Recall Repair Center

Find out if your BMW has an open recall & how you can fix it.

Looking for information about recent BMW recalls? If so, please use the resources below to schedule a free recall repair appointment at Richmond BMW, look up information on potential recalls affecting your vehicle, and get answers to commonly asked questions on automotive safety recalls.

Schedule Free Repair

Recall repairs are completed at no cost to you! Simply schedule your recall repair appointment online.

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Check Recalls By VIN

Not sure if your BMW has a recall? Use the NHTSA's free VIN check tool to look-up recalls by your vehicle’s VIN.

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Drive With Purpose

Drive knowing our expert techs repair recalls according to strict manufacturer and government safety standards.

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Cards

Do you have to pay for recall repairs?

By law, all vehicle owners and lessees are entitled to have their recall repaired free of charge. Any charges associated with the recall repair will be covered by the manufacturer and cost you nothing. If you determine that your BMW has an open recall, please schedule an appointment at ourService Center. We use the necessary equipment, tools, and parts from BMW to bring your vehicle up to factory standards. Our expert team of service advisors and technicians will have you back on the road in no time.

Vehicle Recall FAQ

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What is a safety recall and when is it necessary?

A safety recall happens when the manufacturer or the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that part of a vehicle is defective and the defect can affect the vehicle's safety. Generally, a safety recall will be issued for specific vehicle models or specific parts that are common among many different vehicles. When this happens, the manufacturer notifies its authorized dealers and the owners who have registered the vehicle so the owner can take the vehicle to an authorized dealer for repair.

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What is NHTSA?

NHTSA is the federal agency that oversees vehicle safety standards. Its mission is to reduce vehicle-related crashes and prevent injuries. NHTSA enforces regulations relating to vehicle performance and investigates safety defects.

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What does a safety recall mean to me?

If your vehicle or part of its equipment is subject to a safety recall, it means the manufacturer or NHTSA has decided that a possible defect in your vehicle is a concern, and they want to make sure it never causes a safety issue. You can learn more about safety recalls by visiting NHTSA's website here.

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How do I find out if the vehicle I am interested in buying is subject to a safety recall?

If you are shopping on our website and see a vehicle that interests you, there will be a link on the page where you see the vehicle titled "NHTSA VIN Look-Up." If you click on that, it will take you to the NHTSA safercar.gov database where you can see if that vehicle has any safety recalls. You can also visit the NHTSA website yourself here.

NHTSA's website allows users to enter any vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) - the specific code that identifies each individual automobile - into its system to pull up a report that will show whether that vehicle is subject to any safety recalls. The website also provides general information on safety recalls based on a vehicle's year, make, and model.

In addition to using the NHTSA website, a free CarFax report will be provided to you before you purchase the vehicle so you can review the vehicle's history, including whether there are any safety recalls reported by CarFax.

Please note that we are not affiliated with and do not control the NHTSA website or CarFax, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information they report. The accuracy of the information available through CarFax and NHTSA is subject to a number of factors, including but not limited to whether information reported by a manufacturer is up to date.

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Do you fix open safety recalls?

If a vehicle is offered for sale as "certified," it is our intention to repair any open safety recalls that we have identified before you take it home, although that may not always be possible depending on the nature of the recall, the availability of parts, etc. Regardless of whether a vehicle is "certified" or not, you will have the opportunity to review a CarFax report prior to sale, which provides information about the vehicle's history, including safety recalls reported by CarFax.

Please note that safety recall information comes from the manufacturers, and sometimes there is a delay between the time the manufacturers issue a safety recall and the time that information becomes available on databases like those run by NHTSA and CarFax. There may also be a delay in the ability to repair certain open safety recalls for various reasons, including the non-availability of parts. We do not and cannot guarantee that every vehicle sold, whether certified or not, will be recall-free.

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How will I find out if my vehicle is subject to a safety recall after I purchase it?

