BMW Recalls nearly 45,000 Vehicles Due to a Potential Coolant Leak

BMW Recalls nearly 45,000 Vehicles Due to a Potential Coolant Leak

November 7, 2018 Sean Reyes

Laguna Hills, CA – November 7, 2018 – BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain models over fire risk. These vehicles are equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold, which can increase the risk of a fire.

Included in this recall are: 

  • 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive 
  • 2014-2018 BMW 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon
  • 2014-2016 BMW 535d and 535d xDrive
  • 2015 BMW 740Ld xDrive
  • 2015-2017 BMW  X3 xDrive28d SAV 
  • 2014-2017 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAV 

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, approximately 12,781 Model Year 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive Diesel engine vehicles were equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module that featured an integrated cooling component (“cooler”). Over time, this component could start to internally leak glycol coolant, because the recall component was not produced with sufficient long-term durability characteristics. During vehicle operation, if an internal coolant leak began inside the EGR cooler, the fluid could mix with normal diesel engine soot/sediment. This combination in the engine environment with high temperatures normally present might result in smoldering particles, which in very rare cases could lead to the melting of the intake manifold. In extreme cases, this could result in a possible fire. During vehicle operation, the driver may be alerted to this condition by one or more of the following: A warning symbol in the instrument cluster displaying a loss of engine coolant, a reduction in engine power, an unpleasant odor (exhaust gas), an unusual noise from the engine compartment, and/or smoke from the engine compartment.

Timeline of Events

On July 26, 2018, BMW submitted the required Part 579 report, to which NHTSA assigned “18F-137” as the Foreign Recall ID after BMW became aware of an issue in the Korean market. On September 5, 2018, BMW met with NHTSA to explain EGR system differences between vehicles in the U.S. market and vehicles in other markets. BMW provided a summary of U.S. field data including warranty claims, consumer complaints, and field reports which indicated coolant leak warnings, drivability concerns, or damage to the intake manifold. BMW also stated that it would continue to closely monitor the field. In October 2018, further in-depth analyses indicated that it was possible that one incident could be attributed to this issue. BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall although at the time of the report, BMW was unaware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.

The Solution

Owners will be notified by First Class mail and instructed to take their vehicle to an authorized BMW center to have the remedy performed at no cost. The EGR cooler will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced free of charge. If it is determined that the EGR cooler has internally leaked, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. The EGR pipe connecting the cooler to the manifold will be cleaned. Owners who have replaced the EGR cooler at their own expense prior to the recall notification may be eligible for reimbursement according to BMW Group’s reimbursement plan. Notification to owners is planned to begin and end on December 17, 2018. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-755.

Other BMW Recalls 

Some of these vehicles may have been a part of a recall in August of 2021, when BMW recalled vehicles over a risk of engine stalling caused by a high-pressure fuel pump that suffers from excessive wear. In addition, even vehicles with gasoline engines, such as the 328i station wagon, had problems with their fuel pumps in the past.  

  • 2014 – 2018 BMW 328D
  • 2015 – 2017 BMW X3
  • 2014 – 2016 BMW 535D
  • 2014 – 2018 BMW X5 
  • 2015 BMW 740LD

The affected component in this recall is the BMW high-pressure fuel pump with part number 7810696 and 7283473

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This BMW recall includes more than 11,000 vehicles. To check for this and other BMW recalls, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Sean ReyesBMW Recalls nearly 45,000 Vehicles Due to a Potential Coolant Leak
2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner: Recall Alert

2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner: Recall Alert

November 6, 2018 Sean Reyes

2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner: Recall Alert

Vehicles Affected: Approximately 1,300 model-year 2017-19 Toyota 4Runner SUVs that Southeast Toyota Distributors equipped with a TRD wheel package

The Problem: The gross vehicle weight rating on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded and increasing the risk of a crash.

