[puma1552]

I find it odd that BMW says, "Yeah, you're brakes are likely enough to fail where we need to do a recall, but go ahead and keep driving the car for the next 3+ months until we can get around to fixing yours, good luck!"

[claykin]

Originally Posted by bcl0328

why is it may 2012? what changed in those few months? did they know about it then and fix it? i got my car in march 2012.

For one, they changed the vacuum pump starting 5/2012. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...85&hg=11&fg=45

[ft1339]

Originally Posted by Infamouz627

So they issue a recall for the N20/26 but not for the N55 limp mode problem? I know of several members, including myself, who have gotten into close calls because we couldn't accelerate into or out of traffic quick enough...i.e. merging from an on ramp.

Maybe I'm not understanding this right but... Can't you just move over to the shoulder if you get into a limp mode while getting onto the highway? You have enough momentum to move to the right without disturbing following cars. I've never experienced limp more so I'm just trying to understand how limp mode can be dangerous.

[puma1552]

Originally Posted by ft1339

Maybe I'm not understanding this right but... Can't you just move over to the shoulder if you get into a limp mode while getting onto the highway? You have enough momentum to move to the right without disturbing following cars. I've never experienced limp more so I'm just trying to understand how limp mode can be dangerous.

Not all onramps and highways are long drawn out ramps with shoulders where you can just putz off to the side. Plenty of the ones around here are short and shoot you right onto the highway with a tight guardrail on the right and really no shoulder, not to mention a lot of onramps are also part of an offramp as well. Losing power could be downright deadly in one of those situations.

[ft1339]

Originally Posted by puma1552

Not all onramps and highways are long drawn out ramps with shoulders where you can just putz off to the side. Plenty of the ones around here are short and shoot you right onto the highway with a tight guardrail on the right and really no shoulder, not to mention a lot of onramps are also part of an offramp as well. Losing power could be downright deadly in one of those situations.

Ok that's fair, around here onramps are loooooong and with a huge shoulder the size of a lane. I can see this being dangerous in some cases, especially if you're being tailgated during the acceleration phase (but that's the fault of the driver tailgating you).

[LDSM]

nvm

[metrathon]

I strongly consider leaving the car in front of the dealership tomorrow morning. I already had one break failure on my 7 and I was VERY lucky to make it out alive. I don't want to tempt fate.

This is a SERIOUS problem. It's not a recall for defective wipers, it's what helps you stop the car!

[Chico]

Where did you see this? Did BMW issue an official recall letter? Just curious as I haven't heard or seen anything about it.

[mntbiker]

Originally Posted by metrathon

I strongly consider leaving the car in front of the dealership tomorrow morning. I already had one break failure on my 7 and I was VERY lucky to make it out alive. I don't want to tempt fate.

This is a SERIOUS problem. It's not a recall for defective wipers, it's what helps you stop the car!

I'm not trying to say that it's not a serious issue.. but, if you think about the number of cars with this engine driving around on the roads, statistically it seems pretty unlikely that you will have a failure between now and when they can fix it with the recall. It seems a little paranoid to stop driving the car. I think it's important to be aware of the issue..

FWIW, other people who had this happen to them (on the forums) seemed to say that the brakes still worked but it was just much harder to push them. They had to really stand on the brakes to get the car to stop. Very scary, no doubt.

Originally Posted by Chico

Where did you see this? Did BMW issue an official recall letter? Just curious as I haven't heard or seen anything about it.

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=894522

[Chico]

Originally Posted by mntbiker

I'm not trying to say that it's not a serious issue.. but, if you think about the number of cars with this engine driving around on the roads, statistically it seems pretty unlikely that you will have a failure between now and when they can fix it with the recall. It seems a little paranoid to stop driving the car. I think it's important to be aware of the issue..

FWIW, other people who had this happen to them (on the forums) seemed to say that the brakes still worked but it was just much harder to push them. They had to really stand on the brakes to get the car to stop. Very scary, no doubt.



http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=894522

thank you.

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by metrathon

I strongly consider leaving the car in front of the dealership tomorrow morning. I already had one break failure on my 7 and I was VERY lucky to make it out alive. I don't want to tempt fate.

