BMW Recall - Information & Updates

BMW has been stung by a 1.3 million vehicle global recall. BMW is recalling all models of the previous generation 5-Series and 6-Series, built from 2003 to 2010, because of a faulty battery cable cover.In a worst-case scenario, the car could catch fire. Spokesman for BMW Australia, Piers Scott, says exactly 10,000 cars are affected in this country. "We are contacting all owners, via dealerships, immediately,'' he says."We haven't any reports of problems and I guess this could be seen as being overly-cautious but this is the best approach.'' Scott says issues like this reinforce cars should be serviced through authorised BMW dealerships "however, we will be alerting all service channels to capture all owners''."The problem centres on wiring that is not easily visible,'' he says. It is the second million-car recall in two years, following Toyota's massive 9-million car recall in 2009-2010 for alleged sticking accelerator pedals.BMW says no accidents or injuries have occurred because of the issue, but there is the potential that affected models may fail to start, or worse, catch fire. Owners will be sent a letter and will be asked to visit a BMW dealer for a free, 30-minute repair session.The company says in some instances, the battery cable cover - which is inside the boot - may be incorrectly mounted. It says this can result in the electrical system malfunctioning, the vehicle failing to start and, in some cases, to charring or fire.BMW last year was penalised $3 million for failing to quickly report safety defects to the US vehicle safety authority, the NHTSA. Recalls of more than 1-million vehicles are rare. The latest big recall was Toyota that in 2009-2010 recalled about 9-million Toyota and Lexus vehicles worldwide for defects associated with unintended acceleration.This year recalls have been announced by companies including General Motors which in the US is to repair problems with the steering system that could result in a loss of steering. There are no known complaints about this issue. Porsche is also recalling about 1200 911 Carrera S coupes from the 2012 model year in the US because the fuel line may become disconnected, leading to fuel loss and possible fire.TOP 10 RECALLS 

If a minor collision sets off all 12 airbags in a 7 Series BMW it could well be written off.Not because of the crash damage but because of the cost of replacing the airbag and seatbelt systems.An Airbag Mobile Reset Service spokesman said the cost of replacing the airbags, the damaged trim and replacing the pre-tension seatbelts on a 7 Series could easily amount between $30,000 and $40,000. “I know of BMWs in Sydney that have been written off because of this cost,” the spokesman said.Airbags are in the news as Australian road-safety campaigns are expanded, but British road safety group, the Guild of Experienced Motorists (GEM), says many people had no idea what happens when airbags deploy or the dangers the bags pose if occupants are unaware of their presence or operation.GEM Motoring Assist says the airbag is a great safety feature and used in conjunction with a seatbelt can often prevent serious injury. But GEM boss David Williams says unless people have experience of the quick-inflating devices, drivers and passengers could panic in a crash.GEM member Matt Day described his first experience of an airbag deploying when he and his wife were involved in a crash.“We were thankful for the extremely fast deployment of the airbags,” Day said. “They seem to have deflated again before I realised they had inflated. What's more, the seatbelts did their job and we didn't get thrown forward.”Day said that when the airbags inflated his car filled with smoke from the mini-explosion, which was necessary to deploy them.“I could sense the car filling rapidly with smoke and my initial reaction was to get out. I screamed at my wife to get out, too.”Day's reaction is typical but based on a lack of knowledge.The airbags are inflated by a small explosion and white smoke or fine powder often fills the car because the airbags have a big hole in the base to allow gases to escape.“The airbag has inflated and is already letting the air out of the big hole usually before the driver or passenger has hit them,” the AMRS spokesman says. “At the same time in most modern cars an explosive charge has gone off down by the seat where the seatbelt is mounted at the base of the seat. This pulls the seatbelt tight. So there can be lots of noise and the smell of burning which often frightens people.”Airbag Mobile Reset Service website warns of airbag dangers.“Airbags inflate in a fraction of a second and with great force. This means if the front-seat occupants of the car are not properly seated and strapped in with seatbelts or are obstructing an airbag compartment with part of their body, they may be injured. There have been reports in the US of children sitting in the front seat or lying in a rear-facing child restraint mounted in the front seat being crushed to death by airbags in low-speed accidents, which they might have otherwise survived."“According to the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, it is common practice to carry small children in the front seat in the US and Europe. In Australia they're generally in the back because our child restraints usually can't be fitted in the front seat. As long as this doesn't change we shouldn't have the same problem with children being injured."“However, Australian adults still need to be cautious — there have been reports in the US of airbags causing bruises, broken arms, eye damage and adult fatalities."“But they do save lives. Despite the occasional problems, airbags in most cases do prevent serious injury and save lives. For example, General Motors Holden says there has been a 'dramatic' reduction in facial, head and chest injuries to occupants of airbag-equipped Commodores involved in accidents.“The US-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has also compared driver deaths in airbag-equipped cars with cars without airbags. The research found there were 23 per cent fewer deaths in airbag-equipped cars involved in frontal and front-angled crashes.”Have you had any problems with your airbags? Let us know by filling out the bottom field. 

