BMW Recalls 23,000 Cars
Cooling-Fan Switch Could Be Fire Hazard
BMW spokesman Rob Mitchell said BMW became aware of the problem recently when owners of a small number of 2001-model vehicles reported fires.
No one was injured in any of the incidents. Mitchell said that it was likely only a small number of the recalled vehicles were outfitted with the faulty switch.
?Typically, this shows up very early on, within the first 200 miles,? Mitchell said. ?The fan doesn?t work, so either the engine overheats or the fan control unit overheats. If a customer notices any sign of overheating, they should shut down the car immediately and call roadside assistance.?
BMW plans to begin notifying owners by mail in mid-July?once replacement parts are available. Mitchell said that dealers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration were notified of the planned recall in mid-June.
Vehicles possibly fitted with the bad electronic control unit include: 3 Series with manual transmissions built between Feb. 1 and April 30; 7 Series built between Nov. 1, 2000, and Jan. 8, 2001; X5s built between Dec. 18, 2000, and April 30, 2001; and Z8s built between Jan. 1 and April 30. The recalled vehicles represent a little more than 10 percent of BMW?s annual U.S. sales of cars and light trucks.
BMW says it plans to notify owners once parts are available, considering the relatively low risk of a fire.
He said that BMW doesn?t want to encourage owners to seek repairs until adequate replacement parts are in stock at dealerships.
BMW has asked dealers to repair or not sell any vehicles on their lots that are covered by the upcoming recall.
?Anything that falls under that production time, dealers are identifying the vehicles and fixing them before they are sold,? Mitchell said.
Owners with questions or concerns are asked to call BMW North America at (800) 831-1117.
Some information in this story from AutoWeek.Com
