Westwood, N.J. – June 5, 2017 – BMW of North America has recalled a number of sport utility vehicles with incorrect tire information placards. The campaign affects X5 and X6 models produced between April 1 and April 18, 2017, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Approximately 100 percent of the vehicles are expected to include the defective parts.
The Defect
Models named in the recall campaign feature 21-inch tires with information placards that do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, specifically section 110, which stipulates that vehicle manufacturers include air load distribution and other essential data on these fixtures. While the information placards installed affixed to the tires on affected models contain all of the required data, they do not comport with size requirements established in the FMVSS.
Timeline of Events
BMW engineers discovered the defect while conducting a quality check at an American assembly plant May 2, 2017. The tire labels looked unfit upon initial inspection but engineers ordered more exhaustive tests to confirm. Further trials showed that the information placards did not fit the 21-inch tires upon which they were installed and could possibly be in violation of FMVSS section 110. BMW conducted additional tests and reviewed internal records to comprehend the full extent of the defect. Personnel ascertained exact production dates for affected vehicles.
On May 11, QA personnel confirmed that the information placards did not comply with FMVSS section 110. BMW launched an official recall campaign soon after, notifying dealers May 18. As of the recall start date, no wrecks or driver injuries have been connected to the defect.
The Solution
BMW has pledged to replace the tire information placards on affected models, free of charge. The automaker has also ordered dealers to halt all transactions involving new or used vehicles named in the recall until these models have been fixed. Dealers who fail to amend the information placards on models up for sale are liable under federal law and therefore vulnerable to civil penalties under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Owners should expect to receive notification July 10. Those in need of immediate assistance are encouraged to contact BMW customer service or the NHTSA via the vehicle safety hotline (888) 327-4236.
