BMW recalls turbocharged six-cylinder

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BMW recalls turbocharged six-cylinder
Chris Harris
November 1, 2010 - 11:47AM

Potential steering and brake issues could result following engine problems in some BMW six-cylinder vehicles, but Australian cars may not be recalled.

A BMW recall in the United States that involves more than 150,000 vehicles is set to become a worldwide issue that will affect cars sold in Australia.

Faulty fuel pumps that could cause a loss of power will affect an unspecified number of models powered by the company’s award-winning 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine, codenamed N54.

A potential fuel pump failure may reduce engine performance or cause a loss of power assistance to the brakes and steering, the company says.


Models potentially affected include all 335i body variants (sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible) built from 2007 to 2010; 135i coupes and convertibles; X6 xDrive35i SUVs from 2008 to 2010; and Z4 sDrive35i roadsters from 2009 to 2010.

BMW’s German headquarters is still to announce which and how many models will be affected worldwide, including Australia.

BMW Group Australia spokesman Piers Scott says the company will issue a list of vehicle chassis numbers to BMW Australia, which will then contact owners.

“We’re not sure how many cars this will affect here in Australia yet. But it will be a ‘technical campaign’ here – not a safety recall – which means that the work can be carried out on the car’s next scheduled service,” he says.

“If owners are affected via an ‘engine malfunction’ dash warning light, the cars will effectively shut down to safety mode, which means they can still drive, steer and brake, but with reduced engine power.’’

BMW North America announced in a recent statement that it would voluntarily recall about 130,000 N54-powered vehicles.

Of that figure, approximately 40,000 affected vehicles are expected to need a new high-pressure fuel pump, while others may require a software update for the direct fuel-injection system.

“Symptoms include long-crank engine starting times along with the illumination of the ‘service engine soon’ light,” the company said.

In a separate recall, BMW North America said it has notified the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that more than 20,000 2008-model X5 SUVs powered by a naturally aspirated 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine will require replacement of the low-pressure fuel pump. BMW said there have been no reports of accidents or injuries.

Debuting in Australia in the 335i sedan in 2006, the 3.0-litre twin-turbo N54 six-cylinder engine has since been replaced by a twin-scroll, single-turbo engine (codenamed N55) that produces the same 225kW/400Nm performance but with reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The twin-turbo engine continues to service the 740i limousine and range-topping Z4 sDrive35is roadster.

Earlier last month, the Bavarian brand recalled more than 350,000 BMW and Rolls-Royce vehicles worldwide due to brake issues that the company emphasised were “without danger”.

The US was most affected by the recall with a total of 198,000 vehicles, concerning braking systems that could become “slightly more difficult to use” following an extended period of operation, the company said. It affected V8-powered BMW 5- and 6-Series models as well as V8 and V12-powered 7-Series and Rolls-Royce vehicles.

The US market is the BMW Group’s biggest market after Germany.