The 7 Series is BMW's ultimate expression of luxury, a full-size sedan that oozes class and makes whoever's inside look like a rock star. There's a plug-in model for EV aspirations, while V12 power is not for the faint of heart. This is a car designed as much around the driver as for rear-seat passengers, who can enjoy all manner of upscale features -- if the buyer is willing to pay for them.
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the double universal joint on the steering shaft may become damaged during certain steering maneuvers. As a result, there could be a sudden change in steering feel and an increase in steering effort.
Safety Risk:
A sudden change in steering effort could increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the double universal joint on the steering shaft.
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French.
Safety Risk:
This error does not affect vehicle safety.
Corrective Actions:
This is not a recall. The company has corrected the tire and loading information label for all new vehicles.
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the steering wheel hands-on detection system may not detect when the driver removes their hands from the steering wheel. If the driver has an emergency and is unable to drive, the emergency stopping assistant system would not activate.
Note: This recall is an expansion of Transport Canada recall no. 2023-561.
Safety Risk:
An emergency stopping assistant system that doesn't work in an emergency situation could increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the steering wheel ground connection and, if necessary, tighten it.
Issue:
On certain vehicles, a problem with the integrated brake system could cause reduced power brake assist. As a result, there may be reduced braking and the antilock braking system (ABS) and dynamic stability control (DSC) may not work.
Note: This recall replaces Transport Canada recall no. 2024-087.
Safety Risk:
Reduced braking can cause extended stopping distances and could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, antilock brake and stability control systems that don't work could increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
The company will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the integrated brake system.
Issue:
On certain vehicles, a problem with the integrated brake system could cause reduced power brake assist. As a result, there may be reduced braking and the antilock braking system (ABS) and dynamic stability control (DSC) may not work.
Safety Risk:
Reduced braking can cause extended stopping distances and could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, antilock brake and stability control systems that don't work could increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
The company will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the integrated brake system.
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the steering wheel hands-on detection system may not detect when the driver removes their hands from the steering wheel. If the driver has an emergency and is unable to drive, the emergency stopping assistant system would not activate.
Safety Risk:
An emergency stopping assistant system that doesn't work in an emergency situation could increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the steering wheel ground connection and, if necessary, tighten it.
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the connection between the windshield wiper motor and windshield wipers could loosen and slip. If this happens, the windshield wipers may not work.
Safety Risk:
Windshield wipers that don't work could reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect, and if necessary, replace the windshield wiper system.
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the driver may not be able to control the windshield defrosting/defogging system and/or hazard lights using the interaction bar on the dashboard. Additionally, the control buttons may not light up when pressed.
Safety Risk:
A windshield that can't be defogged or defrosted can reduce visibility. Hazard lights that don't work could make the vehicle less visible. Both could increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the interaction bar.
Issue:
On a small number of vehicles, the front seat frames may not have been properly welded. As a result, the front seats could move in a crash.
Safety Risk:
A seat that moves in a crash could create an increased risk of injury.
Corrective Actions:
BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to bring your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the front seats, and replace the front structure of the seat(s) if necessary.
Issue:
On certain vehicles, a software problem may cause the front passenger seat position not to be recognized. If this happens, the airbag warning lamp would turn on, a warning message would be displayed, and the passenger-front airbag, knee airbag, and active headrest would not deploy in a crash.
Note: This recall only affects vehicles with the Executive Lounge Seating package.
Safety Risk:
Airbags that do not work properly could increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Corrective Actions:
None of the affected vehicles have been sold to retail customers. BMW will update the vehicle software before the vehicles are sold. BMW recommends that if the airbag warning lamp is on, and a warning message is displayed, you should not transport a person in the front-passenger seat until the recall repairs have been completed.
Issue:
On certain vehicles, there may be a software problem with the Telematics Control Unit (TCU). As a result, the vehicle location may not be provided when an emergency call is made.
Safety Risk:
If the vehicle location is not provided when an emergency call is made, there could be a delay in the response from emergency services.
