BMW News: BMW recalls 32,084 turbocharged vehicles from 2008-2011: 5, 7 series, X5, and X6

October 28, 2011. BMW has notified the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it is voluntarily recalling 32,084 vehicles from 2008 to 2011 because of a fire hazard. The models affected are the 5-series, 5-series Gran Turismo, 7-series, X5, and X6 with turbocharged 8 and 12 cylinder engines.

The problem involves the electric auxiliary water pump that is electronically controlled by the engine control unit. The auxiliary water pump cools the turbocharger after the engine is turned off. BMW states:

"Under certain conditions, the pump's electronic circuit board can malfunction. The malfunction can occur as a result of certain design features in combination with high operating temperatures. Under these conditions, this can lead to a failure of the water pump. In some cases, the circuit board can overheat. In an extreme case, overheating of the circuit board can lead to smoldering of the water pump. If smoldering occurs, it cannot be excluded that this may also lead to an engine compartment or vehicle fire."

BMW also noted that there were two cases of fire in the engine compartment, 92 cases of pump failure, and overall 102 known cases worldwide. BMW is not aware of any known injuries or accidents as a result of this issue.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V-521

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Summary:
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 5-SERIES, 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, 7-SERIES, X5 SAV, AND X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence:
THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.

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PDF from NHTSA: RCAK-11V521-6155: NHTSA Recall Announcement
PDF from NHTSA: RCDNN-11V521-9600: NHTSA Defect Notice

i have always maintained that the N63 gives off a lot of heat. My former GT would have been one of the affected vehicles..

Oh jeeze BMW, put another dent into ConsumerReports view of you.

Love those heat generating Turbos...

Originally Posted by BMW 3-SERIES

Oh jeeze BMW, put another dent into ConsumerReports view of you.

Is this really such a big deal? Never say it, Master Michael.