NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
55 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 25, 2021
Engine
The car is burning oil badly and making an annoying squeaking noise due to a valve cover gasket failure. I took the car to the BMW dealership for diagnosis and I’ve been told it’s a common problem with ALL BMW once they reach 50k miles and up. The mechanic said it’s because the part is made with a cheap plastic and it’s get wor…
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The car is burning oil badly and making an annoying squeaking noise due to a valve cover gasket failure. I took the car to the BMW dealership for diagnosis and I’ve been told it’s a common problem with ALL BMW once they reach 50k miles and up. The mechanic said it’s because the part is made with a cheap plastic and it’s get worn easily by the heat . It’s cost up to 2000 dollars to fix, BMW should have a recall to resolve the issue.
NHTSA ODI #11430568
110,000 miles · Feb 1, 2021
Engine
BMW SAYS THIS CAR HAS A DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN MODULE THAT WILL CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11391048
67,000 miles · Dec 14, 2020
Engine
GOT A CODE FOR LOW PRESSURE AND THEN DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION TOOK IT TO BMW AND THEY TOLD ME I WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT AFTER THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR THEY SAID I WAS NOT. IT IS A 2012 WITH ONLY 67K MILES AND I WAS VERY UPSET WITH BMW. IT IS GETTING FIXED AT A LOCAL GERMAN SHOP RIGHT NOW AND IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF MONEY
NHTSA ODI #11383451
100,000 miles · Nov 4, 2020
EnginePower Train
FAILING TIMING CHAIN. MANUFACTURING DEFECT BUT NOT COVERED BY BMW BECAUSE "THE VIN DOESN'T SHOW AS COVERED IN OUR SYSTEM". SOME OTHER VEHICLES HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE UNTIL 70,000 MILES BUT FOR SOME REASON NOT ALL VIN'S ARE COVERED. PLEASE SEE OTHER ISSUES WITH THE N20 ENGINE ACROSS THE 3 SERIES, 5 SERIES AND X3 AND…
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FAILING TIMING CHAIN. MANUFACTURING DEFECT BUT NOT COVERED BY BMW BECAUSE "THE VIN DOESN'T SHOW AS COVERED IN OUR SYSTEM". SOME OTHER VEHICLES HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE UNTIL 70,000 MILES BUT FOR SOME REASON NOT ALL VIN'S ARE COVERED. PLEASE SEE OTHER ISSUES WITH THE N20 ENGINE ACROSS THE 3 SERIES, 5 SERIES AND X3 AND YOU WILL SEE MANY PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS NEEDS A RECALL. NOT FAIR TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FOR SO MANY CUSTOMERS
NHTSA ODI #11372942
106,000 miles · Oct 19, 2020
Engine
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60MPH THE COMPUTER FLASHED LOW OIL PRESSURE, THEN DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION. THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND MOST COMPLETE POWER TO CAR. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED.
NHTSA ODI #11365129
56,000 miles · Oct 17, 2020
EnginePower TrainCrash
TIMING CHAIN PROBLEMS, THE CAR STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
NHTSA ODI #11364827
127,651 miles · Sep 14, 2020
Engine
I WAS ABOUT A QUARTER MILE FROM MY HOME WHEN MY 2012 328 N20 BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE. THE CAR ALSO STARTED TO IDLE VERY ROUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WENT OFF. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY BMW MECHANIC AND THEY DIAGNOSED AN ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. THEY VERIFIED A NOISE AND A VERY LOOSE TIMING CHAIN. TIMING …
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I WAS ABOUT A QUARTER MILE FROM MY HOME WHEN MY 2012 328 N20 BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE. THE CAR ALSO STARTED TO IDLE VERY ROUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WENT OFF. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY BMW MECHANIC AND THEY DIAGNOSED AN ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. THEY VERIFIED A NOISE AND A VERY LOOSE TIMING CHAIN. TIMING CHAIN AND GUIDE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AT A HIGH COST. MILEAGE IS 127500.
NHTSA ODI #11355036
110,000 miles · Aug 3, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER 30 MINUTES THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND HE DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT STATED 2 WEEKS LATER, HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER 30 MINUTES THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND HE DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT STATED 2 WEEKS LATER, HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #11343093
103,000 miles · Jun 26, 2020
EnginePower Train
I WAS CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY IDRIVE DISPLAYED 'LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING' AND 'DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION,' THE ENGINE WEIRD NOISES BEFORE IT SHUTDOWN AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE I WAS STILL AROUND TRAFFIC. I BARELY MADE IT A SAFE PLACE TO STOP AS I HAD TO COAST UP A HILL AND THEN TURN WITH WHATEVER MOMENTUM I HAD. THE STEER…
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I WAS CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY IDRIVE DISPLAYED 'LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING' AND 'DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION,' THE ENGINE WEIRD NOISES BEFORE IT SHUTDOWN AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE I WAS STILL AROUND TRAFFIC. I BARELY MADE IT A SAFE PLACE TO STOP AS I HAD TO COAST UP A HILL AND THEN TURN WITH WHATEVER MOMENTUM I HAD. THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES WERE EXTREMELY HARD TO MOVE. I GOT MY CAR TOWED AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR CODES SHOWN IN THE ATTACHED SCREENSHOT. HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK AND WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL OTHER MECHANICS AS WELL THAT OIL STARVATION DESTROYED THE ENGINE AS A RESULT OF OIL PUMP FAILURE. NO SIGN OR PREMATURE WEAR WITH A VERY GENEROUS 5,000 MILE OIL & FILTER CHANGE INTERVAL AND BEEN IN THE HANDS OF BMW DEALERSHIPS FOR ALL IT'S LIFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11330954
108,000 miles · Apr 8, 2020
EngineService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROADSHOW BMW (405 N. GERMANTOWN PKWY #6207, CORDOVA, TN 38018, (901) 365-2584) FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF AN OIL LEAK AT THE OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE VACUUM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROADSHOW BMW (405 N. GERMANTOWN PKWY #6207, CORDOVA, TN 38018, (901) 365-2584) FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF AN OIL LEAK AT THE OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP ALSO SHOWED EVIDENCE OF A LEAK. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V454000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 14V627000 (SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. *LN*DT*JB
NHTSA ODI #11320595
Official recalls
6Aug 13, 2024
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:pump
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Jul 3, 2024
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Jan 15, 2020
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Aug 17, 2015
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Oct 7, 2014
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Sep 26, 2013
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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