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52 09 20_HEAD RESTRAINT AND/OR BACKREST OF 3RD ROW SEATS CANNOT BE FOLDED DOWN

SIB 52 09 20
2023-11-22
HEAD RESTRAINT AND/OR BACKREST OF 3RD ROW SEATS CANNOT
BE FOLDED DOWN
This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 8) replaces SI B52 09 20 dated November 2023.
What’s New:
Two areas of the third-row seat backrest that may cause a noise concern have been added
Parts, and Claim Information sections updated
Model codes added for new models (TIS filtering)
☐

THIS REPAIR IS MOBILE FRIENDLY

MODEL
E-Series
G07

Model Description
X7 Sports Activity Vehicle

SITUATION
Various concerns about the third row of seats:
1. Head restraint (aka headrest), on one or both sides, cannot be folded down.
2. Third-row seating, on one or both sides, cannot be folded down.
3. Noise from third-row seat backrest when the vehicle goes over bumps.

CAUSE
1. Head restraint (aka headrest), on one or both sides, cannot be folded down:
- Head restraint mechanism is faulty.
- Bowden cable is not routed correctly, or not mounted.
- Bowden cable mechanism (when cable is under tension it is too short)
- Electric motor not fully pulling on common housing that moves the 3 Bowden cables.
- Seat initialization required.
2. Third-row seating, on one or both sides, cannot be folded down:
- Drivetrain for backrest release (actuator) is faulty or internally damaged.
- Drivetrain for backrest tilt adjustment is faulty.
- Bowden cable not correctly mounted.
- Seat initialization required.
3. Noise from third-row seat backrest when the vehicle goes over bumps.
- Bowden cable contacts metal seat backrest
- Headrest mount moves (weld penetration)

CORRECTION
Depending on the problem found, one or more of the following corrections will be required:
1. Perform seat initialization.
2. Replace the head restraint mechanism.
3. Replace the Bowden cable.
4. Re-route the Bowden cable.
5. Replace the drivetrain for backrest release (actuator).

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52 09 20_HEAD RESTRAINT AND/OR BACKREST OF 3RD ROW SEATS CANNOT BE FOLDED DOWN

6. Replace the drivetrain for backrest tilt adjustment.
7. Route the electrical wiring for the seat cable motor behind the Bowden cables.
8. Replace the seat frame assembly.

PROCEDURE
These networked seats are described in detail in Service Bulletin B52 23 19. In that service bulletin all
relevant seat bulletins are listed.
Program the vehicle with ISTA to the most recent I-level.
NOTE:
1. Software improvements were released August 2019 which changed certain seat operations on early
production vehicles. For a detailed list of the changes see Service Bulletin B52 21 19.
2. All G05 / G07 produced up to August 1, 2019, can be updated to 7/2019 software as per Service
Action Service Bulletin B65 19 19.

After programming perform seat initialization.
The seat initialization procedure can be found in ISTA by choosing
SERVICE FUNCTIONS
BODY
SEATS
SEAT ADJUSTMENT STANDARDIZATION
Then select the correct ABL test plan for the relevant seat(s).
You may have to initialize all 4 seat modules.
NOTE: The third-row seat is controlled by the second-row seat module.
Then proceed as follows:
1. Head restraint cannot be folded down:
NOTE: Raising the headrest back into the
upright position must be done by pushing
up on it by hand.
Can the head restraint be manually unlocked
using the release loop beneath the headrest
(see picture) and thus folded down?

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52 09 20_HEAD RESTRAINT AND/OR BACKREST OF 3RD ROW SEATS CANNOT BE FOLDED DOWN

YES = Head restraint mechanism is faulty.
Determine root cause of Bowden cable not
moving (see steps below).
If the cable is moving fully but the headrest is
not folding, then replace the folding module of
the head restraint (#2 in picture).
See REP 52 30 118 Remove and
install/replace folding module of left or right
head restraint
NOTE: The head restraint cannot be removed
without destroying the covering material. A
new cover (leather) will be required to
perform this repair.
NO = Check if the Bowden cable is correctly
mounted and properly routed.
If the Bowden cable is mounted properly and
cable correctly routed and the electric motor
moving the common housing pulls all 3
Bowden cables equally but the headrest
Bowden cable does not travel far
enough, replace the Bowden cable for the
headrest (shown in yellow in picture).
See REP 52 30 253 Replace Bowden cable
for left or right head restraint (Bowden cable
unlocking device for head restraint).

Cable routing UP TO February 2023
shown.
NOTE: A Bowden cable routing change was
made in the third seat row backrest. This
change was implemented starting in February
2023 production.
Replacement parts are all the new shortened
design cable and require a new routing to
install in vehicles produced prior to February
2023.
See Service Bulletin B52 14 23

Cable routing FROM February 2023 shown.

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52 09 20_HEAD RESTRAINT AND/OR BACKREST OF 3RD ROW SEATS CANNOT BE FOLDED DOWN

2. Third-row seating cannot be folded down:
Check if the latch (the fastener on the left or
right side) of the third row of seats is open or
closed? (this is the hook/pin shown in green in
picture)
As a quick check for this, proceed as follows:
Fold the rear seat backrest of the third row of
seats including the head restraint into seating
position. This must be done using the
button(s) via motorized controls and
cannot be moved manually by hand or this
will cause damage to the motor for
backrest movement.
If the head restraint stays in the seat position,
the latch is closed.
If the head restraint falls into the folded
position again, the latch is open.
YES (Latch is open) = Replace
drivetrain of backrest tilt adjustment.
See REP 67 31 635 Remove and
install/replace drivetrain for backrest tilt
adjustment of third-row seating (left or
right) (according to vehicle diagnosis)
NOTE: If the seat was moved
manually with excessive force, it
may cause damage to the internal
gear of this actuator. The motor may
spin but the seat backrest may not
move. In this case replacement of
the drivetrain for backrest tilt
adjustment is needed and the seat
frame would not need replacement.
There may be noise from the motor

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if it is internally damaged. To check
the gear mechanism, the motor can
be removed for inspection.

