BMW X5 Recall R/2020/252: A Starter Motor Bolt May Have Been Installed Incorrectly And Become Lost Inside The…, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Low
- How serious
- 17 Aug 2020
- Launched
- 11
- vehicles in the UK
- 0012390500
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
BMW recalled X5 vehicles built between 10 July 2020 and 10 July 2020. A starter bolt may have been installed incorrectly and become lost inside the transmission bell housing. The recall notice describes the fix as: the starter motor will be removed and checked for a bolt that is adrift any damage found will be rectified. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
A starter bolt may have been installed incorrectly and become lost inside the transmission bell housing.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: A STARTER MOTOR BOLT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND BECOME LOST INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION BELL HOUSING Defect: A starter bolt may have been installed incorrectly and become lost inside the transmission bell housing. Remedy: The starter motor will be removed and checked for a bolt that is adrift any damage found will be rectified.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: a starter motor bolt may have been installed incorrectly and become lost inside the transmission bell housing.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: the starter motor will be removed and checked for a bolt that is adrift any damage found will be rectified.
Are You Affected?
X5 built between 10 July 2020 and 10 July 2020 may be included. BMW estimates 11 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with BMW, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with BMW.
- Book with any franchised BMW dealer, quoting the campaign code 0012390500 or the DVSA reference R/2020/252. See how to get a BMW recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Series, 3 Series, 3 Series Touring, 4 Series and 7 moreReplace the engine starter motor | Urgent | R/2026/054 | |
| 1 Series, 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 2 Series and 22 moreTakata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (Global VINs) | Urgent | R/2025/349 | |
| X5Replace the engine starter motor | Urgent | R/2025/406 | |
| X5Check Windscreen Bonding reworking if necessary | Book soon | R/2025/360 | |
| 2 Series Active, 5 Series, 5 Series Touring, 7 Series and 5 moreHydraulic brake system unit replacement | Urgent | R/2024/414 |
This is one of 275 BMW recalls in DVSA’s data. The BMW recall launched before it was R/2020/179 on 17 Aug 2020, for the exhaust gas recirculation module cooler could leak over time. The one launched after it was R/2020/298 on 22 Oct 2020, for remaining particles in the cells of the high voltage battery can cause a short circuit. You can also see every BMW recall and all recalls launched in 2020.
Source: DVSA recall R/2020/252, launched 17 August 2020. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.