Recall: 176,000 BMWs for power braking failure

BMW is recalling 176,000 cars worldwide to fix power brake failures, according to wire reports and filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

On 2012-2014 BMW models with the company's new 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine -- including the Z4 sDrive28i, 320i and 328i, 528i, X1 sDrive28i and xDrive28i, and the X3 xDrive28i -- the engine vacuum pump can lose pressurized oil meant to drive the power brake mechanism.

Due to a poor fit of the intake camshaft's seal disk, oil may be blocked from leaving the engine to lubricate the vacuum pump, which could then cause the vacuum pump to fail and the loss of power-assist braking. While the brakes would still work, stopping distances would increase due to increased driver force needed on the brake pedal.

A total of 76,190 cars are affected in the U.S. The diesel-powered 328d is not affected.

BMW first discovered the issue from a U.S. dealer in October 2012 and while it initiated further quality checks at its factories and moved the seal disk deeper within the camshaft, the problems continued to mount throughout this year. By September, BMW said it received 105 warranty claims, 61 reports from dealers and 23 owner complaints regarding failed vacuum pumps and loss of braking. The issue typically occurred within the first hundred miles, BMW said.

In November BMW dealers will install a locking ring into the camshaft so the seal disk won't move anymore. Owners can call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at CustomerRelations@bm​​wusa.com.

In February BMW recalled V8-powered X5 models from 2007-2010 that had similar vacuum pump and power braking failures. A check valve in the brake vacuum pump connected to that engine -- a one-way valve that releases pressure and is supposed to keep an airtight seal -- can leak small amounts of lubricating oil into the vacuum hose that connects to the brake booster, which is responsible for providing power assist. Also in February, BMW recalled 570,000 cars, including the Z4 and previous-generation 3-Series, for power failures and engine stalling.

In May, BMW recalled 42,080 3-Series cars from 2002-2003 to replace frontal airbags that had inflators that could rupture and injure occupants during a crash.

[Source: NHTSA]


Source: MSN