Safety Recall 17V-676 – Blower Motor Wiring – 2006-2011 BMW 3 Series

NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V676
Manufacturer BMW of North America, LLC
Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected 672,775

 

Blower Motor Wiring may Overheat

Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

 

Summary

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

 

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 18, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

Check if your BMW has a Recall

 

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TIS Service Bulletin

SI B64 07 17		November 2017
Heating and Air Conditioning		Technical Service

 

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RECALL 17V-676: BLOWER MOTOR WIRING

MODEL

E90 (3 Series Sedan including M3)
E91 (3 Series Wagon)
E92 (3 Series Coupe including M3)
E93 (3 Series Convertible including M3)

 

SITUATION

BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Safety Recall (effective November 2, 2017) on Model Year 2006-2011 BMW 3 Series involving the wiring of the blower motor.

This issue involves the wiring for the system – known as the “blower-motor” – that controls air flow for the heating and cooling (air conditioning) system. Over time, and due to a number of contributing factors, the connection between the wiring and this system can degrade.

Approximately 672,775 vehicles are affected by this recall.

Vehicles in dealer inventory are affected by this recall. Vehicles which are affected will show the campaign as “Open” when checked either in AIR or ISPA Next. Once the Warranty Vehicle Inquiry system is updated on Friday, November 3, 2017, it will display the same information. The affected vehicles will be identified with the comment: 0061660400 B640717 Recall: Blower Motor Wiring – Do not retail or deliver.

The repair procedure is still under development and the part numbers have not yet been confirmed. Please do not order those listed in ETK for this recall. This bulletin will be updated with repair instructions, parts and warranty information when they become available. Please monitor the Parts Matrix for parts ordering procedures.

Since this information is initial and a remedy is currently unavailable, it’s recommended that your center utilize BMW loaners (AMP) / rental vehicles as needed for those customers requesting alternate transportation.

Recall notice and Q&A have been attached for further information.

Points of Contact:

If you have any questions in the meantime, contact your Aftersales Area Manager. Please direct any media inquiries to BMW NA Corporate Communications at corpcomm@bmwna.com

 

ATTACHMENTS

View PDF attachment B640717 Recall Notice.

View PDF attachment 2017-BMW-MY2006-2011-E9x-Blower-Motor-Wiring-QA-(30Oct2017)-FINAL.

View PDF attachment B640717 Dealer Script.

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SAFETY RECALL NOTICE

To:	All Center Operators, Sales Managers, Service Manager, Parts Manager and Warranty Processor
RE:	Recall 17V-676: Blower Motor Wiring B64 07 17

 

BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Safety Recall (effective November 2, 2017) on Model Year 2006-2011 BMW 3 Series involving the wiring of the blower motor.

Owners will be notified by First Class mail about the Recall and will be instructed to bring their vehicles in for a free repair when parts are available.

Please be reminded that it is a violation of federal law (The Safety Act) for you to sell, lease or deliver any new motor vehicle covered by this notification until the recall repair has been performed.  This means that centers may not legally deliver new motor vehicles to consumers until they are fixed or use/sell replacement equipment/parts subject to this recall.  Note also that substantial civil penalties apply to violations of the Safety Act.

Also, you should not sell, lease or deliver any Certified Pre-Owned or used vehicles subject to a safety recall until the repair is completed.

Please follow any special instructions that we provide to you for the return or disposition of recall parts.  

We appreciate all your assistance with this Recall.

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Safety Recall 17V-676
Blower-Motor-Wiring
Model Year 2006-2011
BMW 3 Series (including M3)
Last Update: 10/30/2017

 

Q1. Which BMW models in the US are potentially affected by this Safety Recall?

Approximately 672,775 BMW vehicles in the US, as noted below, are potentially affected.

Series	Model Year	Model	Approx. Volume	Production Dates
E90	2006-2011	3 Series Sedan	466,598	Feb 2005 – Apr 2011
E91	2006-2011	3 Series Wagon	12,107	Jun 2005 – Apr 2011
E92	2007-2011	3 Series Coupe	96,368	Apr 2006 – May 2011
E93	2007-2011	3 Series Convertible	69,803	Nov 2006 – May 2011
E90	2009-2011	3 Series Diesel	7,689	Mar 2008 – Apr 2011
E90	2008-2011	M3 Sedan	4,726	Nov 2007 – Apr 2011
E92	2008-2011	M3 Coupe	9,797	Jun 2007 – May 2011
E93	2008-2011	M3 Convertible	5,687	Nov 2007 – May 2011

 

Q2.  What is the specific issue?

This issue involves the wiring for the system – known as the “blower-motor” – that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system.  Over time, and due to a number of contributing factors, the connection between the wiring and this system can degrade.

 

Q3. What can happen as a result of this issue?