The number of Australian cars affected in the world’s biggest recall is now more than 637,000 and climbing.The majority of motorists have no option other to wait up to a year before the airbags are replaced -- because the supplier at the centre of the crisis can’t build them fast enough.It became the biggest recall in the world after Japanese manufacturer Takata -- which supplies 20 per cent of the car industry’s airbags -- admitted in a US hearing this week the problem was more widespread than it had claimed for years.The faulty airbags, which can explode shrapnel if deployed in a crash, have so far claimed six lives overseas. No deaths or injuries have been reported in Australia.Legal experts say motorists have little choice but to endure the painstaking wait for the replacements, and they can’t sue the car companies unless someone dies or is seriously injured from the defective airbags.The crisis has left drivers with the unenviable task of taking the risk and driving their cars or -- if they can afford it -- park their recalled car until new airbags become available.The faulty airbags have so far claimed six lives overseas.So far, authorities in the US and Australia have not ordered the recalled cars off the road.The odds of being killed are difficult to calculate. Not all of the airbags in the 53 million cars are defective.But internal testing by Takata over the past six months found 265 of 30,000 recalled airbags had ruptured -- or less than 1 per cent.That may sound like good odds, until you realise it still leaves 530,000 cars around the world -- and at least 6000 in Australia -- with airbags that can kill. At first it was thought only airbags fitted to vehicles with long term exposure to humidity were most at risk.But this week Takata doubled the number of airbags recalled after determining humidity may not have been the only contributing factor.In the faulty airbags, the propellant in the inflator deteriorates over time, making it more volatile and prone to explode with too much force when deployed in a crash.In Australia, perhaps because there have been no known airbag-related deaths locally, it seems not everyone is in a panic to get their car fixed.Then again, the majority of owners of affected cars don’t have a choice but to wait.Retired couple Mark and Delwyn Bridgeman waited a year before they took their 2002 Honda CR-V to get fixed.“Honda contacted me about a year ago to say there was going to be a recall, and then in January they said I could bring the car in,” said Mr Bridgeman, who bought his CR-V new 12 years ago.“When I heard the extra recalls on the radio the other day I thought I better get in quick. I got mine fixed yesterday.”Honda only needed to replace the passenger airbag in this instance. Was his wife Delwyn worried that she was sitting in front of a potentially deadly airbag in her husband’s car?“He’s a very safe driver,” said Mrs Bridgeman. “After 60 years of driving, how many accidents have we had?” Presumably the rhetorical question meant they had none.Young couple Kelly and Gene White and their three-year-old boy use their 2006 Toyota Corolla hatchback as a family car.“It’s a little bit worrying that if we have an accident we could have shrapnel flying at us,” said Mrs White. “We want to get it fixed as fast as possible, so it’s distressing to have to wait so long.”Young mum Farah didn’t know about the airbag recall until News Corp Australia approached her in a shopping centre car park. With her 17-month-old boy secured in a baby capsule in the back seat of the 2002 Honda CR-V handed down to her from her parents, Farah told us: “Now that I know about (the recall) I’m a bit nervous to be honest. I try to drive carefully, but what if a crash happens, even if it’s not your fault? There is still a risk the airbags could go off. How do you know yours isn’t one of the deadly ones?”P-plate driver Emmalene Royce has a 2005 Toyota Echo that was originally her grandmother’s car. She learned to drive in it and the car has been in the family since new.“I won’t sell the car because I have an emotional attachment to it,” she said. “I definitely want to get it fixed but I don’t have a choice but to drive this car while I wait for the new airbags. I can’t afford to buy another car.”Josh Simons, a partner from Thomson Geer, a competition and consumer law firm, says there may be little action motorists can take now that the car companies involved have issued recalls.“Consumers now have an obligation to take reasonable steps to protect themselves, but car companies are not off the hook,” said Mr Simons.