Westwood, N.J. – July 6, 2017 – BMW North America has recalled more than 2,100 vehicles potentially equipped with defective passenger detection features, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Association. This campaign, which is an amendment to an earlier recall conducted in November 2013, affects a number of BMW models, including:

• 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i and 330xi sedans
• 2006 325xi station wagons
• 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi and 550i sedans
• 2006 530xi station wagons

BMW estimates that 6 percent of the total vehicles named in the recall contain the defective components.

The Defect

The vehicles included in this recall may come equipped with occupant detection mats susceptible to microcracking. These structural fissures could interrupt the conductive pathways within the mats and cause complete fixture failure. In this scenario, passenger safety features such as air bags would fail to deploy in the event of a crash. This poses serious risks to passengers, who could be left unprotected should a serious accident occur.

BMW has yet to receive reports connecting the defect to accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In 2008, BMW conducted recalls in Canada and the U.S. to address nonworking passenger detection mats, according to internal documents submitted to the NHTSA. The car company also introduced new mat models featuring alloy into production facilities. Four years later, the Canadian transportation department contacted BMW regarding customer complaints surrounding the improved detection mats. From November 2012 to March 2013, BMW engineers reviewed the complaints and the associated vehicles and determined that the alloy mats were defective. In April of that year, the automaker initiated a recall campaign in Canada.

One month later, it launched an investigation in the U.S. to determine if American owners were also dealing with problematic passenger detection mats. While initial NHTSA database surveys yielded low numbers of warranty claims related to the defect, a more exhaustive review conducted in August 2013 revealed claim rates similar to those in the Canadian market. With this data in hand, BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall in the U.S.

In April 2017, the NHTSA reached out to BMW and requested information on models named in the 2013 recall. The agency realized that some of these vehicles had been mentioned in recent customer complaints regarding passenger detection mats. BMW and the NHTSA came to the conclusion in May that some 2006 models had been left out of the 2013 campaign. Over the coming weeks, both parties analyzed production data and assembled a definitive list of vehicles whose passenger detection equipment needed to be replaced.

On June 28, BMW launched a voluntary safety recall to address these remaining models. The car company notified dealers July 6.

The Solution

BMW has ordered dealers to replace the passenger detection mats in affected vehicles free of charge. The automaker will reach out to owners Sept. 1 via first-class mail. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact BMW customer service at (800) 524-7417 or call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

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.

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.

Westwood, N.J. – Mar. 30, 2017 – BMW of North America has recalled almost 300 vehicles equipped with defective air bag module igniters that were the subject of a previous campaign. The new recall impacts BMW 4 Series and Rolls-Royce Dawn convertibles produced between September and November 2016, according to documentation from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The Defect

Affected vehicles include air bag module igniters with mix ratios that do not meet internal standards. In some cases, these fixtures may not deploy properly, leaving drivers and passengers unprotected in the event of a crash. As yet, no injuries have been connected to the defect.

Timeline of Events

On Dec. 6, 2016, OEM parts provider NCS Pyrotechnie et Technologies SAS notified BMW that its air bag module igniters were improperly mixed. The German automaker investigated the issue and discovered that the faulty igniters had been installed in more than a dozen models. BMW officials launched a voluntary safety recall Dec. 8, according to the NHTSA. More than one month later, engineers found the faulty igniters in 4 Series and Rolls-Royce Dawn convertibles. BMW conducted another investigation and on Feb. 16 added the two vehicles to the previous recall. Dealers were notified Feb. 24.

The Solution

BMW has ordered dealers to replace the defective air bag module igniters, free of charge. The automaker plans to send out all owner notifications by April 17. Owners are encouraged to contact BMW customer service or call the NHTSA hotline if they need immediate assistance.

