BMW Shark Fin Antenna Settlement – Water Damage Reimbursement
BMW has agreed to settle a class action over water intrusion through the roof-mounted "shark fin" antenna on certain 2019–2020 SUVs. If you paid to repair antenna or telematics water damage, you may be entitled to full reimbursement — plus an extended New Vehicle Limited Warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles and a 60-day free-repair window at authorized dealers.
Do I Qualify?
You may be eligible if:
- You are a current or former owner or lessee of a model year 2019–2020 BMW X3, X4, X5, X6, or X7 SUV built between November 2018 and March 2020
- The vehicle was registered in the U.S., Washington D.C., or Puerto Rico
- You paid out of pocket for shark fin antenna or telematics module repairs related to water intrusion, or need coverage for a future repair
- You submit a valid claim form with required documentation by August 27, 2026
Proof is required for reimbursement claims. You will need a repair order showing vehicle mileage at the time of replacement, itemized parts and labor costs, and proof of payment (receipt, statement, or canceled check). Full dealer reimbursement applies if the vehicle was under 10 years/120,000 miles at the time of repair.
File your claim on the official BMW shark fin antenna settlement website.
File Your Claim →What Happened?
The lawsuit, Craft v. BMW of North America, LLC, et al. (D. New Jersey), alleged the roof-mounted "shark fin" antenna on certain BMW SUVs wasn't properly sealed during the painting process, letting water seep in and damage the telematics control module underneath — the component responsible for GPS, radio, and other connected features. The named plaintiff, who owned a 2019 X5, was quoted $2,500 by a dealer to fix the antenna and telematics unit before finding a cheaper $92 repair himself and filing suit.
BMW denies any defect or wrongdoing but agreed to settle, including separately extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty for affected models to 10 years/120,000 miles — a benefit that applies whether or not the settlement ultimately receives final court approval.
The defect itself isn't catastrophic, but water intrusion into vehicle electronics tends to get more expensive to diagnose and fix the longer it goes unaddressed.
How Much Will I Actually Get?
This is a genuine reimbursement settlement, not a flat token payment — someone who already paid a BMW dealer $2,500 for this exact repair could get the full amount back if their vehicle was under the mileage and age threshold at the time. Independent-shop repairs are reimbursed too, with proper documentation. Even if you haven't paid for a repair yet, the extended warranty and 60-day free dealer repair window may still be worth pursuing.
Last reviewed: June 21, 2026 | Information verified from court records and official settlement documents.