[menewtobmw]

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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.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...3V044-6848.PDF

[ddeliber]

Is there a svc bulletin or recall number for this? I will be taking my car in in the next week or so and I'd like to have this done as well to avoid a second trip. It'd be good to point to something and say can you take care of "this" as well.

[N8N]

Good to know, thanks for posting this. I was aware of the issue and have experienced no trouble yet but at 75K miles having this recall done will definitely increase my peace of mind driving a high-mile E92. Will have to ask about this next time I have a reason to go to the dealership.

[Das_Stig]

thanks for the info

[glider4]

Funny, I just had a problem last month where the car lost all electrical power while sitting powered off in the garage. Tried to start it and every warning light in the book came on. Luckily it started OK made it to the dealer to inspect. They said they couldn't find any problem but confirmed that the car had had a total electrical failure. I now think I know what happened!

Anyone out there seen the recall specifics? How long in the shop will this one take to fix? Do they have to replace both the battery cable and the fuse box?

[bender rodriguez]

Yes moar deets please.. What year to what?

[glider4]

BMW is recalling almost 570,000 cars in the U.S. and Canada because a battery cable connector can fail and cause the engines to stall.
The recall affects popular 3-Series sedans, wagons, convertibles and coupes from the 2007 through 2011 model years. Also included are 1-Series coupes and convertibles from 2008 through 2012, and the Z4 sports car from 2009 through 2011.
The cable connectors and a fuse box terminal in the cars can degrade over time, and that can break the electrical connection between the trunk-mounted battery and the fuse box at the front. If that happens, the cars could lose electrical power, causing the engines to stall unexpectedly, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in documents posted on its website Saturday.
The company says in documents sent to NHTSA that the problem stems from movement between the battery cable and the fuse box.
BMW says it knows of one minor collision in Canada due to the problem, but no injuries.
The German automaker says dealers will replace the battery cable connector and secure it for free. It will start notifying owners in March.
The 3-Series is BMW's most popular car in the U.S., dominating the small luxury car market. The company sold nearly 100,000 of them in the U.S. last year.
The recall affects more than 504,000 cars in the U.S. and another 65,000 in Canada.
BMW, Toyota and other automakers have experienced large recalls in recent years because they use common parts on multiple models in order to save money.
Owners can call BMW with questions at (800) 525-7417.

[bender rodriguez]

So can we take it in right now or do we need to wait until BMW calls us?

[glider4]

Another news source said local BMW dealers would start contacting owners in early March.....

[AddictedToBavarian]

Interesting. There's also a few TSBs on a battery wire that runs from the trunk (obviously) under the door sill and to the ECU I believe or the fuse box that has been problematic and owners will see loss of power as well. That was mainly an issue from corrosion.

I can't keep up with all these little issues BMW has.

[Mattshokri]

only for 328s?

[///M3NACE]

Nothing for 2005 early build e90s?

[E30M3Driver]

I have been thinking this would happen ultimately.

It impacts these cars:

2008-12 / 1-Series Coupe Dec. 2007-Jul. 2011
2008-12 / 1-Series Convertible Dec. 2007-Jul. 2011
2007-11 / 3-Series Sedan Mar. 2007-Oct. 2011
2007-11 / 3-Series Sports Wagon Mar. 2007-Jun. 2011
2007-11 / 3-Series Coupe Mar. 2007-Jul. 2011
2007-11 / 3-Series Convertible Mar. 2007-Jul. 2011
2009-11 / Z4 Mar. 2009-Jun. 2011

Letters will go out in March to customers and once they receive can contact their local dealer for service. BMW does this on most recalls to manage parts supply and inventory.

Special tools and parts are required to perform the repair and it sounds like dealers won't start receiving them until later this month.

[glider4]

List above from E30M3Driver looks consistent what what I have read.

[MrQuickR1]

This is good to hear and know thanks!
Not that this is related but my batteries keep dying after about 6 months and alt and system check out good.
Would be better if they replaced the entire cable as well.

BTW Mattshokri....3 series = 328, 335, anything with a 3 in it

[Das_Stig]

any idea when we can take it in?

[Bob Shiftright]

I'm looking forward to having a poltergeist exorcised from my car, if this is one of them!

[ef11]

dang I'm taking my car in for some stuff on Tuesday, but the recall doesn't start until March so not sure if I can get the dealership to do this..

[Frosty]

Report Receipt Date: FEB 07, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V044000
Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 504,545
All Products Associated with this Recall
Details
2 Associated Documents
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.

[E30M3Driver]

Originally Posted by ericfox11

dang I'm taking my car in for some stuff on Tuesday, but the recall doesn't start until March so not sure if I can get the dealership to do this..

No, unfortunately you won't be able to. Special tool(s) and parts are required and aren't distributed yet. Guessing they are somehow splicing and crimping a new connector on to the existing cable.

[Frosty]

I just posted above as I just cut and pasted it.... probably same as OP

[2nice89]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I just posted above as I just cut and pasted it.... probably same as OP

I just paid $1,00 to get this fixed a month ago... How the hell can i get my money back? It was done at a indy shop but i have the receipt