Service bulletins for the 2015 BMW ActiveHybrid 3
A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.
423 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
By type
By component
By trouble code
By topic
| B840816 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. The underlying 2G technology for the GSM (Global System Mobile communication) COMBOX will no longer be supported by the cellular network providers after December 31, 2016. This COMBOX and the BMW Assist services that use its functionality will therefore no longer function after that date. The BMW Assist functionalities that are affected includes the following: SOS/E-Call including Automatic crash notification Concierge Service Remote Service Teleservices The vehicle's exisiting Bluetooth(r) wireless functionality is NOT affected. |
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| B840316 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SERVICE ACTION: GSM COMBOX DEACTIVATION / DISCONTINUATION WITH 4 YEAR ASSIST SERVICE. What's New: ? Model: Option code removed to prevent confusion about affected vehicles ? Situation: Information added about Bluetooth functionality that is not affect by this Service Action ? Correction: Information added about lease returns, loaner, CPO and used vehicles that are not eligible for the 3 customer options ? Information: Removed scenario regarding new/unsold Z4s & X1s ? Procedure: Added info about COMBOX retrofit that it does not affect Bluetooth functionality ? Warranty: Added info that the correct flat rate labor operation that corresponds to the option the customer selected is claimed and removed information about Z4s & X1s . The underlying 2G technology for the GSM (Global System Mobile communication) COMBOX will no longer be supported by the cellular network providers after December 31, 2016. This COMBOX and the BMW Assist services that use its functionality will therefore no longer function after that date. The BMW Assist functionalities that are affected includes the following: SOS/E-Call including Automatic crash notification Concierge Service Remote Service Teleservices The vehicle's exisiting Bluetooth(r) wireless functionality is NOT affected. |
| B840311 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. "?Telematics Device Spares Replacement Part Activation via DCSnet for BMW Assist What's New: ? Model: All models added along with 6AC option code ? Situation: All information added ? Information: Deleted CDMA related information and added activation of Wi-Fi control unit ? Procedure: Added "Note" regarding ConnectedDrive support hotline information . A replacement telematics control unit must only be activated for vehicles with an active BMW Assist subscription. Note: 2G CDMA and 2G GSM telematics control units cannot be activated because they are no longer supported and the supporting network(s) have been decommissioned. INFORMATION The following changes have taken place: All Telematics control unit replacements must be activated by Part managers via the DCSnet application. New steps included in the procedure for activating Telematics control unit replacements for vehicles equipped with Wi-Fi Hotspot (6WD)." |
| B650717 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. "LIST OF AVAILABLE FM RADIO STATIONS TEMPORARILY NOT AVAILABLE. INFORMATION As of 11/2015, all Entry-NAV/Media head units supplied in new vehicles were upgraded for improved noise characteristics and quality. As a part of this upgrade, the hardware updating the sender lists was changed from an "update after every diversity reception interruption or maximum of four minutes" configuration to "regular interval updates (every four minutes) without regard to diversity reception status" configuration. This may cause a delay of up to four minutes for updates to the sender list when leaving areas of poor reception. The last received transmitter, before the entrance into underground car parking or a tunnel, is still received and will show station identification. This fixed interval update does not apply to Traffic Message Channel updates which remain active. This new equipment operation pattern may be noticed by the customer after replacement of their Head unit. All replacement Head units delivered since 01/2016 have the upgraded design. An immediate solution would be for the customer to select one of their stored favorite stations via the menu or favorites buttons. PARTS INFORMATION Parts exchange or a software update are not effective or approved for this situation. WARRANTY INFORMATION Not applicable." |
| B620517 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. ?INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAYS MIXED UNITS. When the displayed unit of measurement is changed from miles to Kilometers everything except the cruise control or limit set speed is displayed in Kilometers; the set speed is still shown in miles in the Instrument Cluster (Kombi) display. KOMBI software. |
| B620117 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TIME DISPLAY (CLOCK) ERROR IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. The clock on the basic instrument cluster (KOMBI) gradually loses time even after being reset. Power supply fluctuations cause the time to reset. |
| B613014 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "?BMW Maintenance Program: 12-Volt Battery Replacement Measure What's new: ? "Models" updated: Model Year 2017 vehicles added ? "Models" updated: Model Year G12 (7 Series) excluded from program ? "Procedure" updated: N63R engine added to 2016 Model Year G12 (7 Series) ? Attachment updated with G12 (7 Series) production date range for 2016 Model Year. INFORMATION This bulletin outlines a customer satisfaction measure that has been designed exclusively for the BMW vehicles listed above. It involves the replacement of the 12-volt battery as a preventive maintenance measure. This 12-volt battery replacement measure is: Effective for repairs dated on or after January 1, 2015. Applicable to vehicles that are still covered by the BMW Maintenance Program. This program is valid for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. The calculation is based on the current date of repair. It is "applicable" when the 12volt battery was not replaced within the last 12 months. You can then perform the battery replacement as outlined below. Please check the warranty claim history for the specific vehicle in the DCSnet Warranty Vehicle Inquiry to confirm the battery was not already replaced within the previous 12 months." |
