[misofly]

Just wondering if anyone else noticed this cover behind the rear mirror is hot to the touch? Is it normal?

[thestimp]

Originally Posted by misofly

Just wondering if anyone else noticed this cover behind the rear mirror is hot to the touch? Is it normal?

normal, gets all the sun, and its black plastic with electronics.

[JustinP]

The KAFAS camera that sits behind this cover gets very hot, I discussed this with my dealer who advised it contains a small heater to prevent condensation forming on the lens.

[freshxdough]

The KAFAS camera does get extremely hot just as the user above me stated. Literally too hot to hold. But it is normal. It's a stereo camera control unit with its own processing and everything.

[pyo]

Would the extreme heat cause this???

[blkcow]

Originally Posted by pyo

Would the extreme heat cause this???

I’m guessing you’re also getting issues with driver assistant features? I’m taking my car to the dealership today because of this. I think the high heat is melting some plastic piece and causing it to fall in the pocket it’s in

[pyo]

Originally Posted by blkcow

I’m guessing you’re also getting issues with driver assistant features? I’m taking my car to the dealership today because of this. I think the high heat is melting some plastic piece and causing it to fall in the pocket it’s in

Yup, I just dropped it off at the dealership this morning.
Mine is build date 2021-09-03

[PabstBleuRibbon]

Originally Posted by pyo

Yup, I just dropped it off at the dealership this morning.
Mine is build date 2021-09-03

100% identical to what happened to mine! (2022 X3MC)

They will replace the ENTIRE windshield, BMW doesn't have a separate part number for the KAFAS camera/mount. Not great engineering there.

[Lee_Tr]

Originally Posted by blkcow

I’m guessing you’re also getting issues with driver assistant features? I’m taking my car to the dealership today because of this. I think the high heat is melting some plastic piece and causing it to fall in the pocket it’s in

So plastic parts falling off?

[JustinP]

My KAFAS camera rattled from almost new, 2 trips to the dealer failed resolve the rattle so I investigated it myself. I spotted the lower mounts were damaged so I squashed in some butyl to stop it rattling. A few weeks later the the mount deteriorated further and the camera moved, so I sent it back into the dealership for a warranty repair.

They spotted the butyl and came to the conclusion that it had been damaged by a person and won’t cover it under the warranty.

This thread is evidence the problem is more widespread in LCI vehicles which I believe have a new heated KAFAS camera, perhaps the heat from the camera is weakening the mounting bracket/shield.

My dealer is trying to source a replacement mount without me forking out for a new windscreen. The mount clips on to windscreen and so is an easy change if it can be sourced.

[pyo]

Originally Posted by PabstBleuRibbon

100% identical to what happened to mine! (2022 X3MC)

They will replace the ENTIRE windshield, BMW doesn't have a separate part number for the KAFAS camera/mount. Not great engineering there.

...

Wonder if they "improved" the design at all. What's to prevent it from happening again? I don't have the luxury of covered parking; my X3MC sits outside 24/7...

[blkcow]

Originally Posted by JustinP

My KAFAS camera rattled from almost new, 2 trips to the dealer failed resolve the rattle so I investigated it myself. I spotted the lower mounts were damaged so I squashed in some butyl to stop it rattling. A few weeks later the the mount deteriorated further and the camera moved, so I sent it back into the dealership for a warranty repair.

They spotted the butyl and came to the conclusion that it had been damaged by a person and won’t cover it under the warranty.

This thread is evidence the problem is more widespread in LCI vehicles which I believe have a new heated KAFAS camera, perhaps the heat from the camera is weakening the mounting bracket/shield.

My dealer is trying to source a replacement mount without me forking out for a new windscreen. The mount clips on to windscreen and so is an easy change if it can be sourced.

Just got off the phone with my service advisor and BMW won't cover it under warranty. I had clipped something to the plastic piece surrounding it and they are claiming that caused the break rather than it failing on its own due to heat. Looks like I'll have to find a solution on my own then

[PabstBleuRibbon]

Originally Posted by blkcow

Just got off the phone with my service advisor and BMW won't cover it under warranty. I had clipped something to the plastic piece surrounding it and they are claiming that caused the break rather than it failing on its own due to heat. Looks like I'll have to find a solution on my own then

That sucks, try pointing them to this thread maybe and point out that it's happening across multiple LCI cars. Mine failed in under 2k miles.

[Berzerker]

Originally Posted by blkcow

Just got off the phone with my service advisor and BMW won't cover it under warranty. I had clipped something to the plastic piece surrounding it and they are claiming that caused the break rather than it failing on its own due to heat. Looks like I'll have to find a solution on my own then

That sounds pretty garbage to me. They need to *prove* it was your fault for them not to cover it under warranty, I would fight that.

[pyo]

Originally Posted by PabstBleuRibbon

100% identical to what happened to mine! (2022 X3MC)

They will replace the ENTIRE windshield, BMW doesn't have a separate part number for the KAFAS camera/mount. Not great engineering there.

Just got off the phone with my SA. As you stated, they are replacing the ENTIRE windshield. I am apparently the 2nd person in my area this has happened too.

[blkcow]

Update:

I went to a different dealership and they covered a full windshield replacement under warranty. I believe they had one or two other vehicles with a similar failure so it seems like it might be more of a widespread issue than initially thought.

A big thanks to BMW of Murrieta for being such a great help!

[jeepin29]

I am having issues with my X3M that i picked up from the factory on 8/4. Less than a week after pickup I had "Reduced driver assistance" error messages and am hoping it's an easy fix like swapping the windshield.

[Mike02z]

Originally Posted by blkcow

Update:

I went to a different dealership and they covered a full windshield replacement under warranty. I believe they had one or two other vehicles with a similar failure so it seems like it might be more of a widespread issue than initially thought.

A big thanks to BMW of Murrieta for being such a great help!

Don’t ever return to the first dealer. I’d also trash them in a review. The fact that the second dealer addressed within warranty means BMW did not reject it, the dealer did!

[PabstBleuRibbon]

Originally Posted by jeepin29

I am having issues with my X3M that i picked up from the factory on 8/4. Less than a week after pickup I had "Reduced driver assistance" error messages and am hoping it's an easy fix like swapping the windshield.

Yep just look at the camera through the windshield, like in one of the above photos. You'll see the camera out of its mount or otherwise crooked, thats what causes those errors.

[jeepin29]

Originally Posted by PabstBleuRibbon

Yep just look at the camera through the windshield, like in one of the above photos. You'll see the camera out of its mount or otherwise crooked, thats what causes those errors.

Mine ended up being a sensor that needed to be recalibrated. Hopefully it won't pop up again.

[JustinP]

Another thread related to the weak KAFAS camera mount

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1949557

[JDS]

A recall waiting to happen then...