BMW of North America has announced a recall of 1,024 vehicles from the 2026 model year, including select 2 Series Gran Coupe, X1, X2, and Mini Countryman models, after identifying potentially damaged seatbelt retractors supplied by Autoliv ASP Inc. The recall was confirmed by the NHTSA, with the report citing possible failure of the internal retractor pins that could prevent the belt from locking during a crash.
The recall population covers vehicles built between July 30 and September 27, 2025, with roughly eight percent estimated to contain the defect. No injuries or accidents have been reported, but BMW’s investigation determined the flaw could increase injury risk if a collision occurred.
2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4
MINI
The Root Cause
Autoliv discovered that housing pins inside the retractor mechanism may have been damaged during maintenance on its production line. BMW’s testing confirmed that these parts could fail to lock under emergency loads, violating Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 209.
The recall affects several 2026 models, including the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, and M235i xDrive), the BMW X1 (xDrive28i and M35i), the BMW X2 (xDrive28i and M35i), as well as the Mini Countryman S ALL4 and JCW ALL4.
Dealers were notified October 21 and will replace the rear seatbelt retractors free of charge. Owner letters will be sent December 12, 2025, with a VIN lookup available on BMW and NHTSA portals.
Recall in Context
This recall follows similar supplier-related issues seen industry-wide as automakers tighten safety oversight. BMW has recently balanced these challenges alongside robust consumer demand for new models. Its electric and luxury segments continue to grow rapidly, orders for the iX3 are outpacing production capacity, showing continued momentum for the brand’s EV lineup.
Likewise, BMW’s retail programs remain strong: new i4 lease deals this month demonstrate how the automaker is making electrification more accessible, while other lease deals for the X7 highlight attractive financing on its flagship SUV. Even amid recalls, BMW’s product and sales strategies show few signs of slowing.
What Owners Should Do
Owners of affected vehicles are advised to check their VIN on BMW’s or NHTSA’s recall page once the database updates on December 12. They should contact their dealer to schedule an inspection and have the rear seatbelt retractors replaced at no cost.
Until the repairs are completed, it’s recommended to avoid using the affected seat positions if possible. Finally, owners should keep documentation of the repair for future resale records.
Why It Matters
Seatbelts remain the first and most reliable line of crash protection. A small production defect in a safety component can undermine that protection entirely. While this recall affects only about a thousand cars, BMW’s swift response and transparency ensure owners can address the issue quickly.
For the automaker, it’s a reminder that even as it expands into electric mobility and luxury-performance niches, quality control across every supplier remains mission-critical.
