Seat belts: front: buckle assembly (BMW)
Vehicle recall 03V-032. NHTSA received BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE’s report on Feb 4, 2003.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE’s report on Feb 4, 2003. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
IF THE CONNECTION DETACHES, THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SAFETY BELT IS LIKELY TO BE IMPAIRED, AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER COULD OCCUR THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE MITIGATED.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CONNECTION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE TO THE STEEL ROPE OF THE TENSIONER DOES NOT MEET BMW SPECIFICATIONS.
IN SEVERE FRONTAL CRASHES, THIS CONNECTION CAN DETACH.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Seat belts: front: buckle assembly.
What should you do?
DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT TENSIONER AND BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THESE PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 2,635 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- BMW X5and 2002, before the model years listed here
- BMW Z4and 2003, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
-
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.