Automobile giant BMW has announced a worldwide recall of 1.5 million vehicles over potential faults with their integrated braking system.
The German carmaker said the fault could, in rare instances, affect braking pressure as well as the functioning of the ABS and DSC systems.
BMW’s local spokesperson confirmed to IOL that 3,700 BMW and Mini vehicles were potentially affected in South Africa.
These include the BMW X1, X2, X5, X7 and XM crossovers, as well as the 5 Series and 7 Series sedans and the Mini Cooper and Countryman.
The vehicles in question were built between June 2022 and August 2024, and the issue also affects a number of newly-built vehicles that have not been sold as yet. This is an expansion of a much smaller recall that was initiated internationally earlier in 2024.
The carmaker said that owners of affected vehicles were contacted and, where possible, messages were sent via their vehicles.
Furthermore, a Diagnosis Software is now available to detect the potential braking fault before it occurs, and this is already fitted to some of the affected vehicles.
If a fault is detected, the software displays a message on the vehicle’s central screen, requesting the owner to visit a BMW or Mini partner, which will then replace the braking system free of charge.
The above mentioned recall will apply to vehicles that are not yet fitted with this software.
“In the very unlikely event that the malfunction occurs despite the Diagnosis Software or early warning, it would be necessary for the driver to increase the force required to brake, depending on the situation,” BMW said in a statement.
“At the same time, other brake control functions, such as the Antilock Braking System (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), would not be available. In any case, the driver would be informed before or during the journey if this signal fault occurs by lighting up the brake warning lamps in the dashboard and by displaying a check control message on the central screen.
“The brake system is then in safe mode, which will continue to provide a high level of safety. The legally required standards for braking performance are also met in this case; braking can always be carried out,” BMW added.
IOL Motoring