NHTSA recall 12V-502 (12V502000)
power train recall reported October 17, 2012 - about 45,500 vehicles affected.
- NHTSA campaign number
- 12V502000
- Also written as
- 12V-502
- Reported
- October 17, 2012
- Vehicles affected
- ~45,500
- Component
- power train
What is being recalled
BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the transmission to Park when the driver presses the Start/Stop button to shutdown the engine. If the driver presses the engine Start/Stop button 2 or 3 times within a short time interval, the system may shift the transmission to Neutral rather than Park. If using the electronic key (Comfort Access mode), there would be no protection from the ignition interlock that prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in Park.
Why it is dangerous
If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. Unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or enter the vehicle or to other bystanders in the path of the vehicle.
The fix (free at any franchised dealer)
BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Recall repairs are always free, regardless of vehicle age or where you bought the car. Quote the campaign number 12V-502 when calling a dealer.
Affected 6 models
Each year links to that car's full history: every recall, owner complaints and common problems.
Source: NHTSA recall campaign data (public domain), refreshed weekly. See also the latest recall campaigns.