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BMW 1-Series Recalls

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Recall Date Problem Area Recall Text
04/21/17 BMW of north america, llc (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i coupe, 1 series m coupe and 135i convertible vehicles, 2011 z4 sdrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i coupe, 335is coupe, 335i convertible, 335is convertible, 535i, 535i xdrive, 535i gran turismo and 550i xdrive gran turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740li vehicles. the rear driveshaft constant velocity (cv) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.

If the cv joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft cv joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. the recall began april 21, 2017. owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
03/13/13 BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-series coupes and convertibles manufactured december 2007 through september 2011; and 2007-2011 3-series coupes and convertibles manufactured march 2007 through october 2011; 2007-2011 3-series sedans manufactured march 2007 through october 2011; 2007-2011 3-series sports wagons manufactured march 2007 through june 2011; and 2009-2011 z4 vehicles manufactured march 2009 through june 2011. in february 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. in july 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-series, 3-series, and z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. the total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. the connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. the recall began on march 13, 2013. owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at customerrelations@BMWusa.com.

Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
12/31/69 BMW of north america, llc (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xdrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, x3 3.0si, x3 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive30i, z4 3.0i, z4 3.0si and z4 sdrive30i vehicles. the heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) valve may short circuit.

An electrical short can cause the parts within the pcv valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pcv valve heater, free of charge. the recall is expected to begin december 18, 2017. owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
09/24/14 Engine BMW of north america, llc (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i coupe, 128i convertible, 328i sedan, 328i xdrive sedan, 328i coupe, 328i convertible, 328i sports wagon and z4 sdrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i coupe, 135i convertible, 335i sedan, x5 xdrive 35i, and x6 xdrive 35i, 2011 335i xdrive sedan, 335i coupe, 335i convertible, 528i sedan, 535i sedan, 535i xdrive sedan, x3 xdrive 28i, and x3 xdrive 35i, 2010 x3 xdrive 30i, and x5 xdrive 30i, 2012 640i coupe, and 640i convertible and 2010-2012 535i gran turismo vehicles. in the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (vanos) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.

If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. an engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four vanos housing bolts for both vanos units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. in addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. the recall began on september 24, 2014. owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
03/13/13 Electrical and Air Conditioning BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-series coupes and convertibles manufactured december 2007 through september 2011; and 2007-2011 3-series coupes and convertibles manufactured march 2007 through october 2011; 2007-2011 3-series sedans manufactured march 2007 through october 2011; 2007-2011 3-series sports wagons manufactured march 2007 through june 2011; and 2009-2011 z4 vehicles manufactured march 2009 through june 2011. in february 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. in july 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-series, 3-series, and z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. the total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. the connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. the recall began on march 13, 2013. owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at customerrelations@BMWusa.com.

Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
09/16/09 Electrical and Air Conditioning BMW is recalling 2,350 my 2008 1-series and 3- series passenger cars. incorrect crimp connectors may have been used on the side air bag and belt tensioner wiring. as a result sufficient contact between the crimp connectors and the corresponding plug may not occur which could lead to an increase in the electrical resistance of that connection.

If that happened, it would be possible for the side air bag and/or the safety belt tensioner not to deploy and will not be able to properly protect an occupant, increasing the risk of injuries.

BMW will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. the safety recall began on september 16, 2009. owners may contact BMW customer relations and services toll-free at 1-800-525-7417.

Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .
08/23/10 Other BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 1-series vehicles. in a crash of sufficient severity, deployment of the front pre-tensioner and load-limiter occurs.

The insulation around the pre-tensioner could ignite.

Vehicles produced up through december 2009 will receive new front safety belt retractor units and a modification to the sound insulation near the units, while vehicles produced between january 2010 and may 2010 will receive a modification to the sound insulation near the units. this service will be performed free of charge. the safety recall began on august 23, 2010. owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .
09/16/09 Other BMW is recalling 2,350 my 2008 1-series and 3- series passenger cars. incorrect crimp connectors may have been used on the side air bag and belt tensioner wiring. as a result sufficient contact between the crimp connectors and the corresponding plug may not occur which could lead to an increase in the electrical resistance of that connection.

If that happened, it would be possible for the side air bag and/or the safety belt tensioner not to deploy and will not be able to properly protect an occupant, increasing the risk of injuries.

BMW will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. the safety recall began on september 16, 2009. owners may contact BMW customer relations and services toll-free at 1-800-525-7417.

Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .

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BMW 1-Series Recalls

Some things are often misunderstood about recalls and technical service bulletins (TSBs). Plus a disclaimer.

  1. Recalls do not have to be issued only because something is prone to failure. NHTSA (a government agency) can only require a recall if a failure will affect safety, emissions, fuel economy, or compliance with some other regulation or law. Manufacturers can voluntarily recall cars for problems that do not affect these, though.
  2. Recalls often apply to only some cars of a specific model year, rather than all of them. You should receive a letter from the manufacturer if your car has been recalled. You can also check with the dealer, which will know which (if any) recalls pertain to your car.
  3. The primary purpose of TSBs is to inform dealers about known problems with a car and how to fix them. They are not the same as recalls. As with recalls, TSBs often only apply to some cars, not the entire model year.
  4. Dealers often will not provide a preventive repair just because a problem described in a TSB might happen to your car. They'll usually want to observe symptoms that the problem is already affecting your car.
  5. Even if there are symptoms, a manufacturer doesn't have to pick up the cost of a TSB repair if the car is out of warranty, though sometimes they do.

We provide the text of recalls and TSBs as provided by NHTSA. There can be errors in the text. If you sign up for notifications in My Garage, we will try to get these to do, but for various reasons (some beyond our control) cannot guarantee you will receive them. When in doubt about a recall or TSB, contact the dealer.