A new BMW recall is coming in the near future. In a bulletin sent to BMW dealers, the company announces its intention to voluntarily recall certain 2012-2014 model year equipped with the N20 or N26 engines. The cars affected are BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, X1, X3 and Z4 built from May 2012 until August 2013. The issue is related to a loss of power brake assist and failure of the vacuum pump. Customers will initially be informed of the Recall in November by letter; and again when parts become available.
On September 26th, BMW of North America, LLC announced to NHTSA its intention to conduct a voluntary Recall on certain 2012-2014 model year BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, X1, X3 and Z4 models equipped with the N20 or N26 engine, produced from May 2012 to August 2013. Affected vehicles in center inventory must not be retailed or delivered until the Recall repair has been performed. Refer to the file “N20 N26 Delivery Stop.pdf” for vehicles which must be held. Vehicles at BMW vehicle delivery centers will be corrected before shipment to your center.
Situation:
The oil supply via the intake camshaft to the vacuum pump could become restricted. If this were to occur, the vacuum pump could fail due to lack of lubrication, resulting in a loss of power brake assist. A repair solution for vehicles already retailed is under development and not available at this time. Customers will initially be informed of the Recall in November by letter; and again when parts become available. Please do not contact the Parts Technical Group (PTG) requesting parts. The repair letter will be sent when the dealership has the necessary parts, tools and procedures to preform the repair.
The solution involves inserting a locking ring onto the camshaft so the oil supply to the brake assist vacuum pump is not impaired. The repair will take approximately two hours but can vary depending on your BMW dealers schedule. The repair will be preformed free of charge.
Affected Models
2012-14 320i/328i, 320i/328i xDrive Sedan manufactured between May 2012 – August 2013
2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagon manufactured between March 2013 – May 2013
2012-13 528i, 528i xDrive Sedan manufactured between June 2012 – June 2013
2013-14 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i manufactured between June 2012 – June 2013
2013-14 X3 xDrive28i manufactured between June 2012 – August 2013
2012-14 Z4 sDrive28i manufactured between June 2012 – June 2013
Models not list are not affected due to different lubrication and vacuum pump designs.
Number of vehicles affected in the US
Up to 76,190 BMWs are affected by this safety issue. The model break down is as follows –
2012-14 320i/328i, 320i/328i xDrive Sedan – 37,473 potentially affected
2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagon – 176 potentially affected
2012-13 528i, 528i xDrive Sedan – 12,708 potentially affected
2013-14 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i – 10,547 potentially affected
2013-14 X3 xDrive28i – 14,517 potentially affected
2012-14 Z4 sDrive28i – 770 potentially affected
Known accidents
BMW is aware of three minor accidents with no confirmed injuries as a result of this problem. The NTSB has 7 reported incidents but that does not mean they have 7 accident reports. Vehicles affected have experienced the failure at low millage. It is not clear if having a higher mileage car means you will not have the failure.
Should you continue to drive your N20/N26 powered BMW
BMW says it is safe to continue to drive your vehicle for now. As soon as you get the service letter that will be coming in December you should have the recall work performed. If you feel a loss of braking power pull to the side of the road and have your BMW towed to the nearest dealer by BMW Roadside Assistance.
