2022-2024 BMW iX Uncomfortable Headrest SIB 52 08 22

BMW has issued Service Information Bulletin (SIB) 52 08 22 (Revision 1) to address a common concern among owners of certain 2022-2024 BMW iX vehicles: an uncomfortable front seat headrest. This bulletin, which supersedes the previous SI B52 08 22 dated November 2022, provides a solution for the BMW iX uncomfortable headrest by installing a special cushion insert.

Symptoms

Owners may notice that the decorative hard plastic piece, located in the center of the front seat's headrest, can make contact with their head. This issue is particularly prevalent for occupants who are between 4 feet 10 inches and 5 feet 6 inches in height, leading to discomfort during driving. The bulletin refers to this as "HEADREST IS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR SOME OCCUPANTS."

Cause

The root cause of this discomfort is identified as a design element of the front seat. The original design of the headrest, specifically the placement of the hard plastic component, was found to be problematic for certain occupant heights.

Repair Procedure Summary

To resolve the BMW iX uncomfortable headrest issue, BMW offers a push-in cushion insert. This insert is specifically designed to plug the square hole located in the front seat headrest, thereby providing additional support and effectively preventing direct contact with the hard plastic component that causes discomfort. The installation process is designed to be efficient: the cushion is inserted from the front of the seat and then carefully pulled through from the rear until it securely locks into its intended position. Should the cushion ever need to be removed, the procedure involves simply pushing it out in the direction of travel. A significant advantage of this retrofit is that it can be performed without the vehicle needing to be driven into a workshop, as it is classified as 'mobile friendly'.

Required Parts

The specific part required for this correction is the 'Comfort cushion head restraint (push-in cushion Insert)' with part number 52 10 5 B33 BB0. Up to two of these inserts may be needed, depending on whether one or both front headrests require the modification.

Warranty Information

This repair, identified by Repair Code 5210173900 for "Front seat head restraint Unpleasant noises", is covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks. The labor operation for installing the headrest cushion insert is 52 00 001, which is allocated 1 FRU (Flat Rate Unit) for the job.

What Owners Should Know

BMW has confirmed that the design of the front seat headrests was updated starting with July 1, 2023, i20 vehicle production. This means that owners of BMW iX vehicles manufactured on or after this specific date should not experience the uncomfortable headrest issue described in this bulletin. For those with affected vehicles produced prior to July 1, 2023, the retrofit procedure is straightforward and convenient. It can be carried out without the need to drive the vehicle into a service center, as BMW has designated it as a 'mobile friendly' repair. This allows for greater flexibility in addressing the discomfort. Furthermore, the repair is covered under the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty, ensuring that eligible owners will not incur out-of-pocket expenses for this correction.

Source: NHTSA ID: 10244238