The defect
BMW IS RECALLING 2,500 MY 2008-2009 M3 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH AN OPTIONAL DOUBLE CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM INVOLVES THE DOUBLE CLUTCH GEARBOX. IN A SITUATION OF RAPID VEHICLE DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE MAY PERFORM A MULTISTAGE DOWNSHIFT.
The risk
IN THAT SITUATION, AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW M3 | 2008, 2009 |
Components: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW M3 | 2008 | 82 | 5 |
| BMW M3 | 2009 | 45 | 5 |
Other power train recalls in 2008
32 of the 683 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2008 concerned the power train; BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC filed 89 campaigns in all.
| 08V665000 16 Dec 2008 | MANAC |
| 08V660000 15 Dec 2008 | TRAILMOBILE CANADA LIMITED |
| 08V635000 3 Dec 2008 | LAND ROVER |
| 08V621000 24 Nov 2008 | M H EBY, INC. |
| 08V605000 14 Nov 2008 | SEAGRAVE FIRE APPARATUS, LLC |
| 08V591000 14 Nov 2008 | PIERCE MANUFACTURING |
| 08V583000 6 Nov 2008 | CHRYSLER LLC |
| 08V528000 9 Oct 2008 | CHRYSLER LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2008