BMW X5 2007–2014 — technical service bulletin
Bulletin 511213 · NHTSA communication 10150223 · issued Aug 1, 2013
Technical service bulletin
communication type
Visibility
component
2007–2014
model years
20
vehicle entries
Official summary
Grating Noise from Side Window Defroster Vent. The customer may notice a grating or creaking noise coming from the instrument panel at the extreme left or right side. It is only heard when the vehicle is in motion. CAUSE The side window defroster vent fitment (in the instrument panel) causes a grating noise when driving, and torsional forces are applied. The driver's or passenger's side can both be affected.
Vehicles covered
What a TSB means. Technical service bulletins are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls, and repairs are not automatically free (warranty extensions are an exception worth checking). The full document is available via NHTSA’s vehicle lookup.