Recall (battery connector)?

[Hurricane]

Uh Oh.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=804545

[Bmw135er]

Looks like they are referring to some cars having an issue with the battery cable connection at the JBE. Depending on what the recall will address, those who have paid for the repair post warranty may be able to get some type of refund. Of course that won't be for sure until the repair procedure is outlined.

[schnell325]

Thanks for the tip!

[Vic311]

You can check BMW recalls here

http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...er/recall.aspx

[i001947]

Looks like 2013 are not on the list.

[WillC310]

Just read a LA times article about it..

http://www.latimes.com/business/auto...,5621118.story

"In all the recalled cars, the battery is located in the trunk and there is a long battery cable from the battery to the fuse box, located between the glove compartment and the dash panel.

BMW said that both the connector at the end of the cable and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box are coated with tin.

The connection can degrade over time from the relative movements of the cable and the fuse box, which can eventually break the electric connection."

....

"BMW has known about the problem since July 2010 as a result of two field cases from the U.S. market involving the failure of the electrical system on a 3 Series vehicle when a customer experienced a "no-start" condition after it was parked. In October and December 2010, additional reports were received pertaining to the same problem.

It issued a service bulletin telling dealers how to fix the problem but has now decided to recall all 504,545 of the cars sold in the U.S.

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March. Owners may call BMW for more information at (800) 525-7417 or email BMW."

That might explain why my car failed to start a few times.

[jqsmooth]

"BMW announced February 16, that it would recall 569,000 vehicles – 504,000 made in the U.S. and another 65,000 in Canada. But that’s hardly the first time — after all, in July 2010, I reported on fuel pump problems that led BMW to recall 130,000 vehicles three months later. Is BMW really the ultimate driving machine?"

Made or Sold? I thought our M3s were built in the motherland of Germany.

[spdy330]

It did not say they were made in the USA.

"The recall affects more than 504,000 cars in the U.S. and another 65,000 in Canada."

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?se...lls&id=8995739

Originally Posted by jqsmooth

"BMW announced February 16, that it would recall 569,000 vehicles – 504,000 made in the U.S. and another 65,000 in Canada. But that’s hardly the first time — after all, in July 2010, I reported on fuel pump problems that led BMW to recall 130,000 vehicles three months later. Is BMW really the ultimate driving machine?"

Made or Sold? I thought our M3s were built in the motherland of Germany.

[TexasSpartan]

Originally Posted by spdy330

It did not say they were made in the USA.

"The recall affects more than 504,000 cars in the U.S. and another 65,000 in Canada."

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?se...lls&id=8995739

The Forbes article does state made in the USA.

[spdy330]

^ Interesting, I saw it from my local news stations web site and it did not state that. Either way we will see if we are in this recall as ours are made in Germany.

[MysticBlue]

It appears this does not include M's.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...3V044-6848.PDF

[mark896]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

It appears this does not include M's.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...3V044-6848.PDF

I saw that on one of the other forums, I'm hoping it's not a typo.

[paradocs98]

Based on the press release, I'm assuming this does not affect the M3. I'm surprised, though, that the M3's components are any different from a regular 3-series in this regard.

_____________________________


Report Receipt Date: FEB 07, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V044000
Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 504,545

Vehicle Make - Model - Model Year(s)

BMW 128i 2008-2012
BMW 135i 2008-2012
BMW 328i 2007-2011
BMW 335i 2007-2011
BMW Z4 2009-2011

Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

SUMMARY

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through July 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through July 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

CONSEQUENCE

If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

NOTES

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

[Chriskm3]

If I'm not mistaken the difference between the m3 and a 3 series is around %80. I've read somewhere that cosmetic commonalities exist but anything mechanical has been redesigned.

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by jqsmooth

"BMW announced February 16, that it would recall 569,000 vehicles – 504,000 made in the U.S. and another 65,000 in Canada. But that’s hardly the first time — after all, in July 2010, I reported on fuel pump problems that led BMW to recall 130,000 vehicles three months later. Is BMW really the ultimate driving machine?"

Made or Sold? I thought our M3s were built in the motherland of Germany.

it is, Regensberg, DE
It's printed on your original window sticker the assembly point.

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by Chriskm3

If I'm not mistaken the difference between the m3 and a 3 series is around %80. I've read somewhere that cosmetic commonalities exist but anything mechanical has been redesigned.

yeah, but something like a battery connector likely will have part commonality across all 3-series and other cars.

Very likely due to the restricted models stated in the recall, it appears these cars all are the non-German sourced parts.


US/Canada assembled cars likely will use local suppliers for minor parts such as a connector cable

[cohenfive]

I asked my dealer about the recall regarding my 2011 M3 and he had no idea about the recall at all...

The funny thing is I just started getting 'low battery charge' warning lights a couple of weeks ago. The car starts and runs perfectly, so in the interest of not wanting to take the car in twice, I am waiting for a response from my dealer. I too would be surprised if the M3 had a different battery cable than the regular 3 series, but I'll wait for official word on the recall.

[mark896]

Originally Posted by cohenfive

I asked my dealer about the recall regarding my 2011 M3 and he had no idea about the recall at all...

The funny thing is I just started getting 'low battery charge' warning lights a couple of weeks ago. The car starts and runs perfectly, so in the interest of not wanting to take the car in twice, I am waiting for a response from my dealer. I too would be surprised if the M3 had a different battery cable than the regular 3 series, but I'll wait for official word on the recall.

Keep in mind, this caution can come up if you only occasionally drive your car as well. Happens to me in the summertime when I ride my motorcycle to work instead of the car. But in the winter, never happens.

[THE TECH]

This recall is not for the M3 guys!! /thread.

[schnell325]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

This recall is not for the M3 guys!! /thread.

[bsd damon]

I had the same issue in 2011 and got the cable repaired at the dealership. My M3 was a 2011 and made in Germany (as are all M3's) but delivered to Canada. See related thread (there are others as well):

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=431143&page=2

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by bsd damon

I had the same issue in 2011 and got the cable repaired at the dealership. My M3 was a 2011 and made in Germany (as are all M3's) but delivered to Canada. See related thread (there are others as well):

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=431143&page=2

If the recall doesn't list our car then it won't be repaired for free (assuming there is an issue).