2025 BMW X3, 2 Series Ambient Lighting Malfunction TSB

BMW has released Service Information Bulletin SIB 63 09 25 (Revision 2, dated March 18, 2026) to address an issue where the interior ambient lighting may malfunction in certain 2025 BMW X3 and 2 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. This bulletin supersedes the previous SI B63 09 25 dated December 2025. The repair is classified as both mobile-friendly and remote software upgrade (RSU) friendly.

This technical service bulletin specifically applies to 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (F74) models equipped with option codes 43U (Illuminated Aluminum Graphite Trim) or 43Z (M Illuminated Aluminum Hexacube Matte Trim), and 2025 BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle (G45) models with option code 4UR (Ambient Lighting).

Symptoms

Owners may notice that some of the interior ambient lighting strips no longer function properly after the vehicle has been programmed via ISTA/RSU to software version 25-07-5xx or higher. This indicates a BMW ambient lighting malfunction.

Fault Codes / DTCs

Technicians may find several possible fault code entries related to this issue. These codes all indicate an "Interior lights layering (IL-LIN_3): versioning incorrect" condition, specifying different LIN slave modules:

For F74 (2 Series Gran Coupe):

• 804A38: LIN slave 5
• 804A39: LIN slave 6
• 804A3E: LIN slave 11

For G45 (X3 Sports Activity Vehicle):

• 804A34: LIN slave 1
• 804A35: LIN slave 2
• 804A36: LIN slave 3
• 804A37: LIN slave 4
• 804A38: LIN slave 5
• 804A3A: LIN slave 7
• 804A47: LIN slave 8
• 804A48: LIN slave 9

It is important to note that these fault codes may or may not be present when diagnosing the issue.

Cause

The root cause of the ambient lighting malfunction is identified as unfavorable logic within the LED control unit hub. This software-related issue prevents the lighting strips from operating correctly after certain programming updates.

Repair Procedure Summary

The correction for this BMW ambient lighting malfunction involves following a test plan to properly encode the LED control unit hub. The procedure outlined in SIB 63 09 25 is as follows:

1. Determine I-level: First, the vehicle's current I-level must be determined using either AIR or the Key Reader/AWP (Aftersales Workplace) applications.
2. I-level Check:
   • If the I-level is 26-03-530 or higher, standard diagnostic procedures should be followed.
   • If the I-level is lower than 26-03-530, the vehicle needs to be programmed.
3. Programming: Program the vehicle to I-level 26-03-530 or higher using ISTA 4.58.2x (released on March 3, 2026) or a newer version. The programming steps include:
   • Connecting a battery charger to the vehicle.
   • Connecting the programming system (ISTA 4) to the vehicle.
   • Determining the necessary measures plan.
   • Accepting and fully working through the measures plan for all control units requiring programming/encoding.
   • Following any rework lists.
   • Performing a vehicle test and deleting any fault memory if required, depending on the rework list.
4. Verification: After programming is complete, verify that all individual ambient lighting elements are working and displaying properly.

Important Warnings

• Battery Charger: Always connect a BMW-approved battery charger/power supply during programming. Refer to SI B04 23 10 for more information on this requirement.
• Automatic Reprogramming: ISTA will automatically reprogram and code all programmable control modules that do not have the latest software during this process.

Required Tools or Parts

No new parts are required to perform this repair. The solution is entirely software-based, requiring the use of the ISTA diagnostic and programming system.

Claim Information

For warranty claims related to this issue, the repair code is 6331251500, described as "Light module/LED module, multicoloured interior ambient lighting Permanent malfunction." Applicable labor operations include 00 00 006 (carrying out vehicle test - main work), 00 00 556 (carrying out vehicle test - plusposition), 61 21 528 (supporting voltage of the vehicle electrical system), and 61 00 730 (program/encode control unit(s), includes deleting the fault memory).

NHTSA ID: 11030309