Technical Recall

[Teezoh]

Can read more about it here:

BMW recalls 331,000 cars

BMW is recalling at least 331,000 vehicles globally due over an engine defect that presents a fire risk.

topauto.co.za

 

[shabsta]

 

[Teezoh]

So far from what I can gather after some digging:

"The recalled BMW models are:

• 2019-2022 Z4
• 2019-2021 330I
• 2020-2022 X3
• 2020-2022 X4
• 2020-2022 530I
• 2021-2022 430I standard and convertible
• 2022 230I

The recall also affects 1,469 2020-2022 Toyota Supra vehicles manufactured by BMW."

Best to go check your VIN though.

 

[msm]

So far from what I can gather after some digging:

"The recalled BMW models are:

• 2019-2022 Z4
• 2019-2021 330I
• 2020-2022 X3
• 2020-2022 X4
• 2020-2022 530I
• 2021-2022 430I standard and convertible
• 2022 230I

The recall also affects 1,469 2020-2022 Toyota Supra vehicles manufactured by BMW."

Best to go check your VIN though.

From that list, it looks like it's related to the B48 engines

 

[MR_Y]

BMW SA emailed me now.
They say that my car is affected (2018 G01 X3 20d xDrive).
I called BMW Midrand and they said that they have no listing of my car on the recall list.
I am trying to contact BMW SA to sort out this confusion.
My car is out of plan, but the recall (if applicable) will result in a new starter motor being fitted at no cost to me.

Latest article here: https://iol.co.za/motoring/industry...sands-of-vehicles-over-starter-motor-concerns

Excerpt from email sent by BMW SA to me today:

The quality of your BMW is our top priority. For this reason, the BMW Group continuously carries out product checks. It has been discovered that the starter motor of the engine in your BMW needs to be replaced. While the number of known incidents relating to faults with the starter motor remains extremely low, BMW (South Africa) (Pty) Limited (“BMW SA”) is conducting a recall to replace the affected component.​

This recall is required as water may enter your vehicle's starter motor at certain points and cause corrosion, which may prevent the engine from starting. This condition can, in extremely rare instances, also lead to a short circuit in the starter motor, which could result in localised overheating at the starter motor. In the worst case scenario, although unlikely, this may result in a fire in the vicinity of the starter motor, which can occur even when the vehicle is parked.​

In the interest of your safety and that of other road users, please immediately arrange a workshop appointment with a BMW Service Partner. The replacement of the starter motor will be performed at no cost to you.​

WHAT TO EXPECT?​ The following could be indicators of a faulty starter motor in your vehicle:​ You experience difficulty in starting the vehicle.​ The vehicle displays a starter malfunction to you.​ Your vehicle has an unexpected dead battery (due to a battery current draw fault).​

OBSERVE THE PRECAUTIONS BELOW​ Until the starter motor in your vehicle has been replaced as part of the recall, BMW SA cautions you to observe the following precautions:​ You should avoid driving through water that may result in submersion of the starter motor, particularly with a chance of the vehicle remaining submerged for an extended period.​ Your vehicle may be parked under any structure; however, be aware that in the unlikely event of a thermal event, damage to persons or property may occur.​

BMW SA apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates your cooperation in this matter.​

 

[Nastaliq]

what is a thermal event?
Lightning?
Snow?
Rain?

 

[MR_Y]

So, seems like a lot of confusion at BMW....

1. Automatic Email from BMW SA sent to me today says that my car is affected by the recall and I need to book the car in.

2. I phone BMW Midrand and they say I am not on the recall list.

3. I then email BMW SA and they then reply that there is no recall on my car 😲

4. When I email BMW SA back and ask why did they auto send the recall email initially, they then email me back saying that the recall has only become effective as of today. The email (point 3 above) they sent on my query was based on my recall status before today 🤔. They also confirm that BMW Midrand may have been referring to my recall status before today - ie. Showing no recall.

5. After all the back and forth above, BMW SA confirmed that my car is indeed on the recall list (effective as of today) and that I need to contact BMW Midrand urgently to set up a booking for the replacement starter motor.

I will call BMW Midrand tomorrow and get the booking sorted out.

On another point, I also contacted my insurance company to make them aware of the recall and that I am taking steps to book the car in. If any issue arises, at least they cannot claim to not have known about the recall.

 

[rodga]

https://www.bmw.co.za/en/service-portal/bmw-technical-campaigns.html

 

[momoPike]

So, seems like a lot of confusion at BMW....

1. Automatic Email from BMW SA sent to me today says that my car is affected by the recall and I need to book the car in.

