Owners might not always be aware that a recalled car still has to be fixed.
In This Article...
BMW VIN safety check
If you are not the original buyer, the VIN report will provide you a description of the recall and identify any extra important facts. It will show the history and number of owners of a car you own, desire to buy, or sell. It will show whether there have been any recordable auto recalls or not. If there are recalls, it will also state who, when, and where the necessary replacement and repairs were made. Check the BMW VIN for recalls to acquire accurate information from a trustworthy source. You can be certain it is genuine. Additionally, a list of manufacturing flaws and recalls for the brand and production year you choose will be provided. Manufacturers must frequently recall their vehicles for additional maintenance. If it was performed on a car you decided to purchase, you’ll know about it. To make an informed choice, you require it. In addition, you will discover:
- NMVTIS of North America
- data gleaned from car auctions
- information about insurance
- Salvage Sales
- Accident History
- Information from the manufacturer and the dealership
- Information concerning Private or Commercial Use
Running a recall check will provide you assurance and peace of mind. Do it now and act wisely.
Can I look up recalls using my VIN number?
Yes. To search for recalls by VIN, go to Safercar.gov, or check the manufacturer’s website to see if there is a recall. To perform the lookup, you will need your VIN (vehicle identification number).
How can I find out whether my automobile has been recalled?
To find out if your automobile or truck is being recalled, go to NHTSA.gov/Recalls. Utilize your vehicle’s VIN while searching (VIN). If your vehicle is now subject to a safety recall, your search result will let you know. Call your nearby dealer to arrange the free repair if your car is subject to a recall.
Is the BMW 3 Series subject to a recall?
Certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles are being recalled by BMW of North America, LLC (BMW). The engine management software may result in the loss of braking assistance during engine start-up.
What happens during a BMW recall?
Simply contact your neighborhood BMW repair shop, and the dealer will swap out the damaged parts. The owners of recalled vehicles will receive notification of the problem, the affected components, and the availability of a repair option after one of these bulletins has been published.
When was the BMW recall issued?
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation valve (PCV) may short-circuit and, in extremely rare circumstances, might raise the danger of a fire in a number of vehicles manufactured between 2006 and 2013, including some 1 Series, 3 Series, X3, 5 Series, and Z4 models.
According to BMW, the current recall affects 917,106 vehicles in the US, 98,000 in Canada, and 18,000 in South Korea.
It replaces and broadens the recalls by BMW that affected 740,000 and 184,000 U.S. vehicles, respectively, in 2017 and 2019.
According to BMW, many vehicles restored under previous recalls will require a new fix, which is presently being developed. A sufficient supply of parts and the fix are anticipated by mid-2022.
Due to the fact that they were manufactured with a better PCV valve heater design, some previously recalled vehicles, according to BMW, are not covered by the new recall.
A number of reports of fire in previously recalled and fixed BMW automobiles led to the new recall. According to BMW, its examination revealed that problems with supplier production could cause PCV valve heater damage in the field.
The company claimed there had been no incidents or injuries connected to the most recent recall.
Owners are not need to stop driving while the recall is being fixed, but they should pull over if they detect smoke coming from the vicinity of the engine compartment or smell smoke or a burning plastic odor.
David Shepardson is the reporter; Christina Amann is the extra reporter in Berlin. Leslie Adler and Emelia Sithole-Matarise did the editing.
Which BMW model is under recall?
Certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020–2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019–2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020–2021 Toyota Supra vehicles are being recalled by BMW of North America, LLC (BMW). The engine management software may result in the loss of braking assistance during engine start-up.
How long do recalls for BMW take?
BMW acknowledges that delays of up to eight weeks are being caused by problems with the availability of parts and workshops, which forces customers whose cars require critical recall work to wait up to two months before receiving their vehicles back.
With 1.6 million vehicles implicated globally, a recall in October of last year identified 268,000 diesel BMWs in the UK that may need repair work. The issue is with potential glycol leaks in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve coolers, which “in extreme instances” could result in fire.
While they wait for parts to arrive from Germany, their owners have been unable to drive them. The company has provided “thousands” of courtesy vehicles to impacted customers, but we have received inquiries from some owners who believe BMW hasn’t gone far enough to address the issue (see case studies, below).
Long wait times, poor communication, and inappropriate hire cars are some of the complaints. Some readers also complained that they had not received recall notices and learned their vehicles needed the work only when they were in dealerships for routine maintenance.
When do BMW recalls end?
Recalls of cars never expire. However, if the automaker ceases producing the problematic component or shuts down, a recall may no longer be valid. Take your automobile to the closest dealership to have it fixed if you learn about the recall years after it was issued.
BMW has a timing chain recall?
American and international car customers are aware of BMW’s reputation for producing high-quality, secure vehicles. However, occasionally problems slip factory radar and only surface after the car is in the hands of the buyer.
