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BMW Engine and Cooling Recalls Include Stalling and Fire Risks
These BMW engine and cooling notices combine two fire hazards with defects that can interrupt engine operation. The water pump connector recall spans numerous models, including 2012–2015 X1 variants, 2013–2017 X3 variants, 2015–2018 X4 xDrive28i vehicles, and 2016–2018 X5 xDrive40e vehicles. Water exposure at an improperly sealed connector can cause a short circuit. Separately, certain 2023 X7 M60i and XM vehicles have exhaust fasteners that may not have been tightened correctly. The crankshaft sensor notice covers specified 2018–2019 BMW models and describes incorrect firmware that can cause stalling. The connecting rod notice concerns one unsold 2019 F850GS motorcycle.
Warning signs to watch for
- Vehicle stalling: the 2018-07-12 crankshaft sensor recall explicitly describes a possible stall.
- Loss of engine power: the 2018-11-26 F850GS connecting rod recall explicitly describes this consequence.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of these four notices carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction. The X7 and XM exhaust fastener notice and the water pump connector notice describe fire risks but do not tell owners to stop driving. The crankshaft sensor notice likewise does not tell owners to stop driving despite its stalling risk. The F850GS connecting rod notice describes loss of engine power and says the affected motorcycle had not been sold; its engine would be replaced before sale.
What the free repair involves
Dealers replace the exhaust gasket and tighten fasteners for the X7/XM recall, replace the crankshaft sensor for its recall, and replace the F850GS engine before sale. For the water pump recall, dealers inspect and replace the pump and plug connector as necessary and install a protective shield. These remedies are free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 1 |
| high | 3 |
Models affected most
Where owners report engine and engine cooling problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under engine and engine cooling for the BMW models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Engine and engine cooling complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 BMW X5 | 20 |
| 2018 BMW X4 | 8 |
| 2018 BMW X1 | 5 |
| 2018 BMW X2 | 2 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 13, 2024 | BMW X4, X5 Water Pump Connector May Short | high |
| Apr 26, 2023 | BMW X7 and XM Exhaust Fastener Fire Risk | critical |
| Nov 26, 2018 | BMW F850GS Motorcycle Engine Connecting Rods Loose | high |
| Jul 12, 2018 | BMW, MINI: Crankshaft Sensor May Cause Stalling | high |
Common questions
What causes the water pump connector fire risk?
The August 2024 notice says an improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit. Dealers inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary and install a protective shield, free of charge.
Is the crankshaft sensor recall about a software update?
The notice identifies incorrect firmware in the crankshaft sensor as the problem, potentially preventing proper processing of crankshaft reluctor ring input and causing a stall. Its specified remedy is replacement of the crankshaft sensor, free of charge.
What does BMW repair on the recalled X7 and XM?
For certain 2023 X7 M60i and XM vehicles, dealers replace the gasket between the exhaust system and catalytic converter and tighten the fasteners, free of charge. The notice says a loose connection increases the risk of fire.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.