The defect
BMW of North America, LLC, (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2013 X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2011-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles, and 2011 x6 ActiveHybrid Vehicles. Water and debris may enter the front driveshaft's universal joint, causing excessive wear and possibly resulting in the joint's failure.
The risk
If the front universal joint fails, the front wheels would not be driven, affecting vehicle traction. Additionally, continued driving of the vehicle with a broken front universal joint may damage other components. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW X5 | 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| BMW X6 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 |
| BMW X6 Activehybrid SAC | 2011 |
Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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 X5 | 2011 | 263 | 14 |
| BMW X5 | 2012 | 271 | 10 |
| BMW X5 | 2013 | 149 | 6 |
| BMW X6 | 2011 | 31 | 11 |
| BMW X6 | 2012 | 32 | 7 |
| BMW X6 | 2013 | 25 | 5 |
| BMW X6 | 2014 | 11 | 3 |
| BMW X6 Activehybrid SAC | 2011 | 0 | 8 |
Other power train recalls in 2017
47 of the 810 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2017 concerned the power train; BMW of North America, LLC filed 347 campaigns in all.
| 17V840000 22 Dec 2017 | PACCAR Incorporated |
| 17V821000 20 Dec 2017 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) |
| 17V796000 11 Dec 2017 | Aston Martin The Americas |
| 17V730000 17 Nov 2017 | Daimler Trucks North America LLC |
| 17V706000 9 Nov 2017 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 17V702000 6 Nov 2017 | Crysteel Manufacturing Inc |
| 17V671000 24 Oct 2017 | Ford Motor Company |
| 17V669000 23 Oct 2017 | Ford Motor Company |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2017