BMW of North America is recalling more than 100,000 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload.
“In certain cases in which the engine starter has some mechanical damage, the engine may not be able to be started. If the driver repeatedly attempts to start the engine using excessively long starting attempts, this may cause an electrical overload of the starter. If the engine acoustic protection material is contaminated by, e.g. oil, then in an extreme case, the proximity of the starter to the acoustic protection material could lead to a thermal event,” BMW said in the required filing which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made public this morning. “Thermal event” is a fire in recall speak.
Chronology
- In March 2023, after receiving several field reports regarding engine no-start conditions and indications of local thermal damage within the engine compartment, an engineering investigation was initiated. Initial reviews found that there were only a few reports of thermal damage when compared to a larger number of engine no-start conditions. At that time, it was not yet clear if there was a direct relationship between the engine starter and the observed damage within the engine compartment. The field continued to be monitored.
- By August 2023, various groupings of components were established based upon reviews of damaged hardware from the field. Possible fault patterns that could result in the observed damage were discussed.
- By November, additional analyses included a review of the records regarding starter failure and the specific number of attempted engine starts. A review of supplier production records was also conducted. Several additional field incidents were reported.
- Between January and June 2024, further reviews pointed to specific engine starter production configurations that could be associated with the reported field cases. By June, several additional field incidents were reported. Vehicle assembly information and supplier production records were reviewed to determine the number and production dates of potentially affected vehicles.
- On 25 July 2024, BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.
BMW has not received, nor is BMW otherwise aware, of any accidents or injuries related to this issue. BMW is aware of approximately twelve customer complaints and associated field incidents related to this issue.
Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge as required by US safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 23 September 2024. 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 or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA recall 24V576.
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.
BMW Recalls More than 100,000 SUVs, Cars for Software Glitch
BMW of North America is recalling more than 100,000 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload.
“In certain cases in which the engine starter has some mechanical damage, the engine may not be able to be started. If the driver repeatedly attempts to start the engine using excessively long starting attempts, this may cause an electrical overload of the starter. If the engine acoustic protection material is contaminated by, e.g. oil, then in an extreme case, the proximity of the starter to the acoustic protection material could lead to a thermal event,” BMW said in the required filing which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made public this morning. “Thermal event” is a fire in recall speak.
Chronology
BMW has not received, nor is BMW otherwise aware, of any accidents or injuries related to this issue. BMW is aware of approximately twelve customer complaints and associated field incidents related to this issue.
Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge as required by US safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 23 September 2024. 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 or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA recall 24V576.
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.