BMW of North America is recalling 2023-2024 740i, 740i xDrive, 760i xDrive, i7 eDrive50, i7 xDrive60, i7 M70, 2024 750e xDrive, 530i, 530i xDrive, i5 eDrive40, and i5 M60 vehicles. During assembly by the supplier Autoliv Romania the ground connection to the steering wheel may not have been attached according to specifications. This could affect the functionality of the hands-on detection system due to the possibility of misreading the electrical capacitance in that location, which means the emergency braking mode of the driver assist system won’t work.
Dealers will inspect and reattach the ground connection as necessary, free of charge as required by enlightened US safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 8 December 2023.
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.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 23V700.
Chronology
- On August 24, 2023, during a vehicle test drive to assess long-term quality, it was noticed that the hands-on detection system appeared to continuously, and erroneously, recognize the presence of the driver’s hands on the steering wheel. An engineering review was initiated.
- Between the end of August and early October, reviews of technical information were conducted by both the supplier and BMW. Additional test drives were also conducted involving other development vehicles equipped with various configurations of steering wheels to examine possible effects on system functionality. The supplier also conducted reviews of their production and process information. The supplier was able to identify that, due to a mis-adjusted drilling process, the bore hole for the fastening of the ground connection to the steering wheel may not have been produced to specifications. As a result, this could cause a loose connection between the ground cable and the steering wheel. Analyses indicated that if such a condition were to exist, the capacitance measurement could provide an erroneous reading. This could affect the functionality of the system which, in turn, could also affect the functionality of the Emergency Stopping Assistant (ESA) system.
- Vehicle assembly information and supplier production and process records were reviewed to determine the number, and production dates, of potentially affected vehicles.
- On 11 October 2023, BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.
- BMW has not received any reports, nor is BMW otherwise aware, of any accidents or injuries related to this safety defect.
BMW Recalls 2023-24 Driver Assist Systems
BMW of North America is recalling 2023-2024 740i, 740i xDrive, 760i xDrive, i7 eDrive50, i7 xDrive60, i7 M70, 2024 750e xDrive, 530i, 530i xDrive, i5 eDrive40, and i5 M60 vehicles. During assembly by the supplier Autoliv Romania the ground connection to the steering wheel may not have been attached according to specifications. This could affect the functionality of the hands-on detection system due to the possibility of misreading the electrical capacitance in that location, which means the emergency braking mode of the driver assist system won’t work.
Dealers will inspect and reattach the ground connection as necessary, free of charge as required by enlightened US safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 8 December 2023.
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.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 23V700.
Chronology