[micmitch]

Hey all,

I have a July 2019 X5. This message popped up a couple of days ago and hasn't gone away. I rebooted the iDrive system, but there has been no change.

I assume I'll need to take it to the dealer, but I thought I'd check here first for any suggestions.

Thanks

[spike5150]

Originally Posted by micmitch

Hey all,

I have a July 2019 X5. This message popped up a couple of days ago and hasn't gone away. I rebooted the iDrive system, but there has been no change.

I assume I'll need to take it to the dealer, but I thought I'd check here first for any suggestions.

Thanks

Mine needed a replacement Telematics module when that happened. Eventually all cellular related functions quit working.

[jambo58]

take into the dealer right away your TCM module has failed. there must have been a bad batch for the 2019 Models, this seems to be getting quite common

[Xeno]

There are previous accounts in this thread:

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...ight=emergency

[zucchini]

I have replaced my TCB module for the same issue, but my idrive system is now completely offline, any functions needed data connection is unavailale. SA told me they had done all they must to do, he asked me to contact the BMW。Does anyone have an idea what's going wrong?

[MagicG85]

Originally Posted by micmitch

Hey all,

I have a July 2019 X5. This message popped up a couple of days ago and hasn't gone away. I rebooted the iDrive system, but there has been no change.

I assume I'll need to take it to the dealer, but I thought I'd check here first for any suggestions.

Thanks

I am having the same issue! It happened after a really bad storm. The first 2 days it was just the "emergency call system malfunction" showing on my dashboard, everything else works fine. 3 days later, my navigation stop working as well as my remote engine start, weather, and news…. I am taking to the dealer this Thursday and will see what they say.

[kubax86]

Originally Posted by MagicG85

I am having the same issue! It happened after a really bad storm. The first 2 days it was just the "emergency call system malfunction" showing on my dashboard, everything else works fine. 3 days later, my navigation stop working as well as my remote engine start, weather, and news…. I am taking to the dealer this Thursday and will see what they say.

ATM module flooded for 99%

[Panache88]

I have a 2019 X5 with 39000 miles on it. My X5 is normal parked in my garage, but this week, I left it out in my driveway for 2 days. It rained for the 2 days straight my car was outside. When I went to drive it to a doctor's appointment, my car started initiating SOS calls to the contact center non-stop. I spoke to no less than 6 reps, explaining there was no emergency. I could not turn off the calls and the call center reps could not do it either. Shutting off my engine did not help. The car continued calling for help. The call center reps told me I had to take my car into a BMW service center. Fortunately, the calls had stopped by the time I came out of my doctor's appt, but now Emergency Call System Malfunction alert kept flashing.

What did BMW Service tell me?
CAUSE
Found water leaking into headliner on top of the telematics control unit
CORRECTION
Replace shark fin, antenna, telematics control unit, battery and program

Incidentally, my car just got off warranty. This is going to cost $$$.

There have apparently been more of the same bad seals and water leakage issues with other X5s and X7s. However, there's no recall. My service advisor told me there is another issue with the cup holders. Apparently water from condensation on cups seeping into the cup holders may cause warning lights to come on. There's a class action lawsuit. BMW hasn't admitted to any wrong doing, but my service advisor told me if that were to happen to my car, they would repair it for free. Great. Can't wait for that to happen. BMW Service will have my car for at least a week as they wait for parts to arrive to replace the shark fin, antenna, telematics board etc.

[M42]

This clearly an issue with many people complaining online. Not sure how many people are in real world that aren’t on this forum with same issues. 😳 I’ve been plagued with the same issues without real resolution

[Htrain81]

Had the dreaded SOS message pop up this past week. This is the second time this issue has happened.
First time was roughly a year ago. My X5 was at the dealer for routine maintenance and was parked outside. A big rain storm came through and the car wasn't in our garage as it typically is. Since it happened at the dealership, I was able to raise some hell and the dealership did end up helping us with the repair.

Forward a year later, I'm driving in the rain and here's the message again... I didn't know this forum was here last year, but very glad I've found it. This seems to be a known issue that BMW is doing all they can to avoid acknowledging the problem.

I have an appointment next Wednesday and will update what the dealer says. From everyone else's post, I'm expecting it is going to be interesting.

[gx5_027]

[QUOTE=Htrain81;30768762]Had the dreaded SOS message pop up this past week. This is the second time this issue has happened.
First time was roughly a year ago. My X5 was at the dealer for routine maintenance and was parked outside. A big rain storm came through and the car wasn't in our garage as it typically is. Since it happened at the dealership, I was able to raise some hell and the dealership did end up helping us with the repair.

Forward a year later, I'm driving in the rain and here's the message again... I didn't know this forum was here last year, but very glad I've found it. This seems to be a known issue that BMW is doing all they can to avoid acknowledging the problem.

I have an appointment next Wednesday and will update what the dealer says. From everyone else's post, I'm expecting it is going to be interesting.

Any update?

[les101ca]

When my 2019 X5 had the issue my dealer replaced the sharkfin and module. They stated they did not use the factory sealant but used windshield sealant instead for a better seal. The dealer also stated the issue is noted in my service log and if it happened again the unit would be replaced. I hope it doesn't reoccur, but I do feel comfortable that I'm financially covered if it did.

[Blueboxer]

This really seems to be becoming way too common without a recall. I have loved my BMWs over the last couple decades, but man has BMW NA been disappointing as of late.