The Fix: SET will notify owners and mail them corrected certification labels for free…Read more on Cars.com

Sean Reyes2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner: Recall Alert
Kia Recalls More Than 16,000 Stinger Vehicles for Wiring Harness Issue

Kia Recalls More Than 16,000 Stinger Vehicles for Wiring Harness Issue

November 5, 2018 Sean Reyes

Laguna Hills, CA – November 5, 2018 – Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Stinger vehicles for electrical problems relating to a wiring harness. This recall is expected to affect 16011 vehicles in North America.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, the front wiring harness located in the engine and passenger compartment of affected Stinger vehicles may get damaged from contacting a burr on a sheet metal hole on the left fender apron body panel. Such contact can damage the insulation on one or more wires and cause increased electrical short, thereby generating heat. Once sufficient heat is generated, thermal damage may occur to surrounding materials. The damaged wiring harness may then short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Owners may or may not be alerted to an issue by illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Light (“MIL”) or activation of limp home mode.

Timeline of Events

On May 3, 2018, Kia Motors America, Inc.’s (KMA) Consumer Affairs Department was notified by dealer of a fire involving a 2018MY Kia Stinger, which affected other vehicles and a structure. On September 6, 2018, KMA inspected the subject Stinger vehicle and identified the origin of fire to likely have occurred in left rear of engine compartment behind left strut tower and under the left hood hinge support. The potential cause of fire was identified as damage to wiring harness insulation resulting in electrical arcing and/or resistance heating.

KMA subsequently conducted inspection of Stinger vehicles at the port for any potential front wiring harness damage and found none. KMA was able to identify that stamping direction of the left fender apron body panel was changed on April 5, 2018, and although testing was conducted to evaluate any potential relationship between front wiring harness damage and fire, the incident could not be replicated during testing. A potential for thermal damage was confirmed due to an electrical short caused by damaged wires, however, and in late October, KMC made the decision to conduct a safety recall due to the single fire incident. No injuries were reported.

The Solution

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness for damage. If no damage is found, a cover will be installed free of charge. If damage is found, the wiring harness will be repaired, and a cover will be installed, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall SC170. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-754.

Sean ReyesKia Recalls More Than 16,000 Stinger Vehicles for Wiring Harness Issue
Toyota Recalls Nearly 1300 4Runners for Insufficient Cargo Load Capacity

Toyota Recalls Nearly 1300 4Runners for Insufficient Cargo Load Capacity

November 2, 2018 Sean Reyes

Laguna Hills, CA – November 2, 2018 – Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles that SET modified to be equipped with a TRD wheel package on which a certification label was incorrect. This recall is expected to affect 1295 vehicles in North America.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded. An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Timeline of Events

During a routine data validation audit on in late September 2018, it was discovered that the accessory weight for the TRD Wheel Package was not accurately relayed to the software used to calculate the load carrying capacity modification labels. The TRD Wheel Package is installed by SET at the request of Toyota and is considered standard equipment on the special edition TRD 4Runner from Toyota. However, the TRD Wheel package weight was not included in the final vehicle certification, and should have been included in the load carrying capacity modification label calculation. This led to affected vehicles having the incorrect cargo weight capacity listed and some having a negative cargo carrying capacity.

The Solution

SET will notify the customers by mail of the noncompliance. An accurate label will be provided to apply over the inaccurate label at no charge. Each label will be customized for the corresponding customer’s vehicle based on the net weight of the accessories installed. Fifteen (15) vehicles have been identified which cannot be remedied solely with a revised label. They may require an alternate remedy to remain in line with net weight restrictions and allow cargo carrying capacity to shift out of negative. These customers will be contacted separately, and options provided, one of which may be the  exchange or upgrade of accessories at no charge to reduce the overall weight and increase cargo carrying load capacity.

Customers will be notified and arrangements made to provide a suitable remedy. SET expects the mailing of customer notification letters to begin on or about December 24, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET’s number for this recall is SET18A. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-753.

Sean ReyesToyota Recalls Nearly 1300 4Runners for Insufficient Cargo Load Capacity

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