Westwood, N.J. – July 3, 2018 – BMW of North America has recalled more than 50 vehicles potentially equipped with defective steering wheels, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The campaign affects 2018-2019 BMW X-3 xDrive30i, sDrive30i and M40i sport utility vehicles produced between April 26, 2018, and May 2, 2018. The German automaker suspects one-quarter of the vehicles referenced in the action contain the defective parts.

The Defect

Affected models feature steering wheels with defective Active Lane Keeping Assistant sensors. In the event that these sensors fail, drivers may not be alerted when the steering wheel is unattended, increasing the likelihood of a collision. However, BMW has yet to receive reports connecting the problematic parts to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

On April 30, 2018, BMW’s steering wheel supplier reported that some previously installed assemblies may not have Active Lane Keeping Assistant functionality. Specifically, the sensors installed in the wheels were deemed incompatible with this advanced feature. The car company immediately initiated an engineering, during which time technicians performed field tests and confirmed the suppliers’ suspicions.

Following these findings, BMW reviewed its production records and cross-checked them with data from the parts vendor to determine the breadth of the issue. Then, on May 30, 2018, quality assurance personnel reviewed the matter and called for a voluntary safety recall.

BMW notified dealers of the forthcoming action June 6, 2018.

The Solution

The automaker has directed dealers to inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering wheels in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. BMW intends to notify owners via first-class mail July 23, 2018. Those in need of assistance prior to the start of the recall campaign can speak with BMW customer service by calling (800) 525-7417. Owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using the agency’s toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Westwood, N.J. – Feb. 22, 2018 – BMW of North America has recalled a handful of vehicles potentially equipped with defective head air bags, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2018 Rolls-Royce Ghost luxury sedans produced between Nov. 24, 2017, and Dec. 7, 2017.

BMW estimates that just 4 percent of the recalled models actually contain the defective components.

The Defect

Affected vehicles may include damaged head air bags that might not inflate properly upon deployment due to out-of-specification headliner installation. This poses a serious risk to passengers as the defect could leave the vulnerable to head trauma in the event of a crash. However, BMW has not received any reports connecting the defective safety features to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

BMW quality assurance personnel on Jan. 23, 2018, learned that engineers had discovered a damaged air bag during assembly. The British automaker immediately quarantined and blocked shipment of potentially effected vehicles.

In the days following the initial discovery, BMW conducted several tests to determine the root cause of the damaged air bag and eventually learned that the headliners on the the problematic sedans had been installed incorrectly, interfering with the operation of the safety feature. The car company also reviewed production records to ascertain just how many vehicles might contain nonfunctioning head air bags.

On Jan. 31, 2018, BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall. The organizations notified dealers of the action Feb. 7, 2018.

The Solution

BMW directed dealers to inspect and replace the head air bags in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. None of the models involved in this recall have been sold to customers. Therefore, BMW will not be sending out customer notifications. However, any owners with related concerns can contact BMW customer service personnel at (877) 877-3735. They can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using its toll-free vehicle safety hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Westwood, N.J. – Feb. 22, 2018 – BMW of North America has recalled a handful of vehicles potentially equipped with defective head air bags, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2018 Rolls-Royce Ghost luxury sedans produced between Nov. 24, 2017, and Dec. 7, 2017.

BMW estimates that just 4 percent of the recalled models actually contain the defective components.

The Defect

Affected vehicles may include damaged head air bags that might not inflate properly upon deployment due to out-of-specification headliner installation. This poses a serious risk to passengers as the defect could leave the vulnerable to head trauma in the event of a crash. However, BMW has not received any reports connecting the defective safety features to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

BMW quality assurance personnel on Jan. 23, 2018, learned that engineers had discovered a damaged air bag during assembly. The British automaker immediately quarantined and blocked shipment of potentially effected vehicles.

In the days following the initial discovery, BMW conducted several tests to determine the root cause of the damaged air bag and eventually learned that the headliners on the the problematic sedans had been installed incorrectly, interfering with the operation of the safety feature. The car company also reviewed production records to ascertain just how many vehicles might contain nonfunctioning head air bags.

On Jan. 31, 2018, BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall. The organizations notified dealers of the action Feb. 7, 2018.

The Solution

BMW directed dealers to inspect and replace the head air bags in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. None of the models involved in this recall have been sold to customers. Therefore, BMW will not be sending out customer notifications. However, any owners with related concerns can contact BMW customer service personnel at (877) 877-3735. They can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using its toll-free vehicle safety hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – Nov. 6, 2017 – BMW of North America has recalled more than 740,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective crankcases, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects numerous models, including:

• 2008-2011 BMW 128I sedans.
• 2007-2011 BMW 328I sedans.
• 2007-2011 BMW 525I sedans.
• 2007-2011 BMW 528I sedans.
• 2007-2011 BMW 530I sedans.
• 2007-2011 BMW X3 sport utility vehicles.
• 2007-2011 BMW X5 sport utility vehicles.
• 2007-2011 BMW Z3 coupes.

The German automaker has yet to indicate what percentage of the vehicles referenced in the recall contain the defective parts.

The Defect

The models included in this action could contain defective crankcases with positive crankcase ventilation valve heaters that are prone to short-circuiting. These features pose a serious threat to occupants, as they increase the risk of fire. This could occur during operation or when the vehicle is stationary and switched off.

