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NHTSA Recall 15V520000: Exterior lighting

BMW of North America, LLC reported this safety recall to NHTSA on , covering an estimated 7,727 vehicles. It affects 9 models including the BMW 320I.

7,727
vehicles potentially affected
9
models affected
2015
owners notified (October 7)
NHTSA campaign15V520000
ComponentEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Report receivedAugust 17, 2015
Owner notificationOctober 7, 2015
Initiated byManufacturer

Defect

BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Safety risk

If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Vehicles covered by recall 15V520000

Make and modelModel years
BMW 320I2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
BMW 320XI2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
BMW 328D2014, 2015
BMW 328I2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
BMW 328XD2014, 2015
BMW 328XI2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
BMW 335I2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
BMW 335XI2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
BMW Active Hybrid 32012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Being listed here means the campaign covers the model year, not that every car was built with the defect or is still unrepaired. Enter your VIN above to check your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorised dealers. Source: NHTSA, October 2026.