BMW Recall Issued Over Circuit Board Overheating Problems, Fire Risks

Nearly 50,000 BMW and Mini vehicles have been recalled, due to a risk that the electric auxiliary water pump could fail and overheat the circuit board, potentially resulting in a car fire. 

The BMW recall was announced by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on May 3, following at least two customer complaints indicating issues stemming from the water pumps.

The recalled BMW and Mini vehicles are equipped with an electric auxiliary water pump that is controlled electronically by an engine control unit. After the engine is turned off the water pump conducts heat away from the turbocharger, and under certain conditions the electric water pump’s electronic circuit board can overheat and malfunction. This malfunction could result in a vehicle fire.

According to the NHTSA safety recall report (PDF), BMW’s engineering analysis of defective parts determined that water pump parts received from its supplier, Pierburg, were the root cause of the issue.

Due to the risk that the overheating events can occur after the vehicles are turned off, BMW is asking owners not to park their vehicles inside of garages or structures until the recall remedy has been performed.

The recall affects model year 2011 through 2012 BMW 550I, 2010 through 2012 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO, 2012 BMW 650I, 2009 through 2012 BMW 750I, 2009 through 2012 BMW 750LI models, 2009-2012 BMW 760LI, 2011 through 2012 BMW ACTIVEHYBRID 7, 2010 through 2012 BMW X5 and X5M models, 2008 through 2012 BMW X6 and X6 M models, 2007 through 2012 Mini Cooper, 2008 through Mini Cooper Clubman, 2011 and 2012 Mini Cooper Countryman, 2007 through 2012 Mini JCW, 20011 through 2012 Mini JCW Convertible, and 2010 through 2012 Rolls-Royce Ghost model.

The recall affects approximately 47,806 vehicles that were distributed for sale throughout the United States.

BMW announced they will be notifying owners via First Class mail, detailing the recall defect and informing customers that remedy parts are currently not available. Owners will be notified with a second mailed correspondence when remedy parts are available with instructions on how to schedule a free repair appointment at their local dealer. Customers with additional questions may contact BMW customers service at 1-800-*525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735.