Corrective Actions:
None of the affected vehicles have been delivered to owners. BMW will instruct dealers to update the Telematics Control Unit (TCU) before each vehicle is delivered.
Issue:
On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the vacuum pump to be damaged during engine starting. If this happens, there could be a loss of brake assist. This can cause an increase in brake pedal effort and increase the distance needed to stop the vehicle.
Safety Risk:
A sudden increase in brake pedal force could lead to an increased stopping distance. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the engine management software.
Issue:
On certain cars, there may be a problem with the side curtain airbag inflators. This could cause the airbags to inflate with more force than normal in a crash. It could also cause the airbag inflator to separate. If this happens, pieces could be propelled toward the occupants.
Safety Risk:
An airbag that does not work properly could create an increased risk of injury in a crash.
Corrective Actions:
To reduce the safety risk, BMW recommends that you should not carry any passengers in your car until the recall repairs are completed. BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your car to a dealer to replace the left and/or right head curtain airbags, as necessary.
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the rearview camera does not return to the default settings when it turns on. This could make the rearview image difficult to see if a driver had previously adjusted the camera display brightness at or near the lowest setting, and contrast at or near the highest setting. Canadian regulations require that the rearview display returns to the default view each time the camera is turned on.
Safety Risk:
Reduced rear visibility could increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the rearview camera. Drivers are recommended not to adjust the display brightness at or near the lowest setting, and contrast at or near the highest setting, until this recall is completed.
On certain vehicles, the cooler for Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module may develop an internal leak and coolant could mix with diesel engine soot/sediment. In rare circumstances, this condition could result in smouldering particles and lead to the melting of the intake manifold, increasing the risk of a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the EGR cooler, and if necessary, replace it. If it is determined that the EGR cooler has leaked internally, the intake manifold will also be replaced. The EGR pipe connecting the cooler to the manifold will be cleaned. Note: An operator may be alerted to this condition by one or more of the following symptoms: A warning symbol in the instrument cluster displaying a loss of engine coolant, a reduction in engine power, an unpleasant odour (exhaust gas), an unusual noise from the engine compartment, and/or smoke from the engine compartment.
On certain vehicles, the auxiliary water pump (which cools the turbocharger after the engine is turned OFF) can overheat and fail. This could result in a vehicle fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump. Note: Owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors until the remedy is applied. Additional note: This is an expansion of recalls 2011-376 and 2012-008.
On certain vehicles equipped with a V12 engine, an incorrect engine cooler line may have been installed, and could cause an oil leak during engine operation. If the oil cooler line leaks, oil could contact a front brake disc, or the road surface, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the engine oil cooler line.
Certain vehicles may have had a replacement/spare part left rear tail lamp installed during a dealer service visit which did not contain a rear reflex reflector, thus failing to comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. This could reduce vehicle conspicuity which would increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will inspect the left rear tail lamp assembly, and if necessary, replace the unit with one that includes a reflex reflector.
On certain vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access or Comfort Access in combination with the Soft Close Automatic door latching system options, the doors may not latch correctly. As a result, doors which appear to be latched could unlatch while driving. This could increase the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant seated next to the door, or result in damage to property. Correction: Dealers will remove the cams from the door locks and reprogram the Comfort Access System as necessary.
On certain vehicles, a Sensor Cluster Unit (SCU) having incorrect programming may have been installed in error by dealers during servicing. As the SCU helps determine if the driver and/or passenger airbags, seat belt pretensioners and active head restraints should be deployed during a crash, incorrect programming could result in an inadequate activation of one or more of these restraint systems in a crash. This could increase the risk of injury to occupants. Correction: Dealers will replace the SCU. Note: In the interim, owners are advised to stop operating their vehicle until the defect has been repaired.
On certain vehicles, the air bag control module housing may contain metallic particles which were left in the module due to a manufacturing process error. These particles could contact components within the module, which could cause a short circuit and briefly render the module inoperative, which could affect deployment of air bags and seatbelt pretensioners in a crash (where deployment is warranted) which could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Correction: Dealers will replace the air bag control module. Note: The short circuit would result in the air bag light illuminating.