Timeline of Events

In early 2009, BMW received a field incident report referencing a 2007 X5 SUV that had sustained heat damage, according to an incident chronology document submitted to the NHTSA. The car company inspected the vehicle and reviewed the information in the report. These inquires failed to yield a root cause. As a result, BMW initiated a field monitoring program. In late 2009, the automaker received another incident report addressing a 2006 BMW 3 Series sedan with heat damage. BMW received additional reports in early 2010 and later determined that many vehicle owners dealing with heat damage had likely extinguished the resulting fires on their own. The organization launched a parts-return program to collect components from the damaged vehicles for testing.

Between 2011 and 2012, the car company performed internal tests on the returned parts using microscopy, ultrasound and X-ray technology. These analyses revealed that the PCV valve heaters in the affected models were prone to degradation. Those that fully broke down were cited as the root cause of the heat damage. Since no injuries or accidents had been reported, BMW chose to hold off on issuing a recall and instead decided to reinitiate field monitoring.

In 2016 and early 2017, BMW Canada revisited the PVC valve heater issue at the request of Transport Canada. Further analyses revealed that affected vehicles could “age out” of the condition. The testing also showed that the damage occurred between the second and eighth year of ownership. With this new information in hand, BMW met with the NHTSA in October 2017 and submitted a Part 579 report detailing ongoing field monitoring, as well as potential mitigation actions that may work in the U.S. market. The automaker then reviewed internal manufacturing and supplier records to determine the extent of the problem.

BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall Oct. 25.

The Solution

BMW intends to direct dealers to replace PCV valve heaters in affected vehicles free of charge. The company plans to notify both dealers and owners Dec. 18. However, owners in need of more immediate assistance can contact BMW customer service at (800) 525-7417. They can also reach out to the NHTSA directly through its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Recall Masters  – October 24, 2017

BMW recalls vehicles with defective occupant detection features

MW of North America has recalled more than 85,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective front passenger-side occupant detection mats, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2006-2010 BMW X-3 sport utility vehicles with production dates ranging from Nov. 20, 2005 to Aug. 31, 2010. The German automaker suspects roughly 9 percent of the models referenced in the recall contain the defective features.

The Defect

The vehicles named in this campaign could contain front passenger-side occupant detection mats prone to fatigue-based cracking. BMW engineers speculate that high volumes of passenger entries and exits, combined with the dimensions of the vehicle floor board area, lead to the development of micro-fissures that eventually interrupt underlying conductive pathways and cause complete failure of the occupant detection system. This poses a serious hazard to passengers, as such a failure may inhibit air bag activation in the event of a crash. However, BMW has not received reports linking the defect to any accidents or injuries…

Read the entire article on the Recall Masters website

Recall Masters -September 8, 2017

BMW recalls vehicles with defective seatbelts

BMW of North America has recalled dozens of vehicles possible equipped with defective seat belt assemblies, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2018 BMW 4 Series and M4 convertibles with production dates ranging from July 7, 2017 to July 25, 2017. The German automaker suspects 1 percent of the total vehicles named in the recall contain the damaged parts.
The Defect
Affected models are believed to include driver and passenger seat belt assemblies with defective Emergency Locking Retractors, the vehicle-sensitive mechanisms of which may fail due to incompatibility issues. This could inhibit ELR functionality and put occupants at risk during traffic accidents. However, BMW has yet to receive field reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries…

Read the entire article on the Recall Masters website

Westwood, N.J. – Sept. 8, 2017 – BMW of North America has recalled dozens of vehicles possible equipped with defective seat belt assemblies, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2018 BMW 4 Series and M4 convertibles with production dates ranging from July 7, 2017 to July 25, 2017. The German automaker suspects 1 percent of the total vehicles named in the recall contain the damaged parts.

The Defect

Affected models are believed to include driver and passenger seat belt assemblies with defective Emergency Locking Retractors, the vehicle-sensitive mechanisms of which may fail due to incompatibility issues. This could inhibit ELR functionality and put occupants at risk during traffic accidents. However, BMW has yet to receive field reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

Engineers at an unspecified BMW assembly facility discovered the defect seat belt assemblies during a post-production test drive on July 17, 2017. These fixtures failed to perform up to standard during braking and cornering tests. BMW personnel examined the seat belts in the vehicle subjected to road testing and determined that its ELRs did not activate properly. The car company then shipped the defective features to the German ELR provider ZF TRW Automotive for internal analysis. Quality assurance staff at the parts manufacturer determined that the ELRs were the product of ineffective production processes. Specifically, assemblers had equipped with parts with incompatible vehicle-sensitive mechanism housings, which inhibited the operation of this feature.

After receiving these results, BMW conducted multiple investigations to determine how many vehicles had been fitted with the defective parts. With the information in hand, the vehicle manufacturer launched a voluntary safety recall on Aug. 7, 2017. BMW contacted owners nine days later.

On Aug. 25, BMW announced a delivery delay for approximately 1200 4 Series convertibles believed to include the problematic seat belt assembly, according to internal documentation submitted to the NHTSA.

The Solution

BMW has requested that dealers inspect the seat belt assemblies on affected vehicles and replace them if necessary, with no charge to the customer. The company is expected to notify owners Oct. 9, according to the NHTSA. However, those in need of more immediate assistance are encouraged to reach out to BMW customer service personnel at (800) 525-7417 or call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.