BMW has been required to recall 6,930 vehicles in the U.S. as a result of a software glitch that prevents certain critical information from being displayed on the infotainment screen. The unusual part is that it’s only a problem when the vehicles are in valet mode.
The issue affects 2022-2023 iX xDrive40, iX xDrive50, iX M60, 2022 i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 models built between October 14, 2021, and July 1, 2022. It was first noticed on May 3, 2022, during a quality check at the assembly plant.
The automaker launched an engineering analysis review into the Head Unit software functionality. BMW looked at its operation in both normal and valet modes and eventually determined that there was a programming/coding problem affecting how certain warning messages were displayed in the latter mode.
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Ultimately, it was discovered that, in valet mode, the infotainment screen may not display warning messages and warning lights. As a result, the vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 101. Thus the driver might not be made aware of a serious safety concern within the vehicle and a fault might go unnoticed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fortunately, BMW is not aware of any crashes or injuries as a result of this programming fault. Since the vehicles don’t abide by U.S. regulations, though, the automaker will have to recall them.
BMW will reach out to owners by first class mail. The customers will then be instructed to bring their vehicle back into the dealership, where they will be reprogrammed so that important warning messages are displayed even when the vehicle is in valet mode. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on August 29.
