Clicking sound backrest area of drivers seat

Ricarr · 06-18-2019, 07:16 PM

Having an issue with a clicking sound as you "lean into" the backrest area of the drivers seat in my new 2019 X3. Having a hard time isolating where it is coming from maybe the drivers right side of the backrest...maybe down where it meets the seating area. Not electrical, like straining something with the weight against the seat back, turning corners etc. Any ideas? Maybe a spring or something? Very annoying in a new 45k car.

Henrie · 06-22-2019, 12:34 AM

I have a similar problem. Its like the seat shifts by 1/2 inch when going over bumps specifically. I have electric seats, never have I had a BMW where the seats move even a millimetre.

youngdoc1 · 12-20-2020, 05:20 PM

Any solution to this?

FLM40i · 12-20-2020, 05:50 PM

I have the same sound on my 2020. When you lean back against the seat it’s like a ratchet sound. Dealer would have to take off leather to get to it they said. I don’t trust the dealer to handle this properly. At least this particular dealer.

eraxy · 12-21-2020, 04:52 PM

I had a similar issue. There are some welding bolts in the seat frame which cannot be repaired (screws can). These bolts had a little play, forcing the seat to move back 3-5 mm when accelerating from a stop.

The entire seat frame must be exchanged. But, the bad thing is, all parts of the seats will be remove from the defective seat frame and attached to the new one...

Jen4BMW · 12-21-2020, 05:53 PM

This is a pretty well documented problem. It’s the actual seat frame that squeaks and it cab be replaced under warranty. Had mine swapped out. Problem solved.

Alex C. · 12-21-2020, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen4BMW

This is a pretty well documented problem. It’s the actual seat frame that squeaks and it cab be replaced under warranty. Had mine swapped out. Problem solved.

Mine squeaks too but only when going around a turn or leaning occasionally. How would I go about bringing it up for warranty?

Jen4BMW · 12-22-2020, 08:54 PM

To get warranty coverage I just sat in my quiet garage, shifted my weight around and used my phone to record the squeaking noise coming from the drivers seat. I sent the recording to my SA and the process for replacement was started. Everything was replaced no issues.

FLM40i · 12-23-2020, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen4BMW

To get warranty coverage I just sat in my quiet garage, shifted my weight around and used my phone to record the squeaking noise coming from the drivers seat. I sent the recording to my SA and the process for replacement was started. Everything was replaced no issues.

All looked good after the repair? Leather and all looked like it did from the factory. My SA didn’t recommend doing it as I felt she didn’t trust the techs. I would have to go to another shop.

eraxy · 01-05-2021, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLM40i

All looked good after the repair? Leather and all looked like it did from the factory. My SA didn’t recommend doing it as I felt she didn’t trust the techs. I would have to go to another shop.

My exchange worked good for the seat itself. Movement has gone.

However, there is one scratch in the B pillar, one on the seat side cover. Doing something in the shop is always a risk and definately must be thought about twice - the workers there are not handling and taking care of the car you would do it... But, in the end, I better have one small scratch than a moving seat.

youngdoc1 · 01-25-2021, 05:00 PM

Brought it in a couple of weeks ago... they made some adjustments but pretty much no change. Sounds like a “clicking” when accelerating or slowing down when the seat shifts backwards or forwards... very inconsistent. Is there a TSB or something I could bring to them?
I’m not really able to reproduce it reliably.

06-18-2019, 07:16 PM	#1
Ricarr Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Orange County CA iTrader: (0)	Clicking sound backrest area of drivers seat Having an issue with a clicking sound as you "lean into" the backrest area of the drivers seat in my new 2019 X3. Having a hard time isolating where it is coming from maybe the drivers right side of the backrest...maybe down where it meets the seating area. Not electrical, like straining something with the weight against the seat back, turning corners etc. Any ideas? Maybe a spring or something? Very annoying in a new 45k car.
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06-22-2019, 12:34 AM	#2
Henrie Enlisted Member 10 Rep 38 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40i (G01) Join Date: May 2019 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	I have a similar problem. Its like the seat shifts by 1/2 inch when going over bumps specifically. I have electric seats, never have I had a BMW where the seats move even a millimetre.
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12-20-2020, 05:20 PM	#3
youngdoc1 Private First Class 34 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 2019 X4 M40i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (0)	Any solution to this?
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12-20-2020, 05:50 PM	#4
FLM40i New Member 5 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2020 X4 M40i Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: St. Petersburg iTrader: (1)	I have the same sound on my 2020. When you lean back against the seat it’s like a ratchet sound. Dealer would have to take off leather to get to it they said. I don’t trust the dealer to handle this properly. At least this particular dealer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-21-2020, 04:52 PM	#5
eraxy Private 12 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 3 Join Date: Oct 2017 iTrader: (0)	I had a similar issue. There are some welding bolts in the seat frame which cannot be repaired (screws can). These bolts had a little play, forcing the seat to move back 3-5 mm when accelerating from a stop. The entire seat frame must be exchanged. But, the bad thing is, all parts of the seats will be remove from the defective seat frame and attached to the new one...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-21-2020, 05:53 PM	#6
Jen4BMW Captain 773 Rep 615 Posts Drives: BMW 2022 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: MN iTrader: (0)	This is a pretty well documented problem. It’s the actual seat frame that squeaks and it cab be replaced under warranty. Had mine swapped out. Problem solved.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-22-2020, 08:54 PM	#8
Jen4BMW Captain 773 Rep 615 Posts Drives: BMW 2022 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: MN iTrader: (0)	To get warranty coverage I just sat in my quiet garage, shifted my weight around and used my phone to record the squeaking noise coming from the drivers seat. I sent the recording to my SA and the process for replacement was started. Everything was replaced no issues.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-25-2021, 05:00 PM	#11
youngdoc1 Private First Class 34 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 2019 X4 M40i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (0)	Brought it in a couple of weeks ago... they made some adjustments but pretty much no change. Sounds like a “clicking” when accelerating or slowing down when the seat shifts backwards or forwards... very inconsistent. Is there a TSB or something I could bring to them? I’m not really able to reproduce it reliably.
	Appreciate 0 Quote