Tuesday 27th March 2012
BMW recalls 1.3 million 5 Series and 6 Series
Battery cable cover could be a fire risk, says BMW
If you own an E60 BMW 5 Series or E63/E64 6 Series built between 2003 and 2010, expect a letter from BMW. The luxury carmaker is recalling 1.3 million vehicles worldwide over fears that some models could catch fire.
"In some remote cases, the battery cable inside the boot may be incorrectly mounted," says BMW. "This can result in the electrical system malfunctioning, the vehicle failing to start and, in some cases, to charring or fire."
But while that sounds alarming, BMW says that fewer than 1 per cent of the vehicles it has checked have exhibited any signs of the trouble. Just nine cases of the wiring issues have been reported and BMW says no injuries or fires have resulted - but it's enough to trigger a recall.
The recalls will be undertaken by dealers and are expected to take between half an hour and an hour. There will be no charge.
The numbers for the recall are pretty vast, though; 109,000 vehicles in the UK, 102,000 in China, 283,000 in Germany and 368,000 in the US.
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Crusoe
Original Poster
2,645 posts
100 months
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Gives BMW good credibility in my eyes, too many companies let dealers look at these sort of things next time they are in for a service and don't tell the owners they are doing any recall work.
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Dave Hedgehog
5,320 posts
73 months
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look how long Renault denied there was an issue with clio bonnets opening at speed ...
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GTiFrank
420 posts
53 months
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What an expensive cock up for BMW. Surprised it's taken so long to come about. I'll be forwarding this link to the old man... thanks for the heads up.
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Johnboy Mac
2,666 posts
47 months
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Just like the recall for rad caps many moons ago, a great marketing tool to update databases and bring traffic into the dealerships. 
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David87
2,386 posts
81 months
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Not really revalent to the topic, but the above E60 M Sport with those 19" wheels looks quite excellent.
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Dr Interceptor
1,471 posts
65 months
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Not at all an opportunity for BMW to get 5 and 6-series owners back into the dealer to look at the new 5 and 6-series 
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Ex Boy Racer
442 posts
61 months
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Johnboy Mac said: Just like the recall for rad caps many moons ago, a great marketing tool to update databases and bring traffic into the dealerships. Wonderful cynicism. Love it!
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TomTVR500
207 posts
30 months
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David87 said: Not really revalent to the topic, but the above E60 M Sport with those 19" wheels looks quite excellent. I was thinking the same thing!
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Tango13
2,602 posts
45 months
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Crusoe said: Gives BMW good credibility in my eyes, too many companies let dealers look at these sort of things next time they are in for a service and don't tell the owners they are doing any recall work. Exactly what I thought when I read the headline. Being prepared to issue a recall in those numbers means BMW are still serious about safety. I read an article in a bike magazine 20 years ago and BMW were top of the list for issuing recalls back then.
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eybic
1,944 posts
43 months
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Dave Hedgehog said: look how long Renault denied there was an issue with clio bonnets opening at speed ... Renault still deny there is an issue, they claim it's due to poor maintenance which they can't be held responsible for.
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tomv1to
94 posts
36 months
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How many ferrari's set on fire before they issued a recall?
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stowey1984
192 posts
20 months
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Tango13 said: Crusoe said: Gives BMW good credibility in my eyes, too many companies let dealers look at these sort of things next time they are in for a service and don't tell the owners they are doing any recall work. Exactly what I thought when I read the headline. Being prepared to issue a recall in those numbers means BMW are still serious about safety. I read an article in a bike magazine 20 years ago and BMW were top of the list for issuing recalls back then. Does this really happen? I've worked for 3 different brands and they all issued recall letters when there was a serious problem. I've never heard of it being checked/repaired when a service takes place. Seems every brand is doing this now, to avoid issues like Toyota had done over the past years. Good to hear that they are concerned and will give them an excuse to get back into the dealerships.
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Johnboy Mac
2,666 posts
47 months
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Ex Boy Racer said: Wonderful cynicism. Love it! 
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T1berious
184 posts
24 months
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Good on BMW! The cost of it probably pales next to the damage to the brand had it done nothing and there were issues with flaming cars.
We all remember the Ford \ Firestone Fiasco, not sure if it's an industry "urban legend" but did they really decide it was cheaper to deal with the lawsuits rather than perform a recall?
Either way, very happy that BMW have decided to perform a large scale recall rather than save a few bob.
T1b
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AlpinaB5s
100 posts
28 months
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This is a pro-active approach to customer care that is to be applauded.
I guess the head of BMW UK wanted to avoid a public dressing down by Anne Robinson......
Now they just need to admit to the design 'issues' that lead to timing chain failures on the 123d engine.......
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Dave Hedgehog
5,320 posts
73 months
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eybic said: Dave Hedgehog said: look how long Renault denied there was an issue with clio bonnets opening at speed ... Renault still deny there is an issue, they claim it's due to poor maintenance which they can't be held responsible for. wow just gobsmacked funny no other car is suffering from poor maintenance and bonnets flying open ...
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danielj58
33 posts
43 months
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AlpinaB5s said: This is a pro-active approach to customer care that is to be applauded.
I guess the head of BMW UK wanted to avoid a public dressing down by Anne Robinson......
Now they just need to admit to the design 'issues' that lead to timing chain failures on the 123d engine....... Unlikely, I don't recall them ever admitting to the swirl flaps issue? They're still out to make money at the end of the day, this recall will be chumps change compared to the "good" publicity they get as an all caring, all sharing corporation.
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St John Smythe
3,792 posts
86 months
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Dr Interceptor said: Not at all an opportunity for BMW to get 5 and 6-series owners back into the dealer to look at the new 5 and 6-series Do you wear a tin foil hat?
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Addymk2
177 posts
41 months
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I'm yet to see a 5 or a 6 series randomly up in flames though tbh
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sanctum
112 posts
44 months
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All in all a very good decision by BMW.
I would assume this was a cost to value decision. Far cheaper to recall the vehicles than deal with a law suit in America for umpty million dollars if one of their cars caught fire and caused permanent injuries. Plus they get to look concerned and supportive of their customer base (that last bit was a bit cynical and unfair, on reflection).
I think all recalls my cars have had over the years have been done by the service centre without any fuss during routine maintenance.
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