NHTSA Service Bulletin 10171483: 2016-2020 BMW 530e
Official manufacturer communication context for 2016-2020 BMW 530e, with affected products, buyer checks and links into Carchieve recall, problem and VIN research.
Reviewed June 2026 from NHTSA manufacturer communication and service bulletin records. Carchieve is independent and not affiliated with any vehicle manufacturer or government agency.
DME FAULT MEMORY ENTRY FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 1) replaces SI B12 04 19 dated February 2019. Technicians may notice this fault logged during a diagnostic session: Fault code: Control module: Fault Text: 160021 DME Crankshaft sensor: general loss of synchronism Environmental conditions are vehicle speed 0 (stationary) and engine speed less than 1500 rpm. There is no customer-facing symptom nor related check control message displayed. Phantom/pseudo fault due to unsuitable DME software. Background: After parking the vehicle and turning off the engine both DME control units go into sleep mode at different times. The DME of cylinder bank 2 ("secondary") goes into sleep mode first The DME of cylinder bank 1 ("primary") is still awake and can experience a reduction in signal voltage for the crankshaft sensor signal This signal change can mistakenly be evaluated as a skipped crankshaft sensor cog by the DME. If the engine is started while the primary DME is still awake this causes a brief loss of synchronization with the secondary DME. Fault 160021 is logged after three (3) consecutive engine starts with this momentary loss of synchronization. Note: Starting the engine after the primary DME has also gone into sleep mode will avoid the loss of synchronization.
What this bulletin may mean before buying
Treat this as service research, not a verdict on one car. Before you buy, compare this communication with official recall campaigns, model-level owner complaint patterns, and the exact vehicle’s VIN-decoded specifications. A bulletin can help you ask a seller or dealer sharper questions about software updates, known repairs, warranty extensions and service history.
Affected products listed in this communication
Buyer checklist
- Run the 17-character VIN and confirm the year, make, model, engine and equipment match the listing.
- Check recall campaign pages for safety actions that may require dealer repair.
- Compare this bulletin with common problem pages for the same model and component area.
- Ask the seller or dealer whether the bulletin procedure, update or inspection has already been completed.
- Use the used-car buying checklist and get an independent inspection.
Frequently asked questions
What is NHTSA service bulletin 10171483?
DME FAULT MEMORY ENTRY FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 1) replaces SI B12 04 19 dated February 2019. Technicians may notice this fault logged during a diagnostic session: Fault code: Control module: Fault Text: 160021 DME Crankshaft sensor: general loss of synchronism Environmental conditions are vehicle speed 0 (stationary) and engine speed less than 1500 rpm. There is no.
Is a service bulletin the same as a recall?
No. A recall is a safety campaign with a required remedy for affected VINs. A service bulletin or manufacturer communication usually describes diagnostic, repair, software, warranty or service information.
How should a used-car buyer use this bulletin?
Use it as a research signal. Compare it with recalls, owner complaints, service records, a VIN report and an independent inspection before buying.
Check the exact VIN before you buy
Model-level pages show public safety patterns. A full VIN report helps confirm the exact vehicle, decoded specs, recall applicability and buyer checks.
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