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Transport Canada · 17,913 recalls on record

2020 BMW 3 recalls

Every recall Transport Canada has on file, back to 1975, in plain English. Recall repairs are always free at a manufacturer dealer, however old the vehicle is.

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Recalls on record for a 2020 BMW 3

11recalls

10 still current.

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Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — they are required to do the work free of charge, with no time limit and regardless of how many owners the car has had.
Note: This lookup is by make, model and year, so it lists every recall issued for that vehicle — not all of which will apply to your exact build. A dealer can confirm what is outstanding on your VIN in a minute.

10 current recalls

Engine

Transport Canada recall 2025514 · manufacturer campaign 12 90 25RC

25 September 2025

Transport Canada lists: 3 2020 · X 5 2019–2020 · X 6 2020 · X 7 2019–2020

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the recall repairs completed by a BMW dealer during recall 12 83 24RC (Transport Canada recall no. 2024-444) may not be effective. As a result, certain vehicles require a second repair. On certain vehicles, if you try to start the engine repeatedly, the starter could overheat. If this happens, and nearby components contact the starter, it could cause a fire.

Why it matters

A fire can create the risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the engine starter.

14,573 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Electrical

Transport Canada recall 2025499 · manufacturer campaign 12 89 25RC

23 September 2025

Transport Canada lists: 3 2019–2021 · 4 2021 · 5 2020–2021 · X 3 2020–2021 · and 2 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, water could leak into the starter relay and cause it to corrode. If this happens, the relay could short circuit and the starter could overheat.

Why it matters

A short circuit and/or a starter that overheats can create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.

What the dealer will do

To reduce the safety risk, BMW advises that you should park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been completed. BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the engine starter.

17,761 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Electrical

Transport Canada recall 2024444 · manufacturer campaign 12 83 24RC

1 August 2024

Transport Canada lists: 3 2020 · X 5 2019–2020 · X 6 2020 · X 7 2019–2020

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, if you try to start the engine repeatedly, the starter could overheat. If this happens, and nearby components contact the starter, it could cause a fire.

Why it matters

A fire can create the risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the vehicle software.

11,802 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2021479 · manufacturer campaign 12 84 21RC

3 August 2021

Transport Canada lists: 3 2020 · 5 2020 · 7 2020–2022 · X 3 2020–2021 · and 2 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the vacuum pump to be damaged during engine starting. If this happens, there could be a loss of brake assist. This can cause an increase in brake pedal effort and increase the distance needed to stop the vehicle.

Why it matters

A sudden increase in brake pedal force could lead to an increased stopping distance. This could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the engine management software.

3,506 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Visual System

Transport Canada recall 2021078 · manufacturer campaign 66 80 21RC

18 February 2021

Transport Canada lists: 3 2019–2021 · 4 2021 · 5 2020–2021 · 7 2020–2021 · and 6 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear correctly in the central display. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse gear.

Why it matters

A rearview camera image that does not display correctly could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the rearview camera software, if necessary.

2,263 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVCompliance Mfr

Steering

Transport Canada recall 2020267

16 June 2020

Transport Canada lists: 3 2019–2020 · Z 4 2019

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, high temperatures and excessive vibration could cause damage to the steering tie rods. If this happens, the tie rods could break. This could result in a loss of steering control.

Why it matters

A loss of steering control could create a risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the steering tie rods.

1,018 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Seats And Restraints

Transport Canada recall 2020116 · manufacturer campaign 72 82 29RC

19 March 2020

Transport Canada lists: 3 2020 · 8 2020 · X 3 2020 · X 4 2020

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, there may be a problem with the front seat belt buckle sensors. This could cause the seat belt warnings to turn on, even if the front seat belts are buckled. If the driver ignores these warnings, the seat belt pretensioner and airbag systems may not function properly.

Why it matters

A seat belt pretensioner or airbag system that does not work properly in a crash could increase the risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to check the front seat belt buckles and replace them, if necessary.

573 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Visual System

Transport Canada recall 2019480 · manufacturer campaign 66 82 19RC

1 October 2019

Transport Canada lists: 3 2019–2020 · 5 2018–2020 · 6 2018–2020 · 7 2019–2020 · and 7 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the rearview camera does not return to the default settings when it turns on. This could make the rearview image difficult to see if a driver had previously adjusted the camera display brightness at or near the lowest setting, and contrast at or near the highest setting. Canadian regulations require that the rearview display returns to the default view each time the camera is turned on.

Why it matters

Reduced rear visibility could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the rearview camera. Drivers are recommended not to adjust the display brightness at or near the lowest setting, and contrast at or near the highest setting, until this recall is completed.

14,323 vehicles affected in CanadaCarCompliance Mfr

Steering

Transport Canada recall 2019470

25 September 2019

Transport Canada lists: 3 2020 · X 3 2020 · X 4 2020

What is wrong

On certain xDrive models, the front axle swivel bearing(s) (steering knuckles) may break due to a manufacturing defect. This could affect handling and cause reduced steering control.

Why it matters

A sudden change in handling and reduced steering control could increase the risk of a crash.

What the dealer will do

None of the affected vehicles have been sold to retail customers. BMW will instruct dealers to replace the front axle swivel bearing(s) before the vehicles are sold.

71 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2019220

9 May 2019

Transport Canada lists: 2 2019–2020 · 3 2019–2020 · 4 2019–2020

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the driver and front passenger knee airbags were not assembled correctly. This could cause the airbags not to inflate properly in a crash.

Why it matters

A knee airbag that does not deploy properly could create an increased risk of injury in a crash.

What the dealer will do

BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to replace the driver and/or front passenger knee airbag modules as required.

552 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Source: Vehicle recalls — Transport Canada. Data current as of 30 July 2026. 17,913 recalls, refreshed daily from Transport Canada’s 60-day feed. CarMonitor is not affiliated with Transport Canada or any manufacturer.