NO (Latch is closed) = Check if the drivetrain
for backrest release adjustment is broken?
NOTE: The 3 Bowden cables are housed in a
common housing that moves along a worm
gear assembly.
When the electric motor activates, it spins the
worm gear to pull up on the housing so that all
3 cables move simultaneously.
One of the cables controls the head restraint
folding. Once pulled, the headrest will release
and pivot downwards. Raising the headrest
back into the upright position must be
done by pushing up on it by hand.
(The other two cables control the latch
release at the seat pivot to enable the seat to
fold.)
For more details see either video:
B52 01 19 - G05/G07 Seat
Troubleshooting 6 Passenger
B52 02 19 - G05/G07 Seat
Troubleshooting 7 Passenger
Is the drivetrain for the backrest release
(actuator) broken?
YES = Replace only the drivetrain for backrest
release (actuator).
See REP 67 31 645 Remove and
install/replace drivetrain for backrest release
of third-row seating (left or right) (according to
vehicle diagnosis)
NO = Replace BOTH the Bowden cable(s)
and drivetrain for backrest release (actuator).
See appropriate repair instruction:
REP 52 30 256 Replace Bowden cable for left
or right rear seat backrest
(Bowden cable for outer backrest release)
REP 52 30 255 Replace Bowden cable for left
or right rear seat backrest
(Bowden cable for inner backrest release)
REP 67 31 645 Remove and install/replace
drivetrain for backrest release of third-row

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seating (left or right) (according to vehicle
diagnosis)
3. Noise from third-row seat backrest when vehicle
goes over bumps:

The wire harness going to the electric motor for
the Bowden cables is supposed to be routed
underneath the Bowden cables to keep the
cables from vibrating against the back metal
panel.
If necessary, unplug electrical connector, route
harness between Bowden cable and metal seat
backrest assembly. Reconnect electrical
connector.

The metal bracket that holds the headrest
assembly is welded to the seat backrest
assembly.

If any of the welds did not penetrate well this
bracket may make noise.
Replace seat frame assembly if necessary.

Then re-evaluate the vehicle.
If parts are replaced as an assembly, all original parts must be assembled to go back for parts return and
failure analysis.

PARTS INFORMATION
To determine the part number that applies to the specific vehicle being repaired, enter the VIN/chassis
number into either ETK or AIR. This will consider the specific equipment and/or options that are fitted to the
vehicle.
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52 09 20_HEAD RESTRAINT AND/OR BACKREST OF 3RD ROW SEATS CANNOT BE FOLDED DOWN

This is an overview list of parts that may be required to make these repairs. You will only need one or more
of these parts to repair the vehicle.
Part Number
52 30 7 485 444
52 20 9 473 697
52 20 9 473 695
52 20 9 473 696
52 30 5 A1E 228
52 30 5 A1E 229
52 30 7 941 595
52 30 7 941 592
52 30 9 496 669

Description
Bowden Cable Release (unlocking)
Actuator folding backrest
Drive backrest folding left
Drive backrest folding right
Bowden cable actuator inboard
Bowden cable actuator outboard
Headrest leather rear (schwarz)
Headrest leather rear (Beige)
Folding module head restraint

Quantity
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1

CLAIM INFORMATION
This Service Information Bulletin provides technical, diagnostic and/or repair-related information.
Damage and/or issues caused by outside influences are not covered under the BMW limited warranties.
Eligible and Covered Work/Repairs
When used to repair a verified defect in materials or workmanship, the applicable repair procedure
information that is provided in this bulletin is covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited
Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks.
To submit a claim, please following the established and applicable warranty policy and procedures
(Labor/Part/Sublet – bulk materials/qualifying third-party repairs) that apply to the repair being performed.
Refer to AIR for the claim-related line item’s Repair Code. For the corresponding repair that was performed, obtain
the corresponding labor operation codes and their flat rate unit (FRU) allowance(s), including the diagnosis* that
applies.

Only one Main labor operation code can be claimed per repair visit.
BMW Group’s AIR Application Resource for Flat Rate Labor Operation Codes
To obtain the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowance information from the BMW Group AIR application
resource, start by entering the Chassis Number (the last seven (7) characters of the VIN, select the
applicable Model if two or more vehicle choices show), or enter the full VIN (17 characters), click on the
“Search” button. Next, click on the “Flat Rate Units” button and enter the flat rate labor operation code in the
field to the right, click “Search” to display the Flat Rate Unit Group detail choices.
(*) Based on which one applies to your center, please refer to SI B01 01 20 or B01 07 20 for the applicable
procedure for documenting, claiming, and explaining, on the RO and in the claim comments, your diagnosis
work time (WT), job/repair work time (WT), and the vehicle repairs your center performed, unless otherwise
required by State law.

FEEDBACK REGARDING THIS BULLETIN
Technical Feedback
Warranty Feedback
Parts Feedback
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To submit feedback for the technical topic of this bulletin: Submit your
feedback in the rating box at the top of this bulletin
To submit feedback for the CLAIMS section of this bulletin: Submit an IDS
ticket to the Warranty Department, or use the chat available in the
Warranty Documentation Portal
To submit feedback for the PARTS section of this bulletin: Submit an IDS
ticket Copyright
to the Parts©2023
Department
BMW of North America, Inc.
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52 09 20_HEAD RESTRAINT AND/OR BACKREST OF 3RD ROW SEATS CANNOT BE FOLDED DOWN

Supporting Materials
Videos
52 01 19
52 02 19

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