Component
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
Your 7-Series has a special gear shifter that uses electronics to automatically shift the transmission to Park when you turn off the engine. But sometimes, if you press the Start/Stop button too quickly, it might shift into Neutral instead.
Risk if Unfixed
If you get out of the car with the transmission in Neutral, it could roll away. This is very serious, as it could cause a crash or hurt people nearby.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will fix the issue for free by updating the transmission software, and you should schedule the repair as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the transmission to Park when the driver presses the Start/Stop button to shutdown the engine. If the driver presses the engine Start/Stop button 2 or 3 times within a short time interval, the system may shift the transmission to Neutral rather than Park. If using the electronic key (Comfort Access mode), there would be no protection from the ignition interlock that prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in Park.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. Unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or enter the vehicle or to other bystanders in the path of the vehicle.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
View full recall details →
Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →