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      09-27-2013, 05:46 PM   #1
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Recall for 2012-14 BMW Models with N20/N26 engine for power brake assist problem

September 27, 2013
Technical Service
October 11, 2013
DCSnet Message
Urgent

Subject:

Delivery Stop N20 N26 Vacuum Pump Oil Supply

Message Recipients: General Managers, Sales Managers, Service Managers, Service and Parts Directors, Parts Managers, Service Advisors, Shop Foremen

On September 26th, BMW of North America, LLC announced to NHTSA its intention to conduct a voluntary Recall on certain 2012-2014 model year BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, X1, X3 and Z4 models equipped with the N20 or N26 engine, produced from May 2012 to August 2013.

Affected vehicles in center inventory must not be retailed or delivered until the Recall repair has been performed. Refer to the file “N20 N26 Delivery Stop.pdf” for vehicles which must be held. Vehicles at BMW vehicle delivery centers will be corrected before shipment to your center.

Situation:
The oil supply via the intake camshaft to the vacuum pump could become restricted. If this were to occur, the vacuum pump could fail due to lack of lubrication, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.

A repair solution for vehicles already retailed is under development and not available at this time. Customers will initially be informed of the Recall in November by letter; and again when parts become available. Please do not contact the Parts Technical Group (PTG) requesting parts. The repair letter will be sent when the dealership has the necessary parts, tools and procedures to preform the repair.

The solution involves inserting a locking ring onto the camshaft so the oil supply to the brake assist vacuum pump is not impaired. The repair will take approximately two hours but can vary depending on your BMW dealers schedule. The repair will be preformed free of charge.

Affected Models
2012-14 320i/328i, 320i/328i xDrive Sedan manufactured between May 2012 – August 2013
2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagon manufactured between March 2013 – May 2013
2012-13 528i, 528i xDrive Sedan manufactured between June 2012 – June 2013
2013-14 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i manufactured between June 2012 – June 2013
2013-14 X3 xDrive28i manufactured between June 2012 – August 2013
2012-14 Z4 sDrive28i manufactured between June 2012 – June 2013
Models not list are not affected due to different lubrication and vacuum pump designs.

Number of vehicles affected in the US
Up to 76,190 BMWs are affected by this safety issue. The model break down is as follows -
2012-14 320i/328i, 320i/328i xDrive Sedan - 37,473 potentially affected
2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagon - 176 potentially affected
2012-13 528i, 528i xDrive Sedan - 12,708 potentially affected
2013-14 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i - 10,547 potentially affected
2013-14 X3 xDrive28i - 14,517 potentially affected
2012-14 Z4 sDrive28i - 770 potentially affected

Known accidents
BMW is aware of three minor accidents with no confirmed injuries as a result of this problem. The NTSB has 7 reported incidents but that does not mean they have 7 accident reports. Vehicles affected have experienced the failure at low millage. It is not clear if having a higher mileage car means you will not have the failure.

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.

Are 4 series deliveries going to be affected
BMW has not commented at this time on the 4 series. Models produced as recently as August are affected so it is possible early production 4 series (production started in July) will be held at the vehicle delivery center until the repair is available. We will continue to follow the 4 series delivery story and provided updated information as it happens.

What to do now
We have no choice but to wait for the letters and more information from BMW. In the mean time everyone be careful out there. There are 7 reported incidences of issues to the NTSB so far. The NTSB estimates that for ever report there are 40+ incidents that are not reported. Has anyone had trouble loss of brake assist in their N20/N26 powered BMW? Does this make anyone nervous to drive their BMW? __________________
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      09-27-2013, 05:53 PM   #2
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I bet BMW Australia does nothing about this
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      09-27-2013, 06:14 PM   #3
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get the N55 and all you need is a gas pedal
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      09-27-2013, 06:39 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZheHbKa View Post
get the N55 and all you need is a gas pedal

+1
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      09-27-2013, 07:14 PM   #5
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Until the N55 recall.

It is a BMW. I wouldn't get too smug; BMWs are not known for reliability.
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      09-27-2013, 07:17 PM   #6
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Or the N47! None of the diesels are affected. Yay! Still waiting for my 2014 EBII 328d with M-Sport!
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      09-27-2013, 07:56 PM   #7
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Glad to see they are finally addressing this. There have been threads about these failures for the last couple of months.
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      09-27-2013, 08:00 PM   #8
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Quote:
If you feel braking loss, pull to the side of the road.
Well, BMW, that's pretty damn simple considering those people won't have the brakes to do so.
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      09-27-2013, 08:04 PM   #9
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UK affected?
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      09-27-2013, 08:36 PM   #10
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Looks like mine is on the list.
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      09-27-2013, 08:51 PM   #11
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Mine is at the dealer now for this issue. Not even 300 miles on it and hit has been there since Monday morning. Dealer was way cool about it and gave me a 5 series as a courtesy car. Just hope I get it back soon before it's time to swap out the summer wheels(405m).
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      09-27-2013, 09:28 PM   #12
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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.
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      09-27-2013, 09:36 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elk
Until the N55 recall.

It is a BMW. I wouldn't get too smug; BMWs are not known for reliability.
N55 has been around for a while so I doubt it will happen now
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      09-27-2013, 09:49 PM   #14
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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.
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      09-27-2013, 10:38 PM   #15
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Does this mean my 335 possibly just jumped up a bunch of spots waiting to get on a ship at the dock?
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      09-27-2013, 11:14 PM   #16
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Note to self, for the next three months, don't drive like an asshat. I may suddenly not have braking power.

Also, any advice for increasing leg strength?
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      09-27-2013, 11:36 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CLittle View Post
Note to self, for the next three months, don't drive like an asshat. I may suddenly not have braking power.

Also, any advice for increasing leg strength?
Increase your arm strength for pulling electronic parking brake!
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      09-27-2013, 11:37 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RedlinePSI View Post
Does this mean my 335 possibly just jumped up a bunch of spots waiting to get on a ship at the dock?
No, they decided to bring all N20-26s first, since they can't repair them at the port and need to get them to VDC ASAP.
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      09-28-2013, 01:00 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 328AL View Post
No, they decided to bring all N20-26s first, since they can't repair them at the port and need to get them to VDC ASAP.
Damit! That. Is. Some. Bull.
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      09-28-2013, 01:24 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZheHbKa View Post
N55 has been around for a while so I doubt it will happen now
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.
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      09-28-2013, 02:41 PM   #21
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was so dissapointed to hear this, does this affects european models aswell? got 320i
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      09-28-2013, 02:59 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elk View Post
Until the N55 recall.

It is a BMW. I wouldn't get too smug; BMWs are not known for reliability.
I assume you mean any type of recall? This brake issue is unlikely to affect the N55 cars. many parts are different between the two engines, intake camshafts are totally different, vacuum pumps are different, even many brake system components are different.
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