Westwood, N.J. – June 14, 2017 – BMW of North America has recalled more than 200 vehicles with potentially defective engine oil coolant lines, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017-2018 BMW M760Li xDrive sedans produced between May 10, 2016 and June 1, 2017. The German automaker estimates that roughly 1 percent of the vehicles named in the recall contain the defective cooling component.
The Defect
Affected models could come equipped with incorrect engine coolant lines. These fixtures are prone to leakage and might cause coolant to come into contact with the front brake assembly or the road. This increases the likelihood of an accident. However, BMW has not received any accident reports involving the defective part.
Timeline of Events
In April of this year, BMW issued a recall for M760Li xDrive sedans with incorrectly crimped engine oil coolant lines, according to the NHTSA. The campaign covered nearly 100 vehicles, an estimated 1 percent of which contained the defect. In early May, a BMW parts supplier, Cohline GmbH based in Germany, notified the car company that the root cause identified in the April recall was incorrect. The manufacturer conducted an additional internal review and discovered that a sub-supplier had provided the wrong coolant line hoses. In fact, these components were selected for vulcanization and not fit for production.
On May 18, BMW engineers conducted a test designed to replicate the leakage detailed in the field reports that led to the April recall. The results indicated that incorrect coolant lines were to blame. The supplier immediately examined its production and shipment logs to determine which vehicles had been fitted with oil coolant assemblies containing the wrong tubing. BMW performed a cross-check of its own production logs.
The carmaker initiated a voluntary recall June 7.
The Solution
BMW has ordered dealers to replace the engine oil coolant lines in affected vehicles, free of charge. The automaker plans to notify owners Aug. 7. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.
