BMW considers fire hazard recalls for Oz

American media outlets are reporting that BMW has announced two voluntary recalls for roughly one million vehicles sold in North America. In all cases the vehicles are understood to be fitted with parts that could pose a fire risk.

As yet, however, BMW's head office in Munich hasn't decided whether the recall programs will be extended to other countries. One of those countries is Australia, where the US-manufactured X5 has been sold. But the recall doesn't apply to just American-built BMWs.

To date, 40 cases of apparently spontaneous combustion have been reported by owners of American-delivered BMWs, according to ABC (the American Broadcasting Company), and in 12 of the cases reported, the cars concerned were subject to the voluntary recalls. Owners state that the vehicles that went up in flames were not in use at time, some of them being switched off for hours or even days beforehand.

For one recall, BMW has contacted owners of 740,561 BMW vehicles, comprising: the 128i built from 2008 to 2011; and the 328i, 525i, 528i, 530i, X3, X5 and Z4 built from 2007 to 2011. That recall related to the heater for the engine's positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve, an emissions control system. In one case reported by the media, an X5 owner not only lost his car, but his house sustained damage too, when the SUV went up in flames.

The other recall cumulatively affects 672,775 BMW models, consisting of: 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3 from 2006 to 2011; 335is from 2007 to 2011, and the 335d from 2009 to 2011. In this instance, the recall addresses wiring and electrical connectors for the heating and air conditioning systems. Deducting the number of 3 Series models that are subject to both recalls from the total leaves a nett figure of around one million vehicles recalled.

American BMW dealers will commence inspection and repairs for recalled vehicles from December 18, and BMW owners are advised to check their vehicle's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on a website maintained by NHTSA – America's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Although BMW has been reportedly investigating damage attributed to vehicle heating and cooling systems since 2007, it has previously dismissed vehicle fires as a consequence of poor maintenance, aftermarket modifications, arson and even rodent nesting.

The PCV heater issue came to light in 2009 and testing began two years later. It took until last month (October) for BMW to meet with NHTSA and issue the two recall notices.

Picture courtesy of Sally Meyer, Wikimedia Commons