“They must fix the product, and they may still be liable if a death or serious injury does occur as a result of a faulty airbag.”Even then, however, car makers may not be entirely to blame should the worst happen.Given that the Federal Government must be notified of all recalls, Mr Simons says “it is up to the relevant minister to decide if the recall action taken is reasonable”. As the car industry is grappling with the biggest recall it has ever faced, some customers are demanding replacement vehicles until the new airbags arrive.“If the car has a major defect, you’re entitled to a replacement or a refund -- at the customer’s choice -- depending how old the cars is,” said Mr Simons.“If a customer wants a replacement or a refund it has to be a reasonable period of time from the date the car was purchased new.”However, the definition of a “reasonable period of time” is open to interpretation and depends on the circumstances of the particular goods involved, says Simons.“If you bought a used car from a business, potentially you have rights (to a replacement or refund) against the business you bought the car from,” said Mr Simons.“If you bought a used car privately, you have no recourse against the person who sold you the car, but you may still have rights against the car manufacturer.”When News Corp Australia contacted the brands affected by the airbag recall, most did not know how many cars had already been repaired, or exactly when they would be fixed.“Replacement parts are presently being prepared and, due to the number of vehicles impacted globally, it is anticipated that sufficient parts will be available to commence recall repairs by early next year,” said Toyota Australia’s media statement.The tally for Toyota's airbag recall cars in Australia now eclipses 207,000, Honda totals more than 188,000, Nissan has 156,000 affected cars, utes and four-wheel-drives, and Mazda has called back 5100 vehicles.Of the 4500 Chrysler 300C sedans recalled, the company says 3400 will be fixed by the end of June after airfreighting parts.BMW has recalled 43,000 cars and says it has replacement airbags available, while Mercedes-Benz says it fixed 20 cars in Australia last year.Overnight on Friday, Subaru Australia announced a recall of 33,548 Impreza cars made between 2004 and 2007. That brings the number of cars recalled so far to more than 637,000, but that figure is expected to grow in the coming weeks once Takata provides each manufacturer with the new, broader range of affected airbags. What should you do? If you have a recalled car, expect a letter in the mail, even if you didn’t buy it new. The car industry uses NEVDIS (National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System) which is the database of Australian driver and vehicle information to contact owners of recalled cars. The industry code of conduct says three letters should be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle; the third and final letter is sent by registered post if the repair has not been made within six months. Should you disable the airbag in the meantime? Safety experts advise not to tamper with the airbag. How do I find out if my car is affected? Go to recalls.gov.au and click on the “cars” link and then click on your brand of car. If you’re unsure what make, model, and year your car is, all the information is on your car registration form. Still in doubt? Visit the service centre of a dealership and they can tell you if your car is affected. Or see our list below. Will the recall cost me anything? All recall work is free of charge. The repairs themselves take about 90 minutes but the dealership service centre may want your car for a day while dealing with the backlog. What about Holden and Ford? Although General Motors (Holden’s parent company) and Ford are affected in the US, both companies say cars sold in Australia are so far not caught up in the Takata airbag recall. Takata airbags: the recalled models so far Chrysler 300C sedan 2005 to 2007BMW 3 Series 1997 to 2006Honda Jazz 2004 to 2009Honda Accord Euro 2004 to 2007Honda CR-V 2002 to 2008Honda Civic 2004 to 2005Lexus SC430 2001 to 2003Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK 2014Nissan N16 Pulsar 2000 to 2006Nissan D22 Navara 1997 to 2004Nissan Y61 Patrol 1997 to 2010Nissan T30 X-TRAIL 2001 to 2007Nissan A33 Maxima 1999 to 2003Subaru Impreza 2004 to 2007Toyota Echo 2003 to 2005Toyota RAV4 2003 to 2005Toyota Corolla 2003 to 2007Toyota Yaris 2005 to 2007Toyota Avensis 2003 to 2007reca

