Component
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
Your 7-Series has a special electronic system that lets you start the engine with the push of a button, and also shifts the transmission to Park automatically. However, this system can misbehave if you press the start button too quickly multiple times, causing the transmission to shift to Neutral instead of Park.
Risk if Unfixed
If you exit the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and don't apply the parking brake, your car could roll away. This could lead to a crash or harm people nearby who try to stop the vehicle or enter it.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will update the transmission software to fix this issue for free. You'll receive a notification from BMW in November 2012, and the repair will be available starting in March 2013.
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 →