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Service bulletins for the 2020 BMW X3

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.

286 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

By type

By component

Bulletins, newest first
B1104202020-12-21. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. CONNECTING ROD BEARING: BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective November 20, 2020) on a small number of Model Year 2020-2021 BMW vehicles that were produced between May 15, 2019 and October 23, 2020.
B5121192020-11-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. ACTIVE AIR FLAP FAULT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR: A check control message or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) may be illuminated, with faults stored related to the upper and/or lower active air flap(s). Potential causes include: Faulty upper air flap actuator or flap assembly (G01, G02, G12, G30, G32) Faulty lower air flap assembly (G01, G02, G12, G30, G32) Software error in the DME affecting the upper flap (G01, G02 only).
B3205202020-11-23. Service bulletin. STEERING. INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WITH CHECK CONTROL MESSAGE (CCM): During multiple vehicle steering maneuvering or extended time at steering end stops (i.e. "full lock"), the check control message (CCM) "Increased steering effort, drive moderately" (CCM ID 997) may appear.
B0112192020-11-23. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE. FRONT GRILLE UPPER/LOWER ACTIVE AIR FLAPS: LTD WTY EXT TO 15 YEARS/150,000 MILES: Component-Specific Limited Warranty Extension This component-specific limited warranty extension applies to defects in materials or workmanship. This coverage is subject to the same vehicle eligibility requirements, limitations, and exclusions that apply to the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks. Air flap issues caused by debris/blockage from outside influences is not a defect in materials or workmanship and is not claimable. During the extended limited warranty coverage period (Eligible vehicles that are beyond the 4 year/50,000 mileage New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage), Active Air Flap cosmetic defect issues are not covered.
B5121192020-11-16. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. ACTIVE AIR FLAP FAULT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR: A check control message or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) may be illuminated, with faults stored related to the upper and/or lower active air flap(s). Potential causes include: Faulty upper air flap actuator or flap assembly (G01, G02, G12, G30, G32) Faulty lower air flap assembly (G01, G02, G12, G30, G32) Software error in the DME affecting the upper flap (G01, G02 only).
B3205202020-11-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; STEERING. INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WITH CHECK CONTROL MESSAGE (CCM): During multiple vehicle steering maneuvering or extended time at steering end stops (i.e. "full lock"), the check control message (CCM) "Increased steering effort, drive moderately" (CCM ID 997) may appear.
B0112192020-11-16. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS. FRONT GRILLE UPPER/LOWER ACTIVE AIR FLAPS: LTD WTY EXT TO 15 YEARS/150,000 MILES: Component-Specific Limited Warranty Extension This component-specific limited warranty extension applies to defects in materials or workmanship. This coverage is subject to the same vehicle eligibility requirements, limitations, and exclusions that apply to the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks. Air flap issues caused by debris/blockage from outside influences is not a defect in materials or workmanship and is not claimable. During the extended limited warranty coverage period (Eligible vehicles that are beyond the 4 year/50,000 mileage New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage), Active Air Flap cosmetic defect issues are not covered.
B5121192020-10-19. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE. ACTIVE AIR FLAP FAULT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR: A check control message or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) may be illuminated.
B6619192020-09-14. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. COMFORT ACCESS AND COMFORT GO NOT POSSIBLE: Vehicle cannot be unlocked/locked or started via Comfort Access. Remote control functionality is restored by pressing any of the key buttons or by removing and reinstalling the remote control key battery.
B6515202020-09-14. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HEAD UNIT RESETS WHEN NAVIGATION IS USED IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS: The head unit resets sporadically causing the CID to turn black and then starts up again after a short time with the message "Start navigation system". This only occurs during navigation guidance when the "3D building" function is used Software in the Head Unit High (HU-H3).
B6208182020-09-14. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY SHAKES-SHIFTS TO THE LEFT: The Instrument cluster intermittently flickers, shakes and has shifted to the left. The fault is resolved once the vehicle goes into sleep mode.
B6117202020-09-14. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. DELIVERY STOP - HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY: Please do not charge the vehicle high-voltage battery until further notice. There may be a potential issue in the welding process of the HV-modules.
B5118182020-09-14. Service bulletin. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES. DOORS WILL NOT COMPLETELY LATCH: One or more doors will not completely latch or will open to the first stage at times. The door lock strikers may be misadjusted.
B1222192020-09-14. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. EME GROUND CONNECTION MONITORING FAULTS: Check Control message (CCM ID 794): "Drive. Check as soon as possible" illuminates. Increased ground cable contact resistance at Electrical Machine Electronics (EME) due to corrosion/oxidation.
B0902182020-09-14. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NEW ECU VALIDATION NEEDED AFTER REPLACING CERTAIN CONTROL MODULES: With introduction of the new Headunit HU-H3 (MGU Media Graphics Unit), there is a new protection mechanism against tampering. If one or more of the following components needs to be replaced, the secure connection between them must be re-established: MGU TCB Telematic Communication Box (ATM-02) RSE Rear Seat Entertainment and/or KOMBISP18 instrument cluster Prior to re-establishing this connection, an electronic certificate must be created in the BMW backend for importing into the Vehicle. After the replacement of one of the mentioned Modules, the Control Module needs a valid certificate for it to communicate with the other Modules.
B6512202020-08-31. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. BMW CONNECTEDDRIVE APPS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE AFTER PROGRAMMING: After programming vehicle with "20-03" software, BMW ConnecedDrive apps are no longer available in the head unit. Software in the Head Unit High (HU-H3).
B6507092020-08-31. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. NAVIGATION SYSTEM - REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROADMAP DATA: Do not replace parts and do not program the vehicle. Roads can change by up to 15% every year. To ensure the best navigation experience, we do everything in our power to create the best maps. Your reports help us to detect changes in your area and keep future versions of our maps as accurate as possible. Therefore, a road map error or missing data must be reported directly to the map supplier.
B6201192020-08-31. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND ONBOARD COMPUTER INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE: The audio source, radio station, or music track cannot be changed using the MFL. Normal functionality may possibly return after a sleep cycle or a battery reset. This affects vehicles with: Integration level S18A-18-11-5xx Live Cockpit Professional (option code 6U3) including the instrument cluster High 4.1. While the Kombi is not working properly the rest of the system is working properly. The customer can still use the Central Information Display (CID) for items such as entertainment settings, Driver Experience settings, etc, utilizing the I drive controller. The telephone functions are not affected. Unfavorable software at system start-up.
B6104192020-08-31. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT. VEHICLE DOES NOT START BATTERY TOTALLY DISCHARGED: The customer's vehicle does not start due to a totally discharged battery.
B5121192020-08-31. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ACTIVE AIR FLAP FAULT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR: Potential causes include: Faulty upper air flap actuator (G01, G02, G12, G30, G32) Faulty lower air flap assembly (G01, G02, G12, G30, G32) Software error in the DME affecting the upper flap (G01, G02 only).
B3405172020-08-31. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; WHEELS. TICKING NOISE WHILE CORNERING WITHOUT THE BRAKES APPLIED: Ticking noise coming from front wheel while cornering without brakes applied, noticeable at low speeds. The vehicle must be moving.
B6629192020-07-27. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY; BACK OVER PREVENTION. TOP VIEW CAMERA: IMAGE IS MISALIGNED: The top view image of the vehicle is misaligned when observed in the Control Information Display (CID). When the vehicle is parked in a parking spot with line markings, it is clearly noticed in the CID that the lines are not parallel to the side of the vehicle. This may be noticed on either the driver side, passenger side or both. Side view camera loose fitment in the exterior mirror bracket, causing changes to the top view image.
B6104192020-07-27. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. VEHICLE DOES NOT START BATTERY TOTALLY DISCHARGED: The customer's vehicle does not start due to a totally discharged battery.
B5121192020-07-27. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ACTIVE AIR FLAP FAULT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR: A check control message or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) may be illuminated, with faults stored related to the upper and/or lower active air flap(s).
B6612202020-06-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SURROUND VIEW VEHICLE IMAGE DISPLAYED IS INACCURATE: When Surround View is activated the vehicle image displayed in the Central Information Display (CID) contains inaccurate details.

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.