VANOS Bolt Recall

[ejm3]

Is this new?

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars...s-a1359699142/

[Almuliman]

Seems like it. The campaign (23V707) isn't on NHTSA's site yet and my VIN doesn't have any outstanding recalls, so I'm guessing they haven't even gotten it all set up yet.

[Esteban]

I remember the original recall. Got it done on my old 135i I think in 2015.

[WrathOTM]

Checked my VIN on the NHTSA site and it is showing this new recall. Guess I'll be waiting for a letter from my local dealership.

[mkeiser]

well that's just great. i had to do this repair myself on my 2011 that was 1 year out of the original recall... i wonder if I have any recourse now that they issued this?

[mct128i]

Back in 2014 my 335i was recalled for this and now my 128i is eligible. Not sure why the N55 was recalled back then but the N52 was not - I can certainly confirm that the N52 is vulnerable to the bolts breaking.

I was replacing my 128i valve cover and gasket earlier this year and just happened to notice that one of the Vanos bolt heads had broken off and several bolts were loose so I ended up replacing them all during that repair. I wish this recall had come about last year - I would have got a free VCG replacement and the bolts replaced...

[GoRomeo]

Ill keep and eye for the recall letter in the mail. I should check the web page to see if my VIN is affected.

[ejm3]

I checked the VIN for my 2012 135i on the NHSTA site and came up empty, which was surprising.

[spidertri]

Just checked NHTSA and my car shows up as eligible for this new recall.

As far as I remember with old recalls, if you spent money out of pocket to fix this issue prior to the recall being issued, you can get reimbursed for those expenses. BMW used to have a recall site for that purpose.

[mkeiser]

Originally Posted by spidertri

Just checked NHTSA and my car shows up as eligible for this new recall.

As far as I remember with old recalls, if you spent money out of pocket to fix this issue prior to the recall being issued, you can get reimbursed for those expenses. BMW used to have a recall site for that purpose.

I've made an appointment to have my car checked out and discuss reimbursement... fingers crossed!

[mct128i]

According to this 11/14/2023 article in Consumer Reports: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars...s-a1359699142/

"Owners who have already paid to fix this problem before this recall was issued may be eligible for reimbursement from BMW."

Do let us know how this works out for you.

[Andrewbens]

So this isn’t a issue with the 2013s? 135is

[tracer bullet]

"BMW 1 series coupes and convertibles manufactured between Jan. 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2022"

Yeah, more details needed for sure.

I did have this done on mine already, quite a few years ago. I remember them saying that a couple were indeed loose but none had totally backed out and that there were enough tight ones to keep things in place. If anyone hasn't had this work done - yeah, it might be a good idea.

I assume if we've had it done already we're exempt from a 2nd round. Guess I'll wait and see if any paperwork shows up. I did get the other recalls i.e. battery cable and haven't moved since those.

[ejm3]

Yeah that my concern.
As these cars age will they just stop sending notices in the mail and you need to check on these yourself.

[dfox]

My 2012 135i isn't showing any recalls on the NHTSA site... interesting. Guess I'll keep checking.

Car is new to me, so I have no clue if this was ever an issue, but happy to get it fixed if I can.

[bonez318ti]

Any idea whether the 2010 production date is merely due to an arbitrary date cut off?

ie: do 2008's use the same VANOS bolts as 2010s? and they are just not covering as it is too old?

[mct128i]

Originally Posted by dfox

My 2012 135i isn't showing any recalls on the NHTSA site... interesting. Guess I'll keep checking.

Car is new to me, so I have no clue if this was ever an issue, but happy to get it fixed if I can.

If the recall was addressed then you should have a sticker on the driver side B pillar - for the N51 and N52 recall it's described in the attachment, I would expect there was something similar for the N55 engines that were recalled for this.

[bmw1racer]

Here's the complete post from Consumer Reports:

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Oct 20, 2023

Loose or broken VANOS housing bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Summary:

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.
What should you do:

Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 12, 2023. Second letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
For more information:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 23V707000

Potential Number of Units Affected: 155627

[Finneganistan]

I looked up my VIN and it's showing no pending recalls. I contacted the dealer to see if they could confirm this had already been done, and they found no record of it, and suggested I call the BMW recall line. (800) 525-7417.

I'll check the B pillar for a sticker after work.

[dfox]

Originally Posted by mct128i

If the recall was addressed then you should have a sticker on the driver side B pillar - for the N51 and N52 recall it's described in the attachment, I would expect there was something similar for the N55 engines that were recalled for this.

No sticker on my car... I have a convertible though, not much room to put it on there with all of the other stickers on there.

[tracer bullet]

Had the recall done long ago, but no sticker for me either. The original thing that came w/t he car plus like 3 more stickers related to tire pressures.

[Almuliman]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Here's the complete post from Consumer Reports:
...

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.

The Consumer Reports article (see OP) says "BMW 1 series coupes and convertibles manufactured between Jan. 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2022.", whereas the post you refer to has a 2012 cutoff as does the actual recall on the NHTSA site: "BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible ..."

I'm going with NHTSA and assuming my 2013 isn't affected. But I'm still checking back occasionally.