BMW of North America, LLC: Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
BMW of North America, LLC reported this defect to federal regulators on Feb 7, 2013 and put the number of vehicles at risk at 516,791. The repair is free for as long as the recall stands.
The defect
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.
The risk
If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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 [email protected].
23 model years covered
Newest first| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Fires | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 BMW 128i | 31 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| 2012 BMW 135i | 19 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 BMW 128i | 50 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| 2011 BMW 135i | 27 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| 2011 BMW 328i | 579 | 7 | 26 | 19 |
| 2011 BMW 335i | 98 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
| 2011 BMW Z4 | 46 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 BMW 128i | 22 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| 2010 BMW 135i | 15 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 BMW 328i | 155 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| 2010 BMW 335i | 41 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 2010 BMW Z4 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 BMW 128i | 26 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 BMW 135i | 29 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 BMW 328i | 193 | 6 | 10 | 6 |
| 2009 BMW 335i | 85 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
| 2009 BMW Z4 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 BMW 128i | 18 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| 2008 BMW 135i | 51 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| 2008 BMW 328i | 239 | 5 | 22 | 7 |
| 2008 BMW 335i | 201 | 4 | 8 | 6 |
| 2007 BMW 328i | 399 | 6 | 28 | 11 |
| 2007 BMW 335i | 288 | 5 | 9 | 6 |
What this page is, and what to do next
A recall is not an opinion. It is a Part 573 report a manufacturer is required by federal law to file once it decides a defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety, and it commits them to repairing the vehicle at no cost to the owner. The three passages above are the manufacturer’s own wording as published by NHTSA.
This page describes the campaign. It cannot tell you whether one particular car has already been through the shop — that is tracked by VIN, and only the manufacturer knows it. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a franchised dealer, quoting campaign number 13V044000.
Full record for the 2012 BMW 128i → · Recalls carrying a do-not-drive advisory → · Where this data comes from →