Certain vehicles, which were parked at the port of entry in Halifax during the ice storms in February 2015, may have been exposed to excessive standing water and salt for an extended period due to this isolated environmental incident. Certain MINI models could have corrosion at the starter motor power supply cable connectors, which could lead to the inability to restart the engine following an engine shutdown by the start-stop (MSA) system, increasing the risk of crash causing injury in a traffic situation. On certain BMW models, the lubrication of some internal components within the steering rack may have been exposed to excessive water or salt which could result in higher than normal steering effort or steering binding, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. In addition, electrical wires and/or connectors in all affected vehicles may have been exposed to water or salt, which could lead to increased electrical system resistance, and increase the risk of fire causing injury and/or damage to property.
Correction: Owners should contact their selling Retailer regarding this recall. Affected vehicles will be inspected. Some vehicles will be taken out of service immediately and owners will be provided with temporary transportation until a new replacement vehicle is available. All other vehicles are cleared of this safety concern and may continue to be driven until a new replacement vehicle is available. Due to potential concerns about long term vehicle quality, all affected vehicles will ultimately be removed from service.
On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat can fatigue over time. As a result, the passenger airbag could deactivate, illuminating the airbag warning lamp and the passenger airbag ON/OFF lamp. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Vehicles will receive special extended warranty coverage of 10 years from first registration. Under this special coverage program, vehicles which experience this condition will have the occupant detection mat replaced.
On certain vehicles equipped with the Soft Close Automatic, as well as the Comfort Access option, the doors may not latch correctly. Should a door open while the vehicle is underway, an unbelted occupant could fall from the vehicle and sustain personal injury. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Car Access System Control Module with updated software.
On certain vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option, if the driver depresses the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral (N) instead of Park (P). If the driver leaves the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, a sufficient slope could cause the vehicle to roll away. A rollaway vehicle could strike another vehicle, stationary object, or a bystander, causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Central Gateway Control Module with updated software.
On certain vehicles, the auxiliary water pump (which cools the turbocharger after the engine is turned OFF) can overheat and fail. This could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump. Note: Owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors until the remedy is applied.
On certain vehicles, a check valve in the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time, this could result in contamination of the brake booster. Loss of brake power assist could occur which, in conjunction with traffic, road conditions, and driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster and master cylinder. Additionally, the brake vacuum line (including the check valve) will be replaced to eliminate the possibility of oil reaching the brake booster.
Certain vehicles are equipped with a tire information label that does not conform to the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. It is indicating that the vehicle's seating capacity is five (5) passengers but the actual seating capacity is only for four (4) passengers. However the tire size, tire pressure and vehicles capacity weight on label are correct. Correction: New labels will be applied/provided.
On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat can fatigue during field usage depending on the seat configuration, vehicle geometry, manner and frequency of front passenger entry/exit. Over time micro cracks could develop in the side flanks of the mat, which could lead to a break of the conductive path and the system will recognize a failure and with exception of head protection system the front passenger air bag will be deactivated. The airbag On/Off lamp will be illuminated to make the occupants aware of the deactivation. Correction: The occupant detection mat will be granted a warranty extension of 10 years.
On certain vehicles, the rear shock lower bushings may not have been manufactured to specification (improper vulcanization of the bushing). Depending on vehicle operation and temperature conditions, this could lead to a loosening of the bushing within its housing. Over time, the bushing could continue to loosen and may eventually separate from its housing. Correction: Dealers will replace the rear strut assemblies.
On certain vehicles, the guide plate of the automatic transmission's parking lock pawl subsystem may fail. This could cause the parking lock pawl not to engage, after placing the transmission in the PARK position. If the vehicle was parked on an incline of sufficient grade, and the parking brake was not engaged, the vehicle could roll away. Correction: Dealers will replace the guide plate.
