BMW recalls 19,000 vehicles in Australia

BMW Australia has recalled more than 19,000 cars and SUVs – equivalent to more than a year’s sales by the German marque in this country – to fix potential safety defects in some of its top-selling models.

Only one of the recalls – on 1600 V8-powered X5 large SUVs sold between late 2006 and March 2010 – has been officially announced via the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), but a broader recall involving 17,500 1 Series, X1, 3 Series and Z4 vehicles also has been flagged as part of a global campaign.

BMW says the X5 recall involves a possible brake fault caused by engine oil that could enter the brake booster, where it can damage the internal rubber membrane and impair brake power assistance.

“If the defect occurs, it is then only possible to slow the vehicle with an increased level of brake pedal pressure,” BMW says in its recall statement. “This may pose a hazard to the driver and to other road users.” The defect affects only normally aspirated V8 E70 X5s, with owners being contacted by BMW and asked to book their vehicle into their dealer service centre to have repair work done.

Over the weekend, BMW announced another global recall on other models due to an electrical failure that can cause vehicles to stall.

Although no ACCC notification has yet been issued, BMW Australia public relations and corporate communications head Piers Scott confirmed that the global recall would affect vehicles sold in Australia.

He said the company was in the process of preparing a list of owners of the 17,500 vehicles affected by the problem, in readiness to contact them.

The latest recall affects 1 Series coupes and convertibles, 3 Series sedans, coupes, convertibles and wagons, X1 compact SUVs and Z4 sportscars sold between March 2007 and July 2011.

The problem involves a connector from the battery cable to the power distribution box between the glovebox and the front panel.

Over time, vibration and other factors can deteriorate the connector, leading to a power failure causing the vehicle to stall.

In North America, where the recall involves more than 500,000 vehicles, one minor accident involving a BMW in Canada has been reported.

Mr Scott said BMW would contact Australian owners of affected vehicles as soon as possible, detailing the necessary action.

Last year, BMW Australia sold 18,413 cars and SUVs.