The defect
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
The risk
Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW 528i | 2008, 2009, 2010 |
| BMW 535i | 2008, 2009, 2010 |
| BMW 550i | 2008, 2009, 2010 |
| BMW M5 | 2008, 2009, 2010 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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 528i | 2008 | 118 | 2 |
| BMW 528i | 2009 | 23 | 2 |
| BMW 528i | 2010 | 65 | 2 |
| BMW 535i | 2008 | 74 | 1 |
| BMW 535i | 2009 | 71 | 1 |
| BMW 535i | 2010 | 58 | 1 |
| BMW 550i | 2008 | 32 | 2 |
| BMW 550i | 2009 | 2 | 1 |
| BMW 550i | 2010 | 11 | 1 |
| BMW M5 | 2008 | 6 | 2 |
| BMW M5 | 2009 | 0 | 2 |
| BMW M5 | 2010 | 1 | 2 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2013
23 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the exterior lighting; BMW of North America, LLC filed 347 campaigns in all.
| 13V612000 5 Dec 2013 | PACCAR Incorporated |
| 13V569000 22 Nov 2013 | Volkswagen of America, Inc. |
| 13V518000 22 Oct 2013 | Pierce Manufacturing |
| 13V398000 3 Sept 2013 | Oreion Motors LLC. |
| 13V335000 1 Aug 2013 | Ford Motor Company |
| 13V289000 2 Jul 2013 | Chrysler Group LLC |
| 13V278000 28 Jun 2013 | Prevost Cars, Inc. |
| 13V240000 4 Jun 2013 | Chrysler Group LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013