BMW Oz to replace 900 water pumps

BMW North America’s recall to replace the water pumps in more than 32,000 late-model vehicles due to a fire risk has spread to Australia, where the German luxury brand has confirmed that up to 900 high-end models are affected.

Last week BMW filed documents with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announcing the recall of high-performance versions of its X5 and X6 crossovers, the 5 Series and 5 Series Gran Turismo, and the flagship 7 Series limousine.

It said a circuit board within the electric auxiliary water pump of model year 2008 to 2011 vehicles powered by turbocharged V8 or V12 engines could overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine bay.

BMW is expected to begin its recall, which will include the replacement of affected water pumps, in the US this month.

BMW Australia told GoAuto the problem will be classed as a technical campaign rather than a safety recall here – where the 2008-2011 X5 M, X6 M, X5 xDrive50i, X6 xDrive50i, 550i sedan, 750i/750Li sedan and top-shelf 760Li limousine (but not the 5 Series GT) are affected.

“It’s a technical campaign – a simple replacement of the water pump, to be carried out through normal servicing, at no cost to customers,” said BMW Group Australia head of corporate communications Piers Scott.

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, BMW has not issued a product safety recall in Australia since December 2006.