt use in place and schedule the dealer repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2026 BMW X5 Plug-In Hybrid, X5, X6, or X7 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free instrument-panel-trim replacement that fixes the passenger-side air bag deployment issue.
- Reference recall number 25V837 when you call; BMW says no owner letters will be mailed because the vehicles had not been sold from dealer inventory.
- Drive with extra caution until the repair is complete, since the passenger-side air bag can fail to deploy properly in a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces the instrument panel trim so the passenger side air bag has the correct deployment path. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. BMW says the affected vehicles have not been sold from dealer inventory, so owner letters are not being mailed. For the same reason, BMW is not offering reimbursement for repairs paid before notice under this campaign. If your VIN is included, the dealer handles the trim replacement before retail delivery or during recall service.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| December 4, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 4, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| December 4, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 4, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 4, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V837?
Recall 25V837 covers 25 2026 BMW X5 Plug-In Hybrid, X5, X6, and X7 vehicles with instrument panel trim that can prevent the passenger-side air bag from deploying properly. BMW dealers will replace the instrument panel trim for free.
What should I do if my 2026 BMW X5 Plug-In Hybrid, X5, X6, or X7 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 25V837. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the instrument panel trim replacement. Reference recall number 25V837 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 replace the instrument panel trim free of charge at any franchised BMW dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the passenger-side air bag can fail to deploy properly during a crash. An air bag that does not deploy properly can increase the risk of injury. BMW fixes the defect by replacing the instrument panel trim.
Will BMW mail owner letters for this recall?
No. BMW says the involved vehicles had not been sold from dealer inventory, so no owner letters will be mailed. VINs became searchable on December 4, 2025. Check your VIN, then call a franchised BMW dealer or BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V837000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V837 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V837000 |
Source documents
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Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (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 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →