BMW issues recall for all 1-series sold between 2008 and 2010 for potential fire risk

[hotrod182]

Originally Posted by Feyd

While i understand the concept of how this would work, I just don't see how it's possible for it to get that hot before the seatbelt locks..

*shrug*

Some tensioners are pyrotechnic. Wonder if these are?

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by LJKelley

I just called BMW and there is no recall on my Oct 2009 built 1 series. Hmmm...

The article says that affected cars were produced from January 2010 until May 2010 with "certain" 2008-2011 model year vehicles affected, whatever that means.

[MKR_DmD]

What is funny there is an ad that says, "Get dealer pricing on a New 1-Series."

i just laughed about that.

[smithtravel]

I knew I shouldn't look at 1Addicts on a Friday afternoon. So far here is what I have done:

1. Called my dealer, they said there wasn't any 1 series recall.

2. Called BMW NA Customer Relations. They said the seat belt recall only affects 1 series cars built between January 2010 and may 2010. My 2009 'vert is not affected. BUT... they also said there is an "open recall" for the "rear lamps" on my 1! When asked how I was suppose to learn about this recall, they said my dealer should have informed me.

3. Called my dealer again. First they said there was no recalls on the 1 series and, if there was one, BMW NA would notify me by mail. Then, after investigating a bit further, they found that there is an "open recall" for the "rear lamps." As I write this I'm waiting for a call back as they figure out what to do.

[Freakazoid]

I'll admit it.... I'm confused... seems like a joke?

[Freakazoid]

ah shit it's not a joke... looks like a similar one happened too that i didn't know about:
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...-3-series.html

[fermat1313]

Originally Posted by roundel

There is no solution for HPFP. Move on.

Sure there is: N55. Sorry for all you 2008 - 2010 model year owners though!

[ybbiz34]

Oh snap.

[smaxon1]

This sounds like a pretty minor issue. I understand why they have to do the recall, but what are the chances of your 1-series catching fire in a freak accident? Probably slim to none. If I had a 1-series I would probably just coordinate it with my next oil change.

[NL-J]

Originally Posted by smithtravel

I knew I shouldn't look at 1Addicts on a Friday afternoon. So far here is what I have done:

1. Called my dealer, they said there wasn't any 1 series recall.

2. Called BMW NA Customer Relations. They said the seat belt recall only affects 1 series cars built between January 2010 and may 2010. My 2009 'vert is not affected. BUT... they also said there is an "open recall" for the "rear lamps" on my 1! When asked how I was suppose to learn about this recall, they said my dealer should have informed me.

3. Called my dealer again. First they said there was no recalls on the 1 series and, if there was one, BMW NA would notify me by mail. Then, after investigating a bit further, they found that there is an "open recall" for the "rear lamps." As I write this I'm waiting for a call back as they figure out what to do.

There's a new SIB out for the tail lights. It's a service action for E82 and E88 produced between August 20, 2007 and October 12, 2009.

The seals on the rear lamps emit a gas that causes damage to the electrical connectors on the LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) inside the rear lamp. In some cases, the LEDs become inoperative.

Dealer should inform when you take your car in for service, so I'm not sure if a service action counts as a recall?

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by smithtravel

Then, after investigating a bit further, they found that there is an "open recall" for the "rear lamps." As I write this I'm waiting for a call back as they figure out what to do.

I got that yesterday. I left my car at dealer for annual oil/wipers and they replaced the rear lamps or whatever while they had it, same way they reflashed my car when I took it in for something else in March.

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by Freakazoid

ah shit it's not a joke... looks like a similar one happened too that i didn't know about:
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...-3-series.html

As if I didn't spend enough time at the dealer already...

[Slay0r]

thats ok...when they issued a recall for the side airbags being faulty, i happend to bring it up at the dealership and they said they had no recalls out on it. I had to show the guy the article issued from BMW to get him to believe me, and they still didnt have a solution on what to do

[Dangerlucas]

Originally Posted by fermat1313

Sure there is: N55. Sorry for all you 2008 - 2010 model year owners though!

The N55 uses the same HPFP as the N54 and I believe there have already been failures. Sorry to burst your bubble.

As for this recall it sounds like a quick fix, so if you book an appointment I doubt you'd be there for more than an hour. Doesn't really seem like a big deal.

[thebmw]

Good job BMW...keep up the good marketing and making us think we actually have reliable cars (I know better though based on experience and all the JD Power surveys). If the HPFP doesn't fail (or in my case 20+ electrical and mechanical failures), don't worry...the car should catch fire instead.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by smaxon1

This sounds like a pretty minor issue. I understand why they have to do the recall, but what are the chances of your 1-series catching fire in a freak accident? Probably slim to none. If I had a 1-series I would probably just coordinate it with my next oil change.

I am sure it has happened once that's how the bug has been caught. Under normal circumstances without a crash I am confident it will be hard to uncover.

And if it's so rare BMW wouldn't do a mandatory recall. Company's decision is made from profit/cost point of view. If the expected loss is low (i.e. we can easily pay off a death 1:1,000,000) lets just do that instead of incurring the cost of total recall. Try justifying to your boss spending few million dollar problem that may involve 1 or 2 time cost of couple hundred thousands. Unethnical or immoral? Most definitely! Unfortunately that's how corporate works.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by thebmw

Good job BMW...keep up the good marketing and making us think we actually have reliable cars (I know better though based on experience and all the JD Power surveys). If the HPFP doesn't fail (or in my case 20+ electrical and mechanical failures), don't worry...the car should catch fire instead.

[smithtravel]

Dealer just called back. Still says there is no recall related to the seat belts. Said there is also no Federal recall for rear lamps. He said there is a BMW non-Federal recall or "campaign" for 1 series rear lamps. When a car comes in for service the dealer is suppose to check the seals on the lamps and replace if needed.

[993 911]

Should have bought the Porsche...

[Robert]

Praise Buddha I lemoned my 1 series.

[a burrito]

I don't have a 1 but the idea of the seat belt tensioners sound so petty. Does anyone know how these things work? The idea of seat belt tensioners overheating just seems so far fetched..

[Sylon]

Dammit, my car was finished in early May, it barely falls into that time frame. Thanks for this post, I'll see if my dealership has heard of it.