On certain vehicles equipped with heated seats, excessive contact with the seat backrest side bolster upon entering and exiting the vehicle may damage the heating mat located in this area. If this happened, the seated occupant may experience excessive heat in this location. The heating mat could damage, or melt a small hole in the lower portion of the backrest's outboard side bolster. If this were to occur, an electrical/melting smell or small amount of smoke would be noticeable. In some cases, the small hole in the backrest's side bolster could damage the seated occupant's clothing. In rare instances, this could lead to a minor or superficial skin injury. Correction: Dealers will modify the seat heating circuit for the front seat backrests.
On certain vehicles, the driver's seat occupant detection system may not be able to reliably determine if the driver's seat is occupied. As a result, it is possible that in certain crash conditions, the driver's front airbag, head protection system, safety belt pre-tensioner, and knee airbag may not deploy. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the driver's seat occupant detection system.
On certain vehicles, the digital engine management control unit was not produced according to specifications. As a result, engine stalling will occur after a short period of operation. The vehicle may not be able to be restarted. Also, a loss of power steering and, after repeated actuation of the brake pedal, a loss of brake power assistance will occur. If stalling were to occur, the driver would be unable to maintain vehicle speed or accelerate. Steering and braking, while possible, would be difficult. Depending on traffic conditions and the driver's reactions, this could lead to a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the digital engine management control unit.
On certain 745I, 745LI and 760LI vehicles, insufficient torque may have been applied to the engine oil filter drain plug which could lead to a loosening of the plug causing an initial oil spray and a subsequent oil leak. If this happens, the oil pressure warning light will illuminate, and the message "Engine oil pressure! Stop carefully" will appear in the vehicle's instrument cluster message display area. If a large amount of oil loss occurs, engine damage may result. Correction: Dealer will retorque the engine oil filter drain plug.
On certain 745I and 745LI vehicles, due to a software error in the digital engine management control unit, a desynchronization of the valvetronic motors for engine banks 1 and 2 may occur causing a rough-running engine. If this happens, the check engine light will illuminate, and the message "engine malfunction, drive with moderation" will appear in the vehicle's instrument cluster message display area. In certain extreme cases, the engine could stall and the driver may not be able to restart it. Correction: Dealer will reprogram the digital engine management control unit.
On certain 745I and 745LI vehicles the electric fuel pump runs at a rotational speed that could result in reduced lubrication of its internal components. Over an extended period of time, wear-induced internal damage to the fuel pump could result in insufficient fuel supply to the engine when the fuel tank contains one-third or less of its maximum fuel capacity. If this were to occur, the engine could stall and not be restarted until more fuel was added to the fuel tank. This could occur even though the fuel gauge indicated that fuel still remained in the tank. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the fuel pump control system.
Certain 740ILA, 750IL and M5 vehicles equipped with 18-inch tires. (18-inch tires are standard equipment on the M5 and optional equipment on the 7-series models). The machine used to mount and inflate the tires on the wheels at the assembly plant may have damaged the sidewall of one or more tires. The damaged area could weaken to the point where a sudden loss of air from the tire could occur. Handling and control would be drastically affected increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: dealers will inspect the tires and if damage from the mounting machine is found, the tire will be replaced.
Certain passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating. If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment. Correction: Dealers will replace the fan.
On certain 323I, 328I, 528I, 528IT, 540I, 540IT, 740I, 740IL, 750IL and M5 vehicles, the brake light switch capacitor housing may be cracked and in high humidity conditions the capacitor and switch housing could become overheated and deformed. As a result, a short circuit or an open circuit could occur in the switch. This could cause the switch to remain either in the "brake lamps off" position or the "brake lamps on" position. If the switch remains in the "off" position, the brake lamps will be rendered inoperative. Conversely, if the switch remains in the "on" position, the brake lamps will be continuously illuminated when the ignition switch is in the "on" position. Correction: Brake lamp switch will be replaced with an improved switch.
Subscribe for the latest car reviews, listings, products and more right in your inbox.
By clicking 'Subscribe', I agree to receive communications from AutoTrader. I can unsubscribe at anytime. I also agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.