The VANOS unit in your engine helps adjust the timing of your engine's valves. It's held in place by four bolts made of aluminum. Over time, these bolts can loosen or even break.
Risk if Unfixed
If the VANOS unit bolts break, your engine could stall while you're driving, which could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the four VANOS unit bolts with new ones, at no cost to you. This repair is free, and you should schedule it as soon as you receive your recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The PCV valve in your vehicle is a component that helps manage engine emissions. It's located near the engine and has a small heater to prevent it from clogging up. In some 2007-2011 BMW models, this heater can short circuit and fail.
Risk if Unfixed
If the PCV valve heater shorts out, it could melt the surrounding components and cause a fire, even when your car is parked and turned off. This is a serious risk that could damage your vehicle and potentially harm you or others.
Free Fix
Your local BMW dealer will replace the faulty PCV valve heater with a new one, at no cost to you. You'll get a notification letter, and you should schedule the repair as soon as possible to ensure your safety.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The electric power steering system in your X3 helps you steer your vehicle at low speeds. A faulty control module in this system, which was installed in certain 2011 models, could stop providing power steering assistance without warning.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens while you're driving, you could lose control of your vehicle, especially at low speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will repair the faulty control module for free. They'll fix the issue at no cost to you, 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 2011 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 27, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 8, 2011. A CONTROL MODULE IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) UNIT MAY MALFUNCTION, RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
The lower anchor bars in your vehicle are the metal pieces that help secure child seats. In some 2011-2017 X3 and X4 models, these bars might get damaged if you use a certain type of child seat.
Risk if Unfixed
If the anchor bars are damaged, a child in the seat could be at risk of injury if the vehicle is in a crash. This is because the seat might not be securely attached to the vehicle.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will weld a reinforcing bracket to the anchor bars and the vehicle body, at no cost to you. This repair is completely free, and you should have it done as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