Manufacturers must notify by first-class mail all registered owners and purchasers of vehicles subject to a safety recall and provide an explanation of the safety recall's risk to safety. In the safety recall notice, the manufacturer will explain to the owner any potential safety hazards posed by the defect. The notice will also tell you what to do about it. Because manufacturers get the names of vehicle owners from state registration offices, you must maintain your state registration information to be sure to receive notice of a safety recall. If you move, be sure to update your address.

We also recommend that you register your vehicle with the manufacturer as soon as you purchase it. When you do so, you will receive important information on your vehicle directly from the manufacturer. Most manufacturers also have VIN-specific look-up functions on their sites. In addition, you can subscribe to email safety recall notifications from NHTSA here. These notifications will not be specific to your individual vehicle but will provide information for vehicles of the year and make you select when you sign up. If you subscribe, you will receive an email if there is a safety recall for the criteria you select.

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If I find out my vehicle is subject to a safety recall after I buy it, how do I get it fixed?

If your vehicle is subject to a safety recall, take it to a manufacturer-authorized repair facility. They are required to fix the problem at no cost to you.

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Visit Richmond BMW for all your service and repair needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions About BMW Vehicle Recalls

Our authorized factory repair center is located in the West End at 8710 Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23294. Richmond BMW is fully certified to perform all official manufacturer safety recalls and emissions campaigns for drivers throughout Henrico, Glen Allen, Midlothian, and Mechanicsville.
You can instantly check your vehicle's status by using our online check tool or by visiting the official BMW USA recall portal. You will need to input your vehicle's unique 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Additionally, any active safety updates or open service campaigns will display directly inside your mobile My BMW App under the "Recalls & Campaigns" section.
No, absolutely not. All official safety recalls, emissions campaigns, and structural technical updates mandated by the manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are performed 100% free of charge. This includes all genuine OEM replacement parts and specialized diagnostic labor performed at our Broad Street shop.

Your 17-character VIN can be easily located in a few physical spots on your vehicle:

  • On the driver's side dashboard, viewable from the outside where the bottom edge of the windshield glass meets the hood.

  • Molded onto the metal manufacturing plate located on the driver's side door jamb or B-pillar.

  • Stamped directly inside the engine bay housing or on your official Virginia vehicle registration card and insurance documents.

The duration varies significantly depending on the exact nature of the campaign. Software reflashes or simple sensor inspections can frequently be completed in under an hour, while complex mechanical updates—such as high-pressure fuel pump swaps or passenger airbag module replacements—may require several hours. Our team will provide an exact time estimate when you confirm your reservation.
Yes. For extensive recall procedures that require your vehicle to remain at our Broad Street facility for an extended period or a full day, we provide a complimentary local shuttle service and a fleet of BMW service loaner vehicles. Because loaner availability is limited, please make sure to request a replacement vehicle explicitly when booking your appointment online.
You should never ignore an official recall notice. Even if your vehicle feels completely normal during your daily commute along Interstate 64, safety recalls are issued because engineering data has identified a critical component failure risk. Ignoring a notice can result in sudden mechanical breakdown, an unexpected safety hazard, or long-term damage to adjacent engine systems.
If you previously covered the cost of a mechanical repair at an independent shop or dealership for a defect that was subsequently turned into an official factory campaign, you may be eligible for a full financial recovery. Under the federal TREAD Act, the manufacturer will review your original receipts and proof of payment to issue a reimbursement check. Our service advisors can help guide you through the submission process.
When a recall is first declared, the manufacturer must legally notify registered owners within 60 days, even if engineers are still designing or manufacturing the replacement parts. If you receive an initial notice stating "Remedy Not Yet Available," your vehicle is logged in our queue. As soon as the certified parts arrive at our Richmond parts department, we will contact you to schedule the free replacement.
Securing your spot takes less than two minutes. Navigate to our online scheduling assistant, provide your model details or enter your 17-digit VIN, select the open safety recall or technical campaign listed for your vehicle, pick a convenient morning or afternoon calendar date, and assign a dedicated service advisor to finalize your check-in structure.