| B611817 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "SME FAULT CODE 21F02A. Upon starting the vehicle, the following CC message is displayed to the customer: "Powertrain malfunction!" (CCM-ID: 633) In addition, one or several of the following CC message(s) may be displayed: "Charging not possible" (CCM-ID: 804), "Hybrid system malfunctioning!" (CCM-ID: 585), "Drive. No restart" (CCM-ID: 586) or "Engine fault! Power loss" (CCM-ID: 29). Possible hardware defect of the safety box." |
| B511817 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. EXTERIOR BMW ROUNDEL EMBLEMS SEPARATE AND FALL OFF. The exterior BMW Roundel Emblem (front and/or rear) separates from the mounting base and falls off. Delamination of the Roundel Emblem. |
| B130315 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. ?N20, N26, N55, N63TU, S63TU and S55 Engines: Bosch Injector ETK Part Number Error What's New: ? Identifying the injector type using the ISTA test plan ? Determining the injector part number using the new the parts table. The current version of the ETK incorporates multiple part number errors for the Bosch type injectors. Ordering the injectors by VIN number or manual identification in ETK may result in an incorrect part number. |
| B112216 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. ?"ENGINE OIL PRESSURE" ON LOW MILEAGE CARS. Check Control Message (CCM-212) states: "Engine Oil Pressure. Stop Carefully" The following codes may be stored in the DME fault memory" 1C2002 - Engine oil pump, pressure too low 1FB801 - CCM (ID212) - Oil pressure Also, the vehicle's mileage is very low (below 60 miles), the fault frequency shows only "one" occurrence; faults are not currently present and cannot be reproduced. CAUSE Unfavorable DME software application." |
| B840916 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. "?SERVICE ACTION: SUPPLEMENTARY PAGE NEEDED IN OWNER'S MANUAL . Operator's manual of affected vehicles does not contain required information on wireless smartphone charging accessory. AFFECTED VEHICLE Vehicles which require this Service Action to be completed will show it as ""Open"" when checked either in the ""Service Menu"" of DCSnet (Dealer Communication System) or with the Key Reader." |
| B651715 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "?ACTIVE SOUND DESIGN (ASD) INOPERATIVE AFTER PROGRAMMING What's New: ? ISTA/P and ISTA 4 software level that contains the fix added to Correction and Procedure ? F31, F32, F33, F34, F36 vehicles added to Models ? Warranty information updated to include programming fix . After programming with ISTA/P V3.56.1 or ISTA/P V3.60: Active Sound Design (ASD) no longer provides simulated engine sounds. A fault is stored in the Active Sound Design (ASD) module. Fault Code 8053A5 ""ASD; invalid coding data for equalizing"". Invalid ASD coding data in two different versions of ISTA/P." |
| B650617 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. ?SATELLITE RADIO DETERIORATION IN RECEPTION QUALITY DUE TO NEW CELLULAR FREQUENCIES . INFORMATION Inform the customer that the introduction of these expanded frequencies by the wireless mobile providers may be influencing reception quality. BMW is currently working with the wireless mobile providers in order to improve the quality of reception and help alleviate the issues that are caused by the wireless mobile expanded frequencies. Once we have more information about this situation this service information bulletin will be updated. Currently Satellite Radio is provided by SiriusXM for BMW customers via geosynchronous (GEO) satellites located roughly above the equator. This means that the satellite signal to some parts of the United States can come in at an angle as low as 32 degrees to the horizon. Due to this angle, buildings, hills, trees, highway sound blocking walls or other obstacles might block the satellite signal coming from reaching the vehicle receiver antenna and might cause audio cut outs, unless the wireless provider has installed terrestrial repeaters. Reception quality decreases the further north you travel, as the angle of the incoming signal gets smaller. Also adverse weather conditions might affect reception. At this time, in the event of a customer complaint or inquiry on interference noise: Do not replace any parts Do not program or carry out other work on the vehicle Explain to customer about the new Wireless Communications Service (WCS) signals When investigating Satellite Radio cutouts or a temporary loss of reception: Please compare to a similarly equipped vehicle. Keep in mind the roofline of the vehicle, size of the antenna (sharkfin) and location of the antenna on the vehicle will all affect the strength of the reception. Do not compare a Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) with a high roofline mounted antenna to a different vehicle such as a coupe or convertible with a much lower mounting point of the antenna. Replace no parts Do not prog |
| B650616 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ?NBT HEAD UNIT ABORTS IMPORT OF CD Whats New: ? G12 (7 Series) removed ? I01 (i3) removed ? Warranty Section updated for removal of G12 and I01 . While importing a CD to the internal music collection of an NBT head unit the process aborts. You will see 'import error' on the radio display when this occurs. NBT Head Unit software |