More than 1.1 million cars have been called back to dealers for rectification work that varies from serious (a brake failure) to silly (windscreen wipers).And although 2014 is likely to be the first big sales dip since the Global Financial Crisis, the number of new car sold is also likely to top 1.1 million.The last time more cars were recalled than sold in a year was 2001.It's been a bad year for recalls globally too.General Motors has recalled 2.59 million cars because of an ignition fault so far linked to at least 30 deaths, as part of a recall of 13.8 million cars this year for other ignition problems or keys slipping out of position.But the biggest of all is the Takata airbag recall which has so far been linked to six deaths after shrapnel fired from the airbags.It's a big problem because Takata supplies 20 per cent of the world's airbags and it has taken in cars made by Honda, Toyota, Mazda, BMW, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors.More than 18 million cars around the world have been recalled for the Takata airbag problem including 110,000 in Australia.Meantime the dubious honour of most recalls this year is a dead heat between Holden and Jeep with a record 14 each. Never before has any brand recalled so many cars in one year.Market leader Toyota was next with nine recalls ahead of Mitsubishi 8, Nissan 6, Ford 4, Volkswagen 4, Hyundai 3, Mazda 3, Land Rover 3 and Peugeot with 2.Then again the year isn't quite over yet. There may be more.

The company reports an engine oil pump problem that could lead to severe engine damage. The global recall affects 2013-model M5, M6 coupe and M6 convertibles.Luckily, the 20 Australian cars are either still on the boat from Germany or in Australia but yet to be delivered, says BMW Australia spokesman Piers Scott. “There are 20 cars affected but because these relate only to a set production period, every one of those cars is either still to be delivered or not yet in the country,'' he says."So there is not a single Australian owner or customer affected.'' BMW sent out a technical service message to dealers over the weekend. It says it found a “manufacturing defect'' in the oil pump through its quality checks. The affected models were built this year between July and September.The recalled cars are equipped a turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine that BMW internally calls the S63TR. BMW says that cars with the faulty pump could suddenly lose oil pressure, triggering severe engine damage. "Because of this potential, BMW and its dealers will stop delivery of all affected vehicles until the recall repair has been completed,'' BMW says in an emailed statement.The company did not say how many cars are affected. BMW has boasted that the S63TR is the most powerful engine it has built for its high-performance M division. At 412kW/680Nm, it has 10 per cent more power and torque than its previous V10 engine but has a 30 per cent reduction in fuel consumption. BMW's M5 costs $230,000 and the M6, which arrives next month, about $300,000. 

Following a recall two days ago for a brake defect, BMW has issued another that affects more than 500,000 vehicles worldwide and 17,500 in AustraliaThe German carmaker has issued a wide-ranging recall on more than 500,000 vehicles across several of its model lines – including about 17,500 cars in Australia -- ranging from the 1-Series to the Z4 sports car.  The cause of the problem is a faulty battery cable connector, which may fail over time. The recall follows one from two days ago for a faulty brake hose that affected 1600 of BMW’s X5 SUVs in Australia.BMW says the latest recall is for the connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box, which on the affected vehicles may degrade over time due to high current flow and heat from electrical resistance. Should this occur, there could be a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, causing it to stall and possibly crash.“Vibrations in the car can cause poor connection and electrical issues as a result,” BMW spokesman Scott Croaker says. “In the main, those problems would be flickering lights or the vehicle failing to restart after it’s stopped. But in absolute extreme cases, it could lead to the car stalling while driving.”Croaker says there has been one field report of the problem in an Australian vehicle, and another in Canada. “Give the nature of it, it’s an important thing to take very seriously – we can’t rule out that these are isolated cases so we’ve taken this action. We’re not trying to sweep anything under the rug we take the responsibility very seriously.”The recall affects:2007-2012 BMW 1-Series Coupes and 1-Series Convertibles built from December 2007 through July 2011.2007-2011 BMW 3-Series sedans built from March 2007 through October 2011.2007-2011 3-Series Sports Wagons built from March 2007 through June 2011.2007-2011 BMW 3-Series Coupes and 3-Series Convertibles built from March 2007 through July 2011.2009-2011 Z4 roadsters built from March 2009 through June 2011.BMW is in the process of notifying owners of the affected vehicles. They will be requested to take their cars to their nearest BMW dealership, which will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. 

