Precisely 3,256 units of the 2025 model year BMW X5, X6, X7, and performance-oriented XM have been recalled for a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208, which regulates occupant crash protection. The reason behind this recall boils down to hall sensors not installed according to specifications by Mexico's ZF Lifetec.
In the world of all things automotive, hall-effect sensors guarantee are used to ensure proper latching of the seatbelt buckle. BMW's concern is that the sensor could indicate – erroneously – a belted condition. This obviously affects the logic of the safety belt warning system and the functionality of the supplemental restraint system, therefore increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Rather than replacing the aforementioned sensor, which bears the name of the American physicist who discovered the Hall effect in 1879, the German automaker's dealers have been instructed to replace either one or both front lower safety belt latches. Recall documentation reveals that BMW of North America anticipates a low number of defective latches, namely one percent of the recall population.
The supplier became aware of the recall condition on April 15. Five days later, a vehicle at the BMW assembly plant in Spartanburg exhibited the described condition. BMW of North America issued a stop-ship order. Thankfully for owners and the German company alike, BMW isn't aware of any field reports of injuries related to this problem.
Owners will be notified via first-class mail no later than July 5. The affected vehicle population was assembled at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the period between April 5 and April 20, and the CLAR-based SUVs in question range from the rear-drive X5 sDrive40i to the 738-horse XM Label. The latter is BMW's most powerful series-production model as of May 2024. The XM Label also happens to be the torquiest Bimmer as well, for its plug-in hybrid twin-turbo V8 setup is advertised with a grand total of 738 pound-feet (1,000 Nm) of twist.
Photo: BMW
This recall obviously qualifies for alternative mobility solution expense reimbursement. Also worthy of note, BMW's Alpina-branded XB7 is affected as well. The XB7 is best described as being a punchier take on the X7 M60i. With 631 horsepower on tap from its mild-hybrid V8, the XB7 is four ponies up on the ridiculously capable M5 CS. The F90 generation will soon be replaced by the G90 sedan and G99 longroof, which are getting an XM-like powertrain.
In this application, the plug-in hybrid twin-turbo V8 setup is expected to belt out 718 horses at full chatter. That would put BMW's next-generation M5 between the regular XM and the XM Label.
Despite being the second car developed entirely by the M division after the mid-engined M1 from the 1970s, the XM can also be had with a regular production engine. More specifically, certain markets get the XM 50e, which trades the M-developed S68 V8 for the B58. Adding insult to injury, the XM 50e has less power than the plug-in hybrid X5 xDrive50e.
It's easy to criticize BMW for watering down the aesthetically challenged XM, but remember that BMW keeps it real in terms of cylinder count. Over at Mercedes-AMG, the four-pot C 63 and GLC 63 are nigh-on insulting compared to their V8-powered forerunners.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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