2024-2026 BMW X5/X7 Rear Seat Stuck When Folded

Owners of certain 2024-2026 BMW X5 and X7 models may encounter an issue where the second-row seat backrest becomes stuck in the folded-down position. This prevents the seat from returning to its upright position, as it fails to respond to commands from the seat switch buttons. This problem is detailed in BMW Service Information Bulletin SIB 52 01 26.

This bulletin applies to the following vehicles:

Symptoms

The primary symptom of this issue is when one or both of the second-row 60/40 split seats are in the folded position and the seat does not respond to any requests from the second seat row seat switch button(s). This means the seat remains stuck and cannot be adjusted electronically.

Causes

BMW has identified several conditions that can lead to the second-row seat becoming stuck:

• Manual Pressure During Entry: Pressure was manually applied to the rear seat backrest while it was folded down, often during comfort entry (easy entry) to the third-row seating area.
• Existing Pressure: The rear seat backrest was already folded down, and additional pressure was applied to it.
• Actuated Release Cable: One of the second-row manual release cables was actuated, causing the seat to be in an intermediate, in-between position.

Important Warnings for Owners

Owners should be aware of specific advisories regarding this repair:

• No Seat Removal Required: BMW explicitly states, "The seat does not need to be removed from the vehicle to perform this repair." This can help prevent unnecessary labor or costs.
• Potential Fault Codes: Technicians may find seat module-specific faults stored, such as "No seat adjustment because of engine start conditions." These are related to the issue but do not necessarily indicate a separate component failure.

Repair Procedure Summary

Addressing a BMW X5 rear seat stuck or X7 rear seat stuck issue involves a diagnostic and initialization process. The repair procedure outlined in SIB 52 01 26 is as follows:

1. Perform Seat Initialization: The first step is to attempt a seat initialization. If this resolves the issue, the vehicle can be returned to the customer.
2. Check Microswitch Status: If initialization fails, technicians will use the ISTA diagnosis system to read the status of the second-row microswitch. This involves navigating through the diagnosis system to check the microswitch status for the driver's side/passenger's side rear seat adjustment buttons and switches.
3. Engage Microswitch: If the microswitch is found to be open, the technician must press the folded rear seat backrest down with force until it correctly engages. This action also engages the microswitch, signaling to the vehicle's electronics that the seat is in the folded position.
4. Reassess Electrical Adjustment: After the microswitch is engaged, the electrical adjustment function of the seat is checked again to ensure it is working correctly.

BMW also references Video BV520126, titled "Reset second seat row manual release G07," which provides visual guidance for this procedure. Further details on networked seats and initialization can be found in Service Bulletin B52 23 19.

Required Tools or Parts

BMW Service Information Bulletin SIB 52 01 26 explicitly states that "No parts are required for this repair." The solution primarily involves diagnostic steps and a physical reset of the seat mechanism.

Warranty Information

This repair for a BMW X5 rear seat stuck or X7 rear seat stuck is covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks. The specific repair code for this issue is 5220156500, labeled as "Backrest lock / rear seat adjustment / cargo adjuster/ rear seat backrest lock Does not lock into position."

Source: NHTSA ID: 11030063