• BMW is recalling almost 300,000 X3s in the US over fears the cargo rails in the trunk might detach in an accident.
  • A total of 291,112 SUVs need to be returned to dealerships to have their cargo rail securing bolts replaced.
  • X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M models built between 2017 and 2022 are affected.

Cargo rails in a car’s trunk help keep messy loads from spilling all over the place, and also give us protection from heavy luggage cannonballing into the front seat area under emergency breaking conditions. But BMW has been forced to recall almost 300,000 SUVs because their rails might break off.

A total of 291,112 X3s built between March 2017 and September 2022 for the 2018-2023 model years are affected by the announcement and will have to return to a dealership service center to have their cargo rail securing bolts replaced. X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X3 M models are all caught up in the recall.

Related: BMW’s Exploding Airbag Recall Extends To 5, 6-Series, M4, X3 And X5

It’s not like the rails just fly off randomly. In fact, they’re extremely unlikely to pose a problem. BMW says there’s only a risk of them becoming detached if an X3 suffers a heavy rear-end impact, in which case they might break off and cause an injury to someone.

Though neither BMW or the NHTSA goes further into the risks than that, we’re guessing that the problem is less to do with the risk of the rails themselves breaking free in a smash as it is any load secured using them coming free.

BMW Recalling Nearly 300,000 X3s Because Their Cargo Rails Might Set Sail In A Crash

The recall chronology report does reveal that BMW first became aware of a problem in August 2022 after learning of crash involving a 22MY X3. But the automaker’s technicians weren’t able to inspect the vehicle for over 18 months because the owner was busy building a legal case against the firm.

Cases were filed in October 2023 and January of 2024, and BMW engineers finally got their hands on the SUV in March of this year, their analysis eventually leading to the this month’s recall.

Prior to the recall being announced, several commenters on the X3 forum on Bimmerpost have told other members how they were about to take delivery of pre-owned X3s during July, but that the deals were pulled because BMW had ordered all sales be stopped until the problem is fixed.