BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles

Oct 17, 2012 — Recall Campaign #12V502000

BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the transmission to Park when the driver presses the Start/Stop button to shutdown the engine. If the driver presses the engine Start/Stop button 2 or 3 times within a short time interval, the system may shift the transmission to Neutral rather than Park. If using the electronic key (Comfort Access mode), there would be no protection from the ignition interlock that prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in Park.

The recall was influenced by the Office of Defects Investigation with about 45,500 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

12V502000

Manufacturer:	BMW of North America, LLC
Recall date:	October 17, 2012
NHTSA Campaign #:	12V502000
Units affected:	45,500

Description:: BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the transmission to Park when the driver presses the Start/Stop button to shutdown the engine. If the driver presses the engine Start/Stop button 2 or 3 times within a short time interval, the system may shift the transmission to Neutral rather than Park. If using the electronic key (Comfort Access mode), there would be no protection from the ignition interlock that prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in Park.
Consequeces:: If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. Unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or enter the vehicle or to other bystanders in the path of the vehicle.
Corrective action:: BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Notes:: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affects the following:

2005 BMW 745I Complaints
DRIVING FROM WORK AN MY CAR JUST STARTED LOSING POWER I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AN BATTERY AN THE CAR DID THE SAME THING.;
2005 BMW 745LI Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW OF RIVERSIDE (3060 ADAMS ST, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, 1 (951) 373-5000) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V328000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCHES FAILED TO LOCK AND WERE UNSECURED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE SAME DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AFTER SERVICING THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LATCH REPLACEMENT WAS SEPARATE FROM THE RECALL REPAIR AND THAT BOTH LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY REPLACED BOTH LATCHES; HOWEVER, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH STILL FAILED. THE OTHER THREE DOOR LATCHES WORKED PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,423.;
2006 BMW 760I Complaints
DRAINAGE HOLES CLOG AND LEAKS IN TRUNK WHERE AIR COMPRESSOR FOR SUSPENSION AND OTHER IMPORTANT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER DAMAGE.;
2008 BMW 750I Complaints
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 750I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V328000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the dealer was unable to repair the recall in a timely manner and the contact had to recover the vehicle from the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the driver's side door was not closing properly and opened independently. The contact stated that the “Door Ajar" chime was audible. The contact stated that the other 3 doors were not closing properly. Additionally, the contact stated that because the doors were not closing securely, the 12V battery was being drained which was leading to other electrical systems failure. The contact stated that the battery was replaced two times within four months. The contact stated that the vehicle was no longer starting due to electrical failures. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000. Parts distribution disconnect.;
2008 BMW 750LI Complaints
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 750LI US. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the rear passenger door opened inadvertently. The contact stated that the right rear passenger immediately closed the door and later, when the vehicle was parked and the right rear passenger attempted to exit, the door would not open from the inside. When attempting to open the door from the outside, it also would not open and has remained inoperable. The contact added that a few days later while driving at approximately 45MPH the front passenger opened inadvertently. The passenger attempted to close the door but the door did not remain closed. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and when he existed the vehicle and he pushed the door with force and the door remained closed. The contact also stated that the soft close feature did not work as intended after the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact believes the failure is associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V328 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.;