From BMW:

Should you continue to drive your N20/N26 powered BMW
"BMW says it is safe to continue to drive your vehicle for now. As soon as you get the service letter that will be coming in December you should have the recall work performed. If you feel a loss of braking power pull to the side of the road and have your BMW towed to the nearest dealer by BMW Roadside Assistance."

[ben_e71]

Yes there is a difference between brake failure I.e. You have no brakes and loss of powered braking I.e. You are doing all of the braking yourself. Plus the articles on one of these threads said three cars so far with the issue materialising. That's a tiny statistical amount.

[ZheHbKa]

Originally Posted by Elk

Perhaps not this specific fault.

Keep in mind, however, the N20 and N26 have been around for two years plus and are being recalled now. Time on the road is no guarantee; it is a BMW.

so it might be a combination with specific model type.

sad to see a lot of low reliability comments, but most are unfortunately true

[bcl0328]

Originally Posted by claykin

For one, they changed the vacuum pump starting 5/2012. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...85&hg=11&fg=45

right, so my car still has the old pump and isn't affected by this recall?

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by ben_e71

Yes there is a difference between brake failure I.e. You have no brakes and loss of powered braking I.e. You are doing all of the braking yourself. Plus the articles on one of these threads said three cars so far with the issue materialising. That's a tiny statistical amount.

NHTSA seems to have seven reports, and there are others mentioned implicating the N55 (one in an Active Hybrid, one in an F10). In addition, if you search the F30 boards, you will find a number of braking-related complaints that seem to implicate the power brake system. Don't assume it's a small problem -- after all, BMW has put a delivery hold on all models with the 4-cylinder engine. What would be useful information at this point is, how much force is required to apply the brakes without assist? There are anecdotal reports that it can't be done at all. I doubt that, but who knows for sure? BMW says the cars are safe to drive "for now", and that must mean that some braking is possible, unless they are relying on the parking brake alone. If they are, it would be nice to know that.

[rxander]

Thanks to the OP for this heads up!

[bmw142]

Originally Posted by raleedy

NHTSA seems to have seven reports, and there are others mentioned implicating the N55 (one in an Active Hybrid, one in an F10). In addition, if you search the F30 boards, you will find a number of braking-related complaints that seem to implicate the power brake system. Don't assume it's a small problem -- after all, BMW has put a delivery hold on all models with the 4-cylinder engine. What would be useful information at this point is, how much force is required to apply the brakes without assist? There are anecdotal reports that it can't be done at all. I doubt that, but who knows for sure? BMW says the cars are safe to drive "for now", and that must mean that some braking is possible, unless they are relying on the parking brake alone. If they are, it would be nice to know that.

When the brakes fail with this problem, the pedal becomes rock hard and can not be depressed any further yet the car continues to roll. I have this problem and the only way I found to stop the car was to pump the brakes really quickly and it would finally stop. Happened to me 4 times and have gone through two vacuum pumps and a camshaft replacement.

The main problem with this has been since it is so erratic as to when it can happen, at the beginning the mechanics were saying nothing was wrong. It was not until a handfull brought their complaints to the NHTSA did something happen.

BMWNA customer service is a joke and you will just be bounced around the phone system. I had an Executive Customer care person handling my case for the past few months and he never returned phone calls or emails. Denial.

Is it a safety issue, yes. This was my 4th BMW and will be my last. They are no where near the vehicle as far as build and reliability they once were.

Until everyone stops drinking the Ultimate Driving Machine Kool-Aide, nothing will change.

There is a lengthy discussion on this over at http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=894833

[raleedy]

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=843186

[claykin]

Originally Posted by bcl0328

right, so my car still has the old pump and isn't affected by this recall?

Was your car built before 5/2012? If so, and you have a N20/N26, you are not part of recall....for now.

[LDSM]

I wonder if this problem presents itself soon or if it's something than can develop over time. I also wonder if it happens during low speeds or if it can happen at high speeds.

All the accounts I've read were of cars with approx 1,000 miles, during low speeds

[PK2348]

Originally Posted by elevenfive

I wonder if this problem presents itself soon or if it's something than can develop over time. I also wonder if it happens during low speeds or if it can happen at high speeds.

All the accounts I've read were of cars with approx 1,000 miles, during low speeds

it happened on my car only once so far. Back in July. It was at a very slow speed, however the car was about 1 year old with 11K miles on it at the time of the incident.

[horas3000]

What about my little N13