BMW recalls over 300,000 cars with electrical faults in UK

  • 10/05/2018
An electrical fault has resulted in over 300,000 BMW vehicles being recalled in the UK.
An electrical fault has resulted in over 300,000 BMW vehicles being recalled in the UK. Photo credit: BMW

An electrical fault has resulted in more than 300,000 BMW vehicles being recalled in the UK. 

The recall is an extension of one made last year by the German carmaker. BMW issued a safety call in February 2017 of 36,000 vehicles and has now extended it after discovering the fault in more cars. 

An investigation by BBC Watchdog Live found that certain BMW models cut out while being driven. 

The recall will cover BMW 1 Series, 3 Series, Z4 and X1 petrol and diesel models made between March 2007 and August 2011, the Guardian reported. The manufacturer is expected to contact directly those affected by the recall. 

"We now recognise that there may have been some similar cases of similar power-supply issues in vehicles not covered by the original recall," BMW told the Guardian. 

"In order to reassure customers with concerns about the safety of their vehicles, we are voluntarily extending the recall."

A BMW New Zealand spokesperson told Newshub on Thursday that "where a safety recall is issued, BMW Group New Zealand will make every effort to contact customers to ensure the recall is carried out as soon as possible."

"This particular recall has previously been communicated as a voluntary recall campaign, and as such the small numbers of affected vehicles in New Zealand have already had rectification work completed."

"For any customers who are concerned as to whether their car is affected, we urge them to contact their nearest BMW dealer and quote their vehicle's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)."

BMW faced backlash after an inquest last week heard that the company failed to recall thousands of potentially dangerous vehicles despite customers complaining power issues from as early as 2011. 

BMW didn't take action until a fault led to the death of a Gurkha veteran, Narayan Gurung, 66, who had to swerve to avoid a BMW that had broken down in Surrey, the Guardian reported. The vehicle had an electrical fault, which caused the brake lights to fail and the car to stall. 

It wasn't until three months after Gurung died, in February 2017, that BMW recalled 36,000 affected vehicles in the UK, having previously recalled vehicles with the fault in the US, Canada, Australia and South Africa. 

BMW was also forced to recall 1.4 million cars and SUVs in North America in November last year due to the risk they could catch fire. The recall affected versions of the 3-series, 5-series, X5 and Z3, a CNN report said. 

Newshub.