The “Toyota effect” of increased recalls after record fines imposed by NHTSA continues at all automakers.
BMW is expanding an earlier recall for braking failure to more than 30,000 2007-2010 model X5 sport utility vehicles equipped with a V8 engine. The German automaker had previously recalled 5-, 6-, and 7- Series models in 2010 for the same problem, although the routing of the vacuum line was horizontal rather than vertical.
In all cases, the safety defect is caused by the brake vacuum pump, which may leak lubricating oil into the vacuum hose causing it to fail, resulting in a loss of power assist braking. BMW said an analysis of what were increasing rates of warranty claims eventually lead to the latest recall.
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve, free of charge as is required by U.S. safety regulations. 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 or go to www.safercar.gov.
Read AutoInformed on BMW Follows Toyota by Paying $3 Million Fine for not Reporting Known Safety Defects within Five Days to NHTSA
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
