BMW is recalling about 14,000 2020 and 2021 M235i Gran Coupe models to fix a sunroof problem.
The sunroofs aren’t defective. They work exactly as designed. But BMW has discovered that the automatic closure violates a federal safety regulation.
The issue is slightly complicated. If the driver begins to close the sunroof, then turns the car off, the sunroof on these cars continues to close. Federal regulations require that windows and sunroofs close only “when the key that controls activation of the vehicle’s engine is in the ‘on,’ ‘start’ or ‘accessory’ position.” This is meant to protect anyone who might have a hand or finger partially outside a closing window.
To further complicate the matter, the BMW sunroofs in question may be perfectly safe. There’s an anti-pinch technology that reverses them if they hit even minor resistance. In the affected cars, it still functions even when the key is off. So, in theory, the problem the regulation is designed to prevent is still prevented in the 2-Series…just not in the way the rules say it should be prevented.
BMW is aware of no injuries due to the problem.
BMW dealers will fix the issue with a free software update. Many cars are recalled at some point in their life cycle, and though automakers make every attempt to contact owners, sometimes those attempts fail. Check whether your call has been subject to any repair orders at our recall center.