A recall for the timing chain on any N20-powered BMW vehicles has been issued, right?
No, not as of September 2020. However, there were other owner grievances and issues with this matter that were documented, including:
- failure of the timing chain too soon
- Vehicle entered limp mode and displayed a transmission error warning
- Failure of the timing chain due to a damaged chain guard
The timing chain of the BMW N20 is the subject of the aforementioned issues, owner complaints, and any recalls discussed in this page. You may learn more about handling a recall on your BMW vehicle as well.
What if a vehicle recall was missed?
It can be difficult to determine who is at fault in automobile recall claims. In the event that a defective or noncompliant auto part contributed to an accident, some vehicle owners who disregard a recall warning may be held accountable.
If you didn’t correct the flaw, you can be held accountable for the consequences of the car accident. However, the maker can be careless if you were unaware of the flaw. Drivers may also be judged to have exhibited comparative negligence, which lowers your compensation by the proportion for which you were found to have contributed to the collision.
How can I free check a VIN number?
The National Insurance Crime Bureau provides a free VIN check to find out if the car has ever been reported stolen or has been so badly damaged that a salvage title has been issued. In a 24-hour period, NICB provides up to five free VIN checks from a single IP address using information provided by auto insurance providers.
Recalls are listed on Carfax?
If an automobile has an open recall, it is simple to check with Carfax’s tools. You can search using our Carfax Vehicle Recall Check by simply entering a vehicle identifying number, or VIN. You can learn when the recall was announced, what the issue is, and whether a fix is offered.
My car has a recall, but may I trade it in?
Jalopnik received a letter from a frustrated automobile owner. When the owner of a 2014 Audi A6 TDI tried to trade it in, they discovered the occupancy sensor in the passenger seat was still under recall. The situation was made worse by the fact that Audi had issued a recall for the defective sensor—which may have prevented the airbag from deploying—but had not yet sent new parts to the dealerships to address the issue.
The owner was informed by the dealership that they could not resale the vehicle. They claimed that they planned to sell the old automobile at wholesale price rather than waiting for the parts to come in. Then they made a pitiful trade-in offer. Unfortunately, franchised dealers are not required to accept a trade-in that they believe they will not be able to sell.
You have three choices if your car has a recall that hasn’t been resolved yet. Up until your dealership has a recall fix, you can keep driving your previous vehicle. Alternately, you may attempt to trade it in for less. Your salesperson will try their utmost to accept your trade-in if you mention that the trade-in value might mean the difference between you getting a new car or having to wait. Finally, you might try to find a private buyer for your used car. However, be sure to inform the buyer about the active recall; else, you risk being sued.
Does a recall come with a loaner car?
You can try asking your nearby dealership for a loaner car until it can fix your automobile if it has a risky safety recall. Most dealerships have rental cars available, and some manufacturers have procedures that allow them to loan you a car for a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months while they deal with your recall.
Getting a loaner car is frequently the greatest choice if you have a significant safety recall and a repair is not yet accessible.
Note: Although this normally only applies to customers who have received “Do Not Drive” warnings, there are occasional instances where the manufacturer will provide a rental car without you even having to ask.
Which automobiles are subject to a recall?
A limited number of 2022–2023 iX xDrive50, iX M60, 2022 i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 vehicles are being recalled by BMW of North America, LLC (BMW). Internal damage to the high voltage battery could cause an electrical short-circuit. Affected are 83 units. Learn more.
A select number of 2022 X3 xDrive30i vehicles are being recalled by BMW of North America, LLC (BMW). It is possible for the high-pressure fuel rail to crack, allowing fuel to spill into the engine compartment. Affected units total two. Learn more.
Do recalls ever expire?
From John Paul, here are some further details about auto recalls:
- Recalls typically don’t have an expiration date. They will also change hands from one owner to the next. Even though you were not the owner at the time of the recall, you are still entitled to the repair if you purchase a used automobile and later learn it has an open recall.
- The manufacturer might demand a price for the repair after the car is ten years old.
- A recall does not necessarily indicate that a car is of bad quality. It simply indicates that a component needs to be replaced since it is faulty or performing poorly. It does not constitute a criticism of the car as a whole.
- Recalls and extended warranties are not the same (sometimes referred to as secret warranties). In the latter, a component may not last as long as it should, in which case the manufacturer may decide to extend the warranty for that specific component. Volkswagen, for instance, informed some owners of specific models via letters that the ignition switch warranty had been increased to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Since the ignition switch did not need to be fixed, the vehicle was not subject to a recall.
Does a mileage cap apply to recalls?
Do recalls have a mileage cap? No, recalls are not subject to a mileage cap. Regardless of the age, mileage, or state of the car, the manufacturer will fix the item that is posing a safety risk.