2. I phone BMW Midrand and they say I am not on the recall list.

3. I then email BMW SA and they then reply that there is no recall on my car

4. When I email BMW SA back and ask why did they auto send the recall email initially, they then email me back saying that the recall has only become effective as of today. The email (point 3 above) they sent on my query was based on my recall status before today . They also confirm that BMW Midrand may have been referring to my recall status before today - ie. Showing no recall.

5. After all the back and forth above, BMW SA confirmed that my car is indeed on the recall list (effective as of today) and that I need to contact BMW Midrand urgently to set up a booking for the replacement starter motor.

I will call BMW Midrand tomorrow and get the booking sorted out.

On another point, I also contacted my insurance company to make them aware of the recall and that I am taking steps to book the car in. If any issue arises, at least they cannot claim to not have known about the recall.

Got the same mail. Not super excited to speak to BMW Northcliff but will try see if I can sort it out in the next week or two

 

[AshG108]

Myself and my brother in law got the mail for the recall for both our X3s. Going to also get it booked in to check.

 

[MR_Y]

So, seems like a lot of confusion at BMW....

1. Automatic Email from BMW SA sent to me today says that my car is affected by the recall and I need to book the car in.

2. I phone BMW Midrand and they say I am not on the recall list.

3. I then email BMW SA and they then reply that there is no recall on my car 😲

4. When I email BMW SA back and ask why did they auto send the recall email initially, they then email me back saying that the recall has only become effective as of today. The email (point 3 above) they sent on my query was based on my recall status before today 🤔. They also confirm that BMW Midrand may have been referring to my recall status before today - ie. Showing no recall.

5. After all the back and forth above, BMW SA confirmed that my car is indeed on the recall list (effective as of today) and that I need to contact BMW Midrand urgently to set up a booking for the replacement starter motor.

I will call BMW Midrand tomorrow and get the booking sorted out.

On another point, I also contacted my insurance company to make them aware of the recall and that I am taking steps to book the car in. If any issue arises, at least they cannot claim to not have known about the recall.

I called BMW Midrand now.
They confirmed my car is indeed showing now as being on the recall list.
Apologised for the confusion yesterday where they said it was not on the list.

They said that given the high volumes of cars subject to the recall, they need to still order all the required parts from BMW SA. No date given as to when the parts will arrive.

They assured me that the risk is minimal, but I need to monitor my car for the symptoms.

They will call me when the parts arrive and schedule a booking then.

My insurance are aware of this issue and I made them aware of the parts delay as well. Comms from insurance:

Based on what you’ve shared, you can carry on driving as advised by BMW Midrand, and it’s great that you’re arranging the recall work. If anything changes (like BMW asks you to stop driving) or you notice any warning signs, please let us know.

A couple of quick notes to keep things smooth from an insurance point of view:
- Keep a record of the recall notice and any booking/repair documents from BMW Midrand.
- If there’s any incident (even something small), please let us know as soon as you can via the Naked app so we can guide you on the next steps.

Given my mileage and use so far (I don't drive through water) , I am not too concerned about this issue. But, the risk, even if minimal, is still there.

 

[Nastaliq]

I think all things considered, and I have read the recall notice properly as my wife has a 3 series, the risk is low.
Free starter motor for all affected cars is not a bad outcome for low risk.
these things are expensive and are being damaged significantly by the BS stop/start.

Win for you, and apparently given the inbuilt cost of MP from new, win for BMW as well.

they have been plagued by safety issues and product recalls recently.
QA is a problem now and if BMW dont watch out, they will end up like mercedes.

 

[MR_Y]

I think all things considered, and I have read the recall notice properly as my wife has a 3 series, the risk is low.
Free starter motor for all affected cars is not a bad outcome for low risk.
these things are expensive and are being damaged significantly by the BS stop/start.

Win for you, and apparently given the inbuilt cost of MP from new, win for BMW as well.

they have been plagued by safety issues and product recalls recently.
QA is a problem now and if BMW dont watch out, they will end up like mercedes.

Agree.
In unlikely event of fire damage, I wonder how some insurers will react if it is a known manufacturer issue

 

[MR_Y]

I can confirm now that BMW Midrand have stock of the new starter motors.

They called me today to make the booking.

Note that this is at no cost to the client (my car is out of Plan).

 

[Teezoh]

As a side note to everyone taking their cars in. Once you do so, ask them to check your battery too, since they said “BMW will replace the faulty starter motor, with some models also receiving a new battery”, some of you might just get lucky and fall under the "some models" category.