BMW has issued its second car recall in as many weeks, this time over fire risks concerning the 3 Series.
Initially, 312,000 examples of the 1 Series, 3 Series, Z4 roadster and X1 compact SUV were recalled over fears that a weak connector between the battery and fuse box could wear out and cause cars to stall.
This time, however, the ecall regards every single 3 Series saloon – both petrol and diesel – built between December 2004 and July 2011. That sounds like a lot and it is – this latest recall affects 294,000 cars.
Many Brits may be shocked that such a respected and generally reliable carmaker would issue such a large scale recall. However, there were signs this was coming after 670,000 US-based BMW cars were recalled in 2017 over fire fears linked to a cable connecting the heater fan and battery in warmer climates.
Speaking to the Financial Times, a BMW spokesman said: “We are taking the opportunity of the existing recall to proactively check and replace the wiring harness of the blower regulator. In doing so, we are taking every precaution in terms of safety while minimising disruption and inconvenience to affected customers.”
“BMW has notified the DVSA of its intention to recall and will begin the recall process immediately.”
How do I know if my BMW is affected?
BMW has sent out letters in the post to all customers who may have been affected. But in the meantime, you can check if your BMW falls under the recall by entering your car’s registration number into the DVSA’s checker at https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall. Also a customer complaints hotline has also been set up on 0800 083 4397.
The subsequent repair work shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours and won’t cost you a penny.
Has your opinion of BMW changed in light of this recall double whammy? Let us know down in the comments…
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I owned a 3 series until about a year ago. Worst car I have ever owned for reliability and build quality.
Perhaps the next problem will be the unacceptable and uneven tyre wear that effects so many owners. They certainly do not want to take any responsibility for the problem.