BMW recalls 312,000 vehicles in U.K. over stalling risk

BMW. Photo: Pixabay

May 10 (UPI) — BMW announced an expanded recall Wednesday on 312,000 cars in the United Kingdom due to an electrical flaw that can cause the engine to stall while moving.

The recall is an expansion of an existing B+ battery connector recall impacting the BMW’s 1 Series, 3 Series, Z4 and its X1 petrol and diesel models built between March 2007 and August 2011, the U.K. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency website shows.

“It is possible that the connection between the B+ cable and the power distribution box can become damaged by wear and heat, which is caused by high current flow and high contact resistance,” said the U.K. government agency, which monitors recalls. “Normally, this will result in a non-start situation after parking the vehicle. However, it is possible that this could, in extreme cases, occur whilst the vehicle is in motion.

“The driver should be made aware of the issue by flickering of the instrument cluster (dash) or an engine misfire; but if the driver does not, then the engine could cut out without warning.”

BMW initially recalled 36,410 cars over the stalling issue. However, after a BBC watchdog found that the cars could freeze up while driving, BMW acknowledged similar problems in more cars.

“We now recognize that there may have been some cases of similar power supply issues in vehicles not covered by the original recall,” BMW said. “In order to reassure customers with concerns about the safety of their vehicles, we are voluntarily extending the recall.”

The cars were first recalled after Narayan Gurung died Christmas Day 2016 while driving with his wife. His his Ford Fiesta crashed into a tree to evade a stalled BMW in Surrey, the BBC reported.

BMW Photo Pixabay

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