2022-2025 BMW X1/X2 "Emergency Gearbox Release Activated" TSB

BMW has issued Service Information Bulletin SIB 28 01 23 (Revision 1), which supersedes the previous SI B28 01 23 dated August 2023. This bulletin addresses a specific check control message that owners of certain 2022-2025 BMW X1 and X2 models may encounter. The SIB details the causes and the necessary repair procedure for the "Emergency gearbox release activated" message.

This bulletin specifically applies to U10 (X2 Sports Activity Coupe) and U11 (X1 Sports Activity Vehicle) models that are equipped with the 7-speed M-DCT transmission.

Symptoms

Owners will observe check control message (790) "Emergency gearbox release activated" displayed in the instrument cluster immediately after starting the engine. This indicates an unexpected activation of the emergency gearbox release function.

Causes of the "Emergency Gearbox Release Activated" Message

BMW has identified two primary scenarios that can lead to the "Emergency gearbox release activated" message:

1. Gear Selector Interaction During Start-Up: After pressing the START-STOP button, the vehicle enters an "Establish drive-ready state" for approximately 1.5 seconds to start the engine. If the gear selector switch is moved towards R (reverse) too slowly during this brief period, the system may first register an N (neutral) signal before the R (reverse) signal. If this N signal coincides with the "Establish drive-ready state," the electronic transmission control software incorrectly sets the "Emergency gearbox release activated" message.
2. Accidental Emergency Release: The message can also be triggered by customers accidentally activating the emergency release function. This function is described in the vehicle's owner's manual.

Repair Procedure Summary

Addressing the "Emergency gearbox release activated" message primarily involves a software update and, if necessary, diagnostic testing. The procedure outlined in SIB 28 01 23 is as follows:

First, technicians must determine the vehicle's current I-level using either the AIR application or the Key Reader/Aftersales Workplace (AWP) application. This step is crucial for identifying if a software update is required.

• If any faults are stored for the transmission and/or gear selector switch, and the vehicle's I-level is 24-07-500 or higher, technicians should work through the appropriate test plans to diagnose and resolve these faults.
• If no faults are stored, but the current I-level of the car is lower than 24-07-500, the vehicle must be programmed and encoded to I-level 24-07-500 or a more recent version. This programming must be performed using ISTA 4.48.2x or higher, which was released in November 2024.

It is important to note that ISTA will automatically reprogram and code all programmable control modules that do not have the latest software during this process. This ensures all relevant systems are updated to the required specification to prevent the BMW X1 emergency gearbox release message from recurring.

Important Owner Information

Owners should be aware that the emergency gearbox release function is a standard feature described in their vehicle's owner's manual. The SIB 28 01 23 instructs technicians to inform and explain this function to customers. For specific details, owners can refer to the "Reference Section (Everything from A to Z)" in the back of their owner's manual under the topic "Transmission lock, electronic unlocking." For the BMW X1 (U11), this information can be found on page 126 of the owner's manual (Part no. 01405B641F9). For the BMW X2 (U10), it's on page 123 (Part no. 01405B64178).

Claim Information and Warranty

For dealers, the programming and encoding procedure can only be invoiced once. If multiple programming and encoding Technical Campaign repairs are open during a workshop visit, one should be selected to update the vehicle to the required I-level. Any additional before and/or after work, such as attaching labels, must also be performed as required by other open campaigns.

The BMW software solution described in SIB 28 01 23 is covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks, or the BMW Certified Pre-Owned Program, provided other conditions do not apply.

The specific Repair Code for this issue is 2800029800, labeled as "Display of electronic gearbox module in instrument cluster/fault display, double clutch gearbox DKG not satisfactory." Flat rate unit (FRU) allowances are provided for various labor operations:

• 00 00 006: Carrying out vehicle test (Main work)
• 00 00 556: Carrying out vehicle test (Plusposition work)
• 61 21 528: Supporting voltage of the vehicle electrical system / recharging vehicle battery
• 61 00 006:* Carrying out vehicle diagnosis, ABL (Work time)
• 00 58 500:* Diagnosis Worktime Flat Rate (2 FRU)
• 61 00 730: Program/encode control unit(s), includes deleting the fault memory

If a Main labor code is used for another repair, technicians should use the Plus code labor operation 00 00 556 instead of 00 00 006, or exclude them (including 61 21 528) if the Vehicle Test is part of another repair. Technicians are advised to refer to SI B01 01 20 or B01 07 20 for procedures on documenting, claiming, and explaining diagnosis work time if applicable. This ensures proper reimbursement for addressing the BMW X1 emergency gearbox release issue.

Vehicle Programming and Encoding – Additional Work

This procedure automatically reprograms and encodes any vehicle control modules that do not have the latest software I-level. If one or more control modules fail during the reprogramming procedure, technicians must claim the required consequential repair work procedures to address this issue. This includes performing the IRAP Control Unit Recovery first, as required, under the Repair Code in this bulletin. All additional work procedures performed, including the diagnosis, must be explained in detail on the repair order and in the claim comments.

Other Repairs

If other eligible and covered work is performed as a result of performing ISTA diagnostics, related test plans, and/or other approved diagnosis procedures, this work should be claimed with the applicable Repair Code listed in AIR, along with corresponding labor operation codes and their flat rate unit allowances.

Finding Flat Rate Unit Allowances

To obtain the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowance information, technicians can use the BMW Group AIR application resource. This involves entering the last seven characters of the VIN, clicking "Search," selecting the applicable Model if multiple choices appear, or entering the full 17-character VIN. Then, click the "Flat Rate Units" button and enter the labor operation code number (without spaces) to display the corresponding listing of "Flat rate unit group details" and their FRU allowances.

Feedback Regarding This Bulletin

BMW encourages technicians to provide feedback on this bulletin:

• Technical Feedback: Submit feedback in the rating box at the top of the bulletin.
• Warranty Feedback: Submit an IDS ticket to the Warranty Department or use the chat in the Warranty Documentation Portal.
• Parts Feedback: Submit an IDS ticket to the Parts Department.

NHTSA ID: 11015855