NHTSA campaign 21V156000
BMW Recall 21V-156: Head Restraints Incorrect
NHTSA recall 21V156000 was reported by BMW of North America, LLC on March 10, 2021, with 258 vehicles potentially affected (per NHTSA). NHTSA's record lists the BMW X5, BMW X5 Hybrid, BMW X7 and more for the 2021 model year. Owners were notified on May 3, 2021, per NHTSA.
Updated daily from NHTSA's recall files
Is my vehicle included?
This page lists, by model year, the vehicles NHTSA's recall record names for campaign 21V156000 in the model years try.vin imports (1995 and later); NHTSA's own record can list more. A model year on the list doesn't mean every vehicle of that year is included, and some may already have been repaired.
To see whether a specific vehicle is included and still needs the repair, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
BMW VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Key facts
- NHTSA campaign
- 21V156000 (also written 21V-156 or 21V156)
- Filed by
- BMW of North America, LLC
- Report received
- Potentially affected
- 258 vehicles (per NHTSA)
- Component
- Seats — Mid/Rear Assembly — Head Restraint
- Owners notified
Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
NHTSA cautions against comparing completion rates across recalls or manufacturers. How try.vin reads them.
Vehicles listed for this recall
NHTSA's recall record lists these vehicles for recall 21V156000. try.vin imports model years 1995 and later, so NHTSA's own list can be longer. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to it. Build dates are NHTSA's range for a model year (per NHTSA); a vehicle built in that range is not necessarily included.
BMW
All BMW recallsNHTSA's recall notice
As NHTSA's recall record states it for campaign 21V156000.
Defect description
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5 xDrive45e, 2021 X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i, and XB7 vehicles. The head restraints on the second-row outer seats may be the incorrect type for the vehicle.
Safety consequence
In the event of a crash, the head restraints could detach, and increase the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Sources
Official NHTSA notice for recall 21V156000
Campaign details come from NHTSA's recall files, which try.vin imports once a day. The plain-language subject and the completion rate come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Recalls Data dataset. How try.vin reads recall data.