The defect
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
The risk
OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.
The remedy
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW 5 Series | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 |
| BMW 6 Series | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 |
| BMW M5 | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 |
| BMW M6 | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
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 5 Series | 2004 | 64 | 6 |
| BMW 5 Series | 2005 | 21 | 4 |
| BMW 5 Series | 2006 | 85 | 7 |
| BMW 5 Series | 2007 | 13 | 3 |
| BMW 5 Series | 2008 | 105 | 3 |
| BMW 5 Series | 2009 | 8 | 3 |
| BMW 5 Series | 2010 | 6 | 5 |
| BMW 6 Series | 2004 | 3 | 4 |
| BMW 6 Series | 2005 | 7 | 3 |
| BMW 6 Series | 2006 | 5 | 5 |
| BMW 6 Series | 2007 | 2 | 3 |
| BMW 6 Series | 2008 | 6 | 2 |
| BMW 6 Series | 2009 | 0 | 2 |
| BMW 6 Series | 2010 | 0 | 2 |
| BMW M5 | 2006 | 39 | 1 |
| BMW M5 | 2007 | 6 | 1 |
| BMW M5 | 2008 | 6 | 2 |
| BMW M5 | 2009 | 0 | 2 |
| BMW M5 | 2010 | 1 | 2 |
| BMW M6 | 2007 | 7 | 1 |
| BMW M6 | 2008 | 2 | 1 |
| BMW M6 | 2009 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW M6 | 2010 | 0 | 1 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2012
47 of the 583 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2012 concerned the electrical system; BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC filed 89 campaigns in all.
| 12V596000 20 Dec 2012 | Airstream, Inc. |
| 12V573000 11 Dec 2012 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 12V571000 7 Dec 2012 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC |
| 12V566000 6 Dec 2012 | Winnebago Industries Inc. |
| 12V559000 3 Dec 2012 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES INC. |
| 12V555000 3 Dec 2012 | HINO MOTORS SALES U.S.A., INC. |
| 12V547000 23 Nov 2012 | SETRA OF NORTH AMERICA |
| 12V541000 20 Nov 2012 | STARCRAFT RV, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2012