Degradation of the wiring connection over time, due to long-term exposure to vehicle vibrations and climatic conditions, could lead to corrosion and possibly to an increase in electrical resistance at the connection.  In rare cases, this could further lead to overheating, the possibility of melting at the connection point, and potentially to a short circuit.  In extremely rare cases, the melting could propagate and lead to a fire.

 

Q4. Why are other vehicles not included in this Safety Recall?

Other models have different designs for the blower-motor wiring, and for the blower-motor which controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system.

 

Q5. Do I need to stop driving my vehicle?

No.  The possibility of this issue occurring is extremely rare.

However, you should stop driving your vehicle if any of the following warning signs occur:

• You see smoke entering the interior through the heating and cooling air vents.
• You smell smoke, or a plastic burning odor, in the interior.

If any of these warning signs occur, then as soon as possible, carefully move away from traffic, pull over to a safe location, and shut off the engine.  All occupants should carefully exit the vehicle and move to a safe location away from traffic.  Do not continue to drive your vehicle.

Dial 911 in the event of an emergency or contact an authorized BMW center immediately to have your vehicle brought to the nearest authorized BMW center for inspection and, if necessary, repair.

If an authorized BMW center is not available, then contact BMW Roadside Assistance at 1-800332-4269.  Please note that if you no longer have roadside coverage, you may be required to pay in advance for the towing service.  However,   BMW will reimburse you for the towing service after validation of the recall repair claim.

 

Q6. I am nervous about continuing to drive my vehicle.  Can I get a loaner vehicle?  Is alternate transportation available?

If you request a loaner vehicle and replacement parts are not available, we have directed our authorized BMW centers to assist customers with alternate transportation needs.

 

Q7. Can I determine if this issue exists in my vehicle?

No.  This can only be determined through proper inspection at an authorized BMW center.

 

Q8. How did BMW become aware of the problem?

BMW became aware of the problem through our quality control procedures.

 

Q9. How will I be informed of this Safety Recall?

All affected owners will receive an initial letter in December via First Class mail advising them of this recall.  Due to the large vehicle population, sufficient parts may not be immediately available to repair all vehicles.  Therefore, affected owners will receive a second letter on a rolling basis as parts become available.  When owners receive the second letter, they should promptly schedule an appointment with an authorized BMW center to have this recall performed.  The nearest authorized BMW center can be located at www.bmwusa.com/dealers.

To ensure BMW has the most recent contact and vehicle information, owners should register their vehicle at www.bmwusa.com/myBMW.  Registration is free, and will give them access to factory initiated campaigns and other information specific to their BMW.

 

Q10. How will my vehicle be repaired?

The wiring leading to the system that controls the heating and air conditioning system (the blower-motor) will be inspected and a new part will be installed.  In some cases, additional components may need to be replaced which will be determined at the time of repair.

 

Q11. How long will the repair take?

This repair should take approximately one to two hours, depending upon the specific repair necessary; however, additional time may be required depending upon your BMW center’s schedule.  The repair will be performed free of charge by your authorized BMW center.

 

Q12. Do I have to wait for my letter to have my vehicle serviced?

Yes.   Due to the large vehicle volume, a sufficient quantity of parts may not be immediately available for all potentially affected vehicles.  Therefore, potentially affected owners will receive a second letter on a rolling basis.  When you receive the second letter, you should promptly schedule an appointment with an authorized BMW center to have this recall performed.  You can locate your nearest authorized BMW center at www.bmwusa.com/dealers.

 

Q13. I see the “TREAD Act Customer Reimbursement Plan” attached to my letter.  Can you explain what that is about?  Am I eligible for reimbursement?

If you have already had this repair performed at your own expense, you may be eligible for reimbursement of certain expenses that you incurred.

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Dealer Script:

Thank you for your call / inquiry regarding the current blower motor wiring (and or PCV Valve Heater) recall.  I want to personally assure you that BMW of North America takes your safety and this situation very seriously. BMW has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, known as NHTSA, of our intent to recall approximately 1 million cars and SUV’s.

Currently, we do not have a fixed date for the replacement parts.

Here’s what I can tell you: If you own a potentially affected BMW vehicle, you will be sent a first-class letter in the mail within the next few weeks with more information on what you can do prior to availability of the replacements parts. Once the parts are available, owners will receive another letter with instructions on what to do to have the parts replaced.

While I certainly understand that this may not answer all your questions, I hope it helps a little to know what to expect in light of this recall. BMW is working as quickly as possible to address this situation and we very much appreciate your patience.  In the meantime, more information can be found on our website: https://www.bmwusa.com/ scroll to the bottom left side of the page and click: Safety Recalls, enter the last 7 digits of your VIN and click enter. This will provide you with the current Q&A document.

Thank you for calling us and we will be happy to help you as soon as parts become available.

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https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCMN-17V676-5844.pdf

 

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https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V676-8778.pdf

 

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https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCAK-17V676-3289.pdf

 

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