Japanese company Takata, which manufactures 20 per cent of the car industry’s airbags, has finally admitted to a US hearing overnight that the number of faulty airbags is much greater than it originally forecast.The number of affected vehicles has now climbed to a staggering 53 million worldwide, including 34 million in the US alone.The car brands that are affected include Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors.So far, at least 556,000 cars have been recalled in Australia to have their Takata airbags replaced, but that figure is set to rise following the developments in the US which has dramatically expanded the number of affected vehicles.At least six overseas deaths have so far been linked to the faulty airbags which can spray metal shards if the airbag detonator has been exposed to moisture due to a fault in the manufacturing process.Until now Takata had claimed there was no fault, or that the problems had been fixed in its manufacturing process.But as recently as November 2014, Takata was accused of destroying evidence of internal testing of potentially faulty airbags.The recall is so massive not all car companies have been able to calculate which models are affectedThe Takata turnaround comes as authorities in the US are now trying to remove airbags from cars in junkyards so that the potentially faulty airbags don't end up being fitted to another, roadworthy car.Despite the horrific consequences, US and Australian authorities have so far refused to ground the potentially affected cars.The recall is so massive not all car companies have been able to calculate which models are affected, and some have admitted the replacement airbags won't be fitted until next year, because they can't be built fast enough."Replacement parts are presently being prepared and, due to the number of vehicles impacted globally, it is anticipated that sufficient parts will be available to commence recall repairs by early next year," said Toyota's media statement.Toyota, the world's largest car maker, last week recalled a further 5 million cars globally, including 181,000 in Australia, bringing the number of locally-affected Takata airbag-equipped Toyotas to 207,000.Honda Australia has also expanded its recall to include 109,000 cars with potentially faulty passenger airbags and 22,000 cars with potentially faulty driver airbags. It brings the total number of Hondas recalled in Australia with Takata airbags to 188,000.Honda Australia says it has not been advised from Japan if the latest Takata developments will lead to a further increase in the number of vehicles recalled.Nissan Australia has now recalled a total of 156,000 cars equipped with Takata airbags, and also says it is yet to receive information on further recalls.US company Chrysler has recalled 4500 examples of its 300C sedan made in 2006 and 2007.The car industry will struggle to contact owners of the affected vehicles because most cars are no longer with the original buyersThe Takata airbag recalls are due to the potential that, depending on the vehicle, either the driver's or passenger's airbag inflators may be susceptible to moisture intrusion over time."If this happens, this could potentially make the inflator assembly prone to rupture during an accident, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant," said the Toyota media statement.To date, all of the car brands involved in the international recalls so there have been no incidents, injuries or deaths reported in Australia.However, adding to the recall drama, the car industry will struggle to contact owners of the affected vehicles because most cars are no longer with the original buyers, given that they are typically made between 2003 and 2007 and now on the used-car market.Motorists concerned they may be driving an affected car have been advised to search the recalls.gov.au website and check if their particular make and model is being recalled.However, since this article was published the recalls.gov.au website has been overwhelmed by web traffic and numerous users have reported that the site was unable to be opened. The full list of cars we know are affected are listed below. Even though it is part of General Motors, Holden says its Australian-delivered vehicles are not affected.Ford says it is yet to be notified of any recall action following the new, broader scope of the overseas Takata recall campaign.News Corp Australia was waiting on feedback from Mazda, BMW and Mercedes-Benz as this article was published, to find out how many -- if any -- cars are affected locally.Chrysler 300C sedan 2006 to 2007Honda Jazz 2004 to 2009Honda Accord Euro 2004 to 2007Honda CR-V 2002 to 2008Honda Civic 2004 to 2005Nissan N16 PulsarNissan D22 NavaraNissan Y61 PatrolNissan T30 X-TRAILNissan A33 MaximaToyota Echo 2003 to 2005Toyota RAV4 2003 to 2005Toyota Corolla 2003 to 2007Toyota Yaris 2005 to 2007Toyota Avensis 2003 to 2007

The recall, affecting about 1600 vehicles in Australia built from January 1 2007 to March 5 2010, is part of a global defect notice on 35,000 X5s in the US and Canada.BMW says a vacuum hose leading to the brake booster has the potential to bleed oil into it, damaging an internal rubber membrane and leading to the loss of power braking assistance.If that happens, the car can only be effectively braked if the driver pushes the pedal extremely hard – and with some drivers unable to exert enough pressure there is the risk of the vehicle not stopping soon enough or in a short enough distance to avoid collision.“The immediate fix is to replace the hose with a modified that eliminates the problem,” BMW spokesman Scott Croaker says. “However if oil has got into the booster, we will replace the whole booster.”The problem was discovered when overseas warranty claims increased, and Croaker says there have been no brake failure incidents reported in Australia.Owners of affected vehicles should contact their nearest BMW service centre, or call the BMW Australia Customer Service on 1800 813 299. 

The widespread recall affecting more than 3.4 million vehicles from several different makes has now hit German luxury brand BMW.According to the carmaker, roughly 220,000 of its 2002 and 2003 3-Series models have been affected by the recall worldwide, including 3300 of the popular BMW 3 Series in Australia.The recall is due to a defective airbag from Japanese supplier Takata Corp. Other makes with vehicles featuring the defective airbag include Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan, Pontiac and Toyota.The root of the problem is an airbag inflator that deteriorates over time. This can cause the inflator to rupture when the airbag is triggered, which in turn can cause injury to occupants by pieces of the inflator breaking off and turning into projectiles.For BMW, the recall affects 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles around the world from the 2002 and 2003 model years, and the airbag in question is the passenger side frontal unit.BMW is in the process of notifying owners affected by the recall. Once replacement parts are available, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger airbag, free of charge.www.motorauthority.com