[Andyx5]

Same just happened to me. Started with the energy call failure. Now lost the sat nav and all links with the bmw server. Car was purchased new in September 2019. I hope this is covered under the extended warranty purchased from bmw.

[Andyx5]

Should have said emergency call failure

[M42]

I just had it pop up again for the 3rd time. Dealer attempted repairs already twice.

[Bottom16]

Happened to me as well. Dealer quoted me $3600 to fix since it’s not covered under CPO warranty. What that actual “F?!” Looks like I’ll be going to an independent for a second opinion and fix.

Pretty lame that crappy design/engineering on BMW’s part and us owners have to take it up the tailpipe.

Cheers!

[Mrbyers1]

Did this permanently fix the problem?

[Mrbyers1]

Originally Posted by Andyx5

Same just happened to me. Started with the energy call failure. Now lost the sat nav and all links with the bmw server. Car was purchased new in September 2019. I hope this is covered under the extended warranty purchased from bmw.

Did the repair permanently fix the issue?

[Ottobyte]

We were awoken by the sheriff’s office at my front door at 5:59am saying they got an SOS call from BMW emergency assist. We were all sleeping and the car was peacefully parked in the garage. As we explained there was no emergency to the officer, we heard talking in the locked car. We unlocked it and it was the call center. She said she’d put a note on the account that we’re having a malfunction.

Our car is always hand washed, never used high pressure due to the notorious shark fin seal issues. It’s always parked in the garage, except yesterday it was parked outside and it rained for hours.

Based on all the comments, I’d guess there’s a leak around the shark fin that’s causing the malfunction. I never even got a pop up message saying there’s a malfunction. If the fin seal is an issue, why don’t they have it replaced in the maintenance schedule?!

[treydoja]

Originally Posted by Ottobyte

We were awoken by the sheriff’s office at my front door at 5:59am saying they got an SOS call from BMW emergency assist. We were all sleeping and the car was peacefully parked in the garage. As we explained there was no emergency to the officer, we heard talking in the locked car. We unlocked it and it was the call center. She said she’d put a note on the account that we’re having a malfunction.

Our car is always hand washed, never used high pressure due to the notorious shark fin seal issues. It’s always parked in the garage, except yesterday it was parked outside and it rained for hours.

Based on all the comments, I’d guess there’s a leak around the shark fin that’s causing the malfunction. I never even got a pop up message saying there’s a malfunction. If the fin seal is an issue, why don’t they have it replaced in the maintenance schedule?!

I recently experienced a similar issue with my 2020 BMW X5, which has 67,000 km (~42,000 miles). On Saturday morning, I received several silenced calls, followed by the police knocking on my door at 3:15 a.m. It turns out that the BMW Emergency Assistance SOS call triggered three times just before 3 a.m. The police conducted a wellness check and left, only to return at 7 a.m. because the SOS went off another six times. The vehicle is usually parked outside. It had been quite warm in the city, leading up to the few days of rainfall and it was raining on the evening and throughout the night leading up to the SOS calls.

I've previously driven an X5 past its warranty without any issues, and I've owned several other BMWs that performed well beyond their warranty periods. This particular lease ended in May, and the vehicle was running so smoothly that I decided not to opt for an extended warranty. However, about three weeks ago, the auto high beam and auto wiper sensor malfunctioned, with the dealership quoting $1,100 for parts and labor. And now, this SOS issue.

I dropped the vehicle off at BMW Service on Saturday afternoon and got it back today after paying a $277 diagnostic fee. Here are their notes:

"No SOS light at this moment, charged battery + insta scan and there are faults 0xB7FF33A TCB: Overvoltage detected 69377 No - ATM02 ATM-02-ATM 0xBCF34E TCB: Internal SIM card used to full capacity 68452
Unknown - ATM02 ATM-02-ATM 0xB7F35F Emergency call components fault. Performed test plan spray dish soap water to antenna and performed pressure test none visible leak at this moment, continue with test plan and needs put new software, the job 2 is part of programming, let customer monitoring after programming."

Given everyone's experiences, I'm fully expecting the SOS to go off again soon, likely requiring a module replacement. It's frustrating that this is a recurring issue, yet not widespread enough to warrant a recall on all X5s.

I'm assuming they'd look at this more and consider a recall when lives are at risk. However, while lives may not be directly at risk, these false alarms are diverting police resources, potentially preventing them from responding to more serious emergencies.

I was surprised by how seriously the police took the situation. They wanted to ensure my wife (who is also named on the vehicle insurance) was okay and had called her over a dozen times. While I appreciate that the SOS system can be activated in non-crash situations and that the wellness checks were thorough, it’s concerning that it led to such a waste of resources.

Will update later if/when further related issues arise.

[Harrisjr]

Similar experience to what has happened to too many here. 2019 50i x-drive with just over 49k miles. About 1 - 1.5 days after driving through heavy rain, I got the emergency call malfunction warning, but everything else worked. A few days later nav went haywire and could not tell where it was. My indie shop (shoutout to Chicane Motorsports in Olathe, KS) ran diagnostics and water test, and confirmed water intrusion under the shark fin. Had to replace the TCU and sos battery, and redo the seal around shark fin.

BMW really should own this issue since it’s their design and seal that seem to be causing so many owners the same frustration. Problem is, I don’t trust my dealer since they lied about my X5 being certified in the first place. Alas, this may be my first and last BMW.