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BMW ActiveE Recalls

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Recall Date Problem Area Recall Text
04/04/13 Transmission and Drivetrain BMW is recalling certain model year 2011 1-series activee passenger vehicles manufactured august 17, 2011, through december 19, 2011. due to an insufficient sealing of the drivetrain housing assembly there may be a lack of grease lubrication on the gear shaft that transfers power from the electric motor to the transmission.

Over time, the connection between the electric motor and the transmission may wear, possibly resulting in a sudden loss of vehicle propulsion. this could increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

BMW will notify owners by telephone, and dealers will inspect the drivetrain connection and update the sealing system. any worn electric motor gearing will be replaced. the recall began on april 4, 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.
08/28/12 Suspension and Steering BMW is recalling certain model year 2011 1-series active e and model year 2012 z4 vehicles. variations in electrical current may occur within the electric power steering assistance system, leading to sudden loss of power steering assistance.

Sudden loss of steering assistance may increase the steering effort required to control the direction of a vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering assistance module, free of charge. the safety recall began during july 2012. owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417.

Customers may 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 ActiveE 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.