| B620317 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "?SERVICE ACTION: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY IN KM/H . When the instrument cluster's digital speedometer has been set to display metric speed and distance values, there is no display of the miles per hour. US regulations specify that even with the instruments set to display metric values, a ""Miles per hour"" display must also be present for immediate visual reference. To confirm language settings use the iDrive controller: Menu, Vehicle Settings, Language/Units, then - Distance - Dig (digital) Speedometer Instrument Cluster (KOMBI) software error." |
| B514416 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES. EXTERIOR MIRROR: CREAKING NOISES Whats new: Video link added This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B51 44 16 dated January 2017. . Creaking noise coming from either or both exterior rearview mirrors when folding in. Video Link: tinyurl.com/z46agg9 Accumulation of dust in the joint gap seal. |
| B130315 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. N20, N26, N55, N63TU, S63TU and S55 Engines: Bosch Injector ETK Part Number Error What's New: ? Procedure change: indentifying injector type using an ISTA test plan. . The current version of the ETK incorporates multiple part number errors for the Bosch type injectors. Ordering the injectors by VIN number or manual identification in ETK may result in an incorrect part number. |
| B111216 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. ?SERVICE ACTION: SERVICE ACTION: N63T ENGINE CHECK AND REPLACE THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION HOSES What's New: ? Defect Code format updated ? Consequential Additional Repair(s) statement added ? Overlapping Labor Procedure statement added . The crankcase ventilation hoses may become brittle and break when they come in contact with hot engine components. One or more of the crankcase ventilation hoses are not FPM rubber material. The FPM rubber material is engine heat resistant. Or The plastic coggurated hoses are not fitted with the self-locking spacers. The self-locking spacers maintain an air gap between the hoses and the hot engine components. |
| B111015 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. ?Service Action: Replace the Thermostat What's New: ? Part number and quantity of coolant has been updated. Refer to the Warranty section for details. . The Service Engine Soon light is on with corresponding fault codes in the DME for the engine thermostat. |
| B620217 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ?SeriesOptionDescription F22, F23, F30, F31, F32, F33, F34, F36, F25, F26, F48, 05AR Traffic Jam AssistantX. Sporadically, at low temperatures, the instrument cluster (KOMBI) is not operating (display remains black). KOMBI software. |
| B610315 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ?Various Check Control Messages Caused by Shorted K- CAN This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B61 03 15 dated June 2016. . The customer states that one or more of the following CC messages are displayed: 627 - Steering behavior: Drive moderately 070 - Steering: Drive moderately 765 - Rear-end collision restricted 850 - Pedestrian warning restricted 236 - Driving stabilization: Drive moderately 299 - SOS call system failure 042 - Brake system: Drive moderately After performing a vehicle test, one or more of the following fault codes are stored: ACSM - C9549A Message faulty (seat memory), ACSM receiver, driver's seat module transmitter FEM - D91DE0 No message, receiver FEM, transmitter TMSL FEM - D91EE5 No message, receiver FEM, passenger seat module transmitter ACSM - C9540C Message missing, receiver ACSM, transmitter FEM TMSL - D95402 Message missing, receiver TMSL, transmitter FEM KOMBI - E11454 No message, receiver KOMBI, transmitter REM FEM - D91DE6 No message, receiver FEM, transmitter TMSL TMSR - D99401 Message missing, receiver TMSR, transmitter FEM TMSR - D99402 Message missing, receiver TMSR, transmitter FEM FEM - 8041BA AHL system faulty FEM - D916C3 No message, receiver FEM, transmitter TCB ZBE - E2D403 No message, receiver CON, transmitter FEM-ZGM TRSVC - CA9428 Message incorrect, receiver TRSVC, transmitter PDC-REM TMSL- D95401 Message missing, receiver TMSR, transmitter FEM HU-H - S0397 MOST configuration was not stored TCB - E1445F KCAN2 or KCAN4: Line fault/electrical fault FEM - 8041B6 LWR faulty REM - E58468 Body CAN2; communication fault TRSVC - CA9427 Message incorrect, receiver all around vision camera, transmitter PDC/REM FEM - D91CEC Message missing, receiver FEM, transmitter REM Shorted K-CAN wiring under driver or passenger seat Shorted K-CAN2 wires were shorted between the left side trunk trim panel and the body of the vehicle Shorted K-CAN in left rear wheel well area Shorted K-CAN under center console trim Shorted K-CAN und |
| B520916 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. SEATS. ?REAR SEAT RATTLE . Rear bench seat backrest rattles when driving on uneven roads. Rear bench seatback rattles between the attachment points and retaining clip contact surfaces. |
| B520317 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; SEATS. ?MISSING AUDIO NOTIFICATION WHEN STORING SEAT MEMORY . When saving seat memory settings (Memory 1 or Memory 2) with a vehicle without navigation, there is no audio tone confirmation. Software error in control unit of Seat Module 2. |
| B310514 | 2018-11-05. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. ?FRONT SUSPENSION RIDE HEIGHT HAS DROPPED . INFORMATION Please refer to the Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC), using the VIN to locate the part numbers. WARRANTY INFORMATION Damages due to outside influences are not covered under the terms of the BMW limited warranties. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.