BMW of North America has issued a new safety recall that impacts selected 2025 and 2026 model year BMW sport utility vehicles as well as MINI models. The issue centers on the front seatbelt retractors, where the torsion bars may have been damaged during production. Because of this, the seatbelts in affected vehicles may not provide proper restraint in the event of a crash, posing a potential safety risk to occupants.
The recall affects vehicles built on the BMW Group’s UKL front-wheel-drive-based platform, which underpins several compact models across both brands. Specifically, the campaign includes the BMW X1 (U11) and X2 (U10) in the U.S. market, along with the MINI Cooper and MINI Countryman, all of which could have been fitted with the defective seatbelt components. Production records show that the impacted vehicles were manufactured between June 20, 2025, and July 31, 2025.
The seatbelt retractors in question were supplied by Autoliv’s North American division. According to documents, the problem arose when torsion bars were compromised during a maintenance process at the supplier’s facility. BMW was formally alerted to the issue in September 2025, which triggered an internal engineering analysis and a comprehensive review of production logs. Fortunately, at the time of the filing, BMW had not received any reports of accidents or injuries linked to the defect.
As a remedy, BMW dealers will replace the affected seatbelt assemblies with properly manufactured parts that meet safety specifications. Dealers were first notified of the recall on September 17, 2025, and customer notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning November 7, 2025. On the same date, BMW and MINI will also upload the affected vehicle identification numbers (VINs) to their official consumer websites, enabling owners to easily check if their vehicle is included in the recall.
Both the BMW X1 and X2 sold in the U.S. are produced in Germany. These subcompact luxury crossovers are equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from BMW’s B48 family, as opposed to the broader engine lineup available in Europe. While global buyers can opt for smaller three-cylinder gasoline units or fully electric versions, U.S. customers are limited to the B48, which makes 241 horsepower in standard trims or up to 312 hp in the high-performance M35i specification. Interestingly, Mercedes-Benz has also confirmed plans to integrate B48 engines into future models, demonstrating the unit’s flexibility across both transverse and longitudinal layouts and its compliance with upcoming Euro 7 emissions standards.
Pricing for the 2026 lineup starts at $42,800 for the BMW X1 xDrive28i and $44,300 for the BMW X2 xDrive28i, while the more powerful M Performance variants begin at $51,900 and $53,400, respectively. On the MINI side, the base Cooper 2-Door currently starts at $29,500, with the Cooper 4-Door priced at $30,500 and the Cooper Convertible beginning at $34,600 before destination and options.
While the recall itself is precautionary, BMW emphasizes that all inspections and replacements will be performed free of charge, ensuring customer confidence as new models reach the market.