Vehicle recall R/2021/158

BMW i3 recall: The control ring of the backrest recliner in the second seat row may break

DVSA recall R/2021/158 names the BMW i3. It was launched 28 April 2021. It covers vehicles built 19 February 2021 to 5 March 2021.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2021/158
Launched: 28 April 2021
Issued by: BMW
Manufacturer reference: 0052980100
Vehicles: 82 across the lines below

What can go wrong

The control ring of the recliner of the backrest in the second seat row may break due to insufficient material performance.

The fix

On the affected vehicles the seat frames of the second seat row will be replaced.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. Vehicle numbers are DVSA figures for each line.
Model	Built	Vehicles
BMW i3	19 February 2021 to 5 March 2021	82

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/2021/442 The material quality of the screws used for seat belts and rear seats may not be to specifications. 29 December 2021, BMW i3, BMW M5, BMW 2 Series and others
R/2020/162 The air bag control unit may have been equipped with a defective sensor for the rollover detection 8 June 2020, MINI Cooper and One, BMW X1, BMW i3
R/2022/089 The micro gas generator within the front seatbelt's retractor may have been damaged 30 March 2022, BMW X1, BMW X2, BMW i3 and others
R/2019/289 The electric motor electronics printed circuit board was not manufactured according to the specifications 3 April 2020, BMW i8, BMW i3
R/2022/322 During supplier s production process of the battery cells a manufacturing defect occurred with the winding of cell-internal films for the high-voltage battery. 14 November 2022, BMW i3
R/2015/244 Steering may not behave as designed 3 December 2015, BMW i8, BMW i3

Found one you might buy?

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. Methodology · Data sources