BMW is globally recalling 1.3 million 5 and 6 vehicles manufactured between 2003 and 2010 due to potential problems with a battery-cable cover that could result in the electrical system malfunctioning, the vehicle failing to start and as well as the potential for charring or a fire.
The German manufacturer said it isn't aware of any accident or injury triggered through the technical fault.
Vehicle owners will be notified in writing. Repairs will take approximately 30 minutes and will be free of charge to the customer. BMW didn't elaborate on the anticipated costs it will face related to the recall.
A BMW spokesman said the recall is a precautionary safety measure as no accidents have been reported. Nine cases of related defects have been reported. BMW has filed a notification to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The recall comes a month after the automaker agreed with U.S. safety regulators to pay $3 million in civil penalties for failing to report safety defects soon enough.
A review of 16 BMW recalls issued in 2010 found "a number of instances" in which the auto maker didn't comply with U.S. law, the NHTSA said last month.
Article Last Updated: March 26, 2012.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
