Component
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
Your vehicle has a special gear-shifting system that uses buttons and wires instead of a traditional gearshift. This system can sometimes get confused if you press the Start/Stop button too quickly, and it might move the transmission to Neutral instead of Park.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, your vehicle could roll away without your permission, even if you think you've put it in Park. This could cause a crash, hurt someone, or damage your car, especially if you're parked on a hill or with other people nearby.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will update the gear-shifting system to prevent this problem from happening. This repair will be done at no cost to you, and you should schedule it as soon as you receive 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 →