Recall Masters – March 29, 2017

BMW Recalls SUVs With Damaged Driveshaft Joints

BMW of North America has recalled more than 121,000 vehicles with damaged driveshaft joints, according to documentation from the National Highway Transportation Administration. The recall, which follows a related campaign initiated in May 2016, impacts a number of models produced between November 2010 and April 2013, including:

• X5 xDrive35i, xDrive50i and M sport utility vehicles
• X5 xDrive35d diesel sport utility vehicles
• X6 xDrive35i, xDrive50i and M sport utility vehicles
• X6 ActiveHybrid sport utility vehiclesThe Defect
  The contact surface between the spider and the seal for the front driveshaft joint does not comport with internal quality standards. Consequently, contaminants and dirt may enter the fixture and degrade the universal driveshaft joint to the point of breakage. This would increase the likelihood of a wreck…

Read the entire article on the Recall Masters website

Westwood, N.J. – March 29, 2017 – BMW of North America has recalled more than 121,000 vehicles with damaged driveshaft joints, according to documentation from the National Highway Transportation Administration. The recall, which follows a related campaign initiated in May 2016, impacts a number of models produced between November 2010 and April 2013, including:

• X5 xDrive35i, xDrive50i and M sport utility vehicles
• X5 xDrive35d diesel sport utility vehicles
• X6 xDrive35i, xDrive50i and M sport utility vehicles
• X6 ActiveHybrid sport utility vehicles

The Defect

The contact surface between the spider and the seal for the front driveshaft joint does not comport with internal quality standards. Consequently, contaminants and dirt may enter the fixture and degrade the universal driveshaft joint to the point of breakage. This would increase the likelihood of a wreck.

Timeline of Events

In April 2014, the German automaker decided to replace the driveshafts in numerous models due to improper contact-surface specifications. Four months later, BMW met with officials the NHTSA and the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to discuss the defect, according to a report from the NHTSA. On July 29, the company reached out to affected owners and offered repairs free of charge under its extended warranty agreement.

In March 2016, customer complaints pertaining to the issue increased, forcing further investigations. On May 9, BMW issued an official voluntary recall.

The car company continued to monitor the situation as the recall progressed. Additionally, engineers evaluated driveshaft assemblies from other vehicles and compiled reviews. Over the course of November and December 2016, BMW officials reviewed the findings and found that other vehicles suffered from issues present in models involved in the 2014 quality assurance campaign. On Feb. 23, the automaker launched the latest recall. Dealers received notification March 3.

The Solution

BMW has ordered dealers to replace the front driveshafts in affected models, free of charge. It plans to notify owners April 24.

Westwood, N.J. – Feb. 22, 2017 – BMW has recalled more than 19,000 hybrid-electric models due to a serious fuel tank vent design flaw. The recall affects i3 four-door sedans with range extender engines produced between 2014 and 2017, according to a report from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The Defect

BMW i3 models in this series feature closed engine compartments. Inside, one section of the fuel tank vent line makes contact with the rubber-coated B+ battery cable. In some cases, this friction causes the fuel tank vent line to abrade, leaking flammable vapor into the engine compartment and increasing the likelihood of a fire.

Timeline of Events

In November 2016, a dealer overseas reported the issue and hypothesized that the fuel tank vent line was chafing against the nearby B+ battery cable. Engineers from the German automaker conducted expansive field tests to see if the problem was common among i3 models at other dealerships. On Jan. 17, 2017, BMW personnel reviewed collected diagnostic data and determined that the issue was indeed widespread. Engineers performed further evaluations to better understand how the fuel tank vent line might degrade over time.

Soon after, BMW surveyed manufacturing records to determine which models might be affected. On Feb. 2, the automaker began the voluntary recall process. Dealers received notification Feb. 10. No vent line-related injuries have been reported.

The Solution

BMW has ordered all dealers to inspect the fuel tank vent lines in affected models and offer replacements if necessary. Additionally, all recalled i3s are to be outfitted with clips that keep fuel tank vent lines and B+ battery cables separate and prevent chaffing. Dealers will administer the repairs free of charge. The recall is scheduled to begin April 3.