BMW has to deal with a second safety recall of its compact models within a few weeks. After the first recall at the end of October due to defective front belt retractors in several BMW and MINI vehicles, the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has now identified a separate problem with the rear seat belts of the BMW 1, 2, X1 and X2 series.
This new recall affects vehicles built between July 30 and October 13, 2025. Since these cars only recently came off the assembly line, many are already in customer hands. According to the German authorities (KBA), the problem is due to damaged sensor pins in the outer seat belt retractors in the rear. These pins are integrated into the vehicle’s sensitivity sensors, which monitor acceleration and rotational forces. If they were damaged during factory installation, the sensors may transmit incorrect data or no data at all. In such cases, the seat belt restraint system may not respond properly in the event of a collision, compromising safety.
Only the outer belts of the second row are affected. The center seat belt and all front seat belts are not affected by this recall. BMW dealers must therefore check both outer rear belts and replace them if necessary.
The recall affects 24,041 vehicles worldwide, but the majority are outside Germany. According to the KBA, only 6,277 copies are registered in Germany, the rest were exported abroad. Both BMW and the KBA state that there have been no incidents, injuries or property damage related to this rear seat belt issue.
Owners of BMW vehicles manufactured during this period will be contacted directly by the company and asked to take their car to a workshop for inspection. Customers who are not sure whether their vehicle is suitable for the recall can contact BMW customer service on +49 (0)89 1250 16175 and specifically ask for the recall codes 0072910200, 0072900200, 0072860200, 0072850200 and 0072840200. They can also request their vehicle identification number directly on BMW’s recall website to confirm whether their model is affected.
While the timing of this recall – coming so soon after another seat belt problem – may raise eyebrows, the underlying causes are different. The first case involved faulty reel components; This latest recall is related to an installation problem on the production line. Still, the impact is so severe that BMW must inspect each affected vehicle to ensure proper rear seat safety performance.
