Diesel recall - engine belt idler pulley bolt

[Thunder22]

Was told today by my dealer that there is a recall on my '12 X5 35D for an issue with a bolt in the power steering pulley assembly. BMW is sending out letters to affected customers.

[Marwan1]

It's not officially a recall yet, just a Stop Sale. See here:

No test drive during recall - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by Marwan1

It's not officially a recall yet, just a Stop Sale. See here:

No test drive during recall - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

That's contrary to what I was told by the service manager and parts manager at my dealer today. It's a recall, and letters are going out shortly if not already.
I guess there is conflicting info out there.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Thunder22

That's contrary to what I was told by the service manager and parts manager at my dealer today. It's a recall, and letters are going out shortly if not already.
I guess there is conflicting info out there.

It isnt a "recall" until BMW actually sends the letters OR files the recall with NHTSA.

They may be PLANNING a recall, but again until they recall the car there is no recall! Pedantic perhaps, but the term itself is an action- they need to take that action first to create a recall.

It is a rather strange way this one is being rolled out....

[FSETH]

Wonder if my early model year 2009 will be affected?

[Marwan1]

Originally Posted by FSETH

Wonder if my early model year 2009 will be affected?

All X5ds produced between September 2008 and November 15, 2012 will be affected. Here's the response from BMWNA regarding this issue someone posted on another forum:

"Thank you for contacting BMW of North America, LLC regarding our voluntary recall announcement of certain 2009-2012 model year BMW X5 xDrive 35d (Diesel) SAVs produced between September 2008 and November 2012. Through our own quality control process, BMW has discovered that the idler pulley bolt can loosen in affected vehicles, which could lead to additional bending forces on the bolt. If the bolt breaks, a sudden loss of power steering assist could occur. Please note that manual steering capability would be retained, although the effort required for steering the vehicle would be greater.

Owners of affected vehicles will receive a notification letter via First Class mail in January requesting the scheduling of a service appointment with an authorized BMW center to have the idler pulley bolt replaced and tightened with a revised procedure and a thread lock coating. If the alternator warning lamp (the battery icon) is illuminated in the vehicle’s instrument cluster, along with the warning message “Charging malfunction,” carefully pull over to a safe location away from traffic. Contact BMW Roadside Assistance at 1-800-332-4269 to have your vehicle brought to the nearest authorized BMW center.

BMW remains committed to maintaining the highest level of automotive excellence. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience should your vehicle be affected.

The BMW Customer Relations and Services Department is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., Eastern Standard Time. You can reach us at 1-800-831-1117."

[Price]

BTW, in Germany the letters have been sent to X5 owners already.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by Marwan1

All X5ds produced between September 2008 and November 15, 2012 will be affected. Here's the response from BMWNA regarding this issue someone posted on another forum:

"Thank you for contacting BMW of North America, LLC regarding our voluntary recall announcement of certain 2009-2012 model year BMW X5 xDrive 35d (Diesel) SAVs produced between September 2008 and November 2012. Through our own quality control process, BMW has discovered that the idler pulley bolt can loosen in affected vehicles, which could lead to additional bending forces on the bolt. If the bolt breaks, a sudden loss of power steering assist could occur. Please note that manual steering capability would be retained, although the effort required for steering the vehicle would be greater.

Owners of affected vehicles will receive a notification letter via First Class mail in January requesting the scheduling of a service appointment with an authorized BMW center to have the idler pulley bolt replaced and tightened with a revised procedure and a thread lock coating. If the alternator warning lamp (the battery icon) is illuminated in the vehicle’s instrument cluster, along with the warning message “Charging malfunction,” carefully pull over to a safe location away from traffic. Contact BMW Roadside Assistance at 1-800-332-4269 to have your vehicle brought to the nearest authorized BMW center.

BMW remains committed to maintaining the highest level of automotive excellence. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience should your vehicle be affected.

The BMW Customer Relations and Services Department is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., Eastern Standard Time. You can reach us at 1-800-831-1117."

Thanks for the info.

[Marwan1]

Originally Posted by FSETH

Thanks for the info.

You bet!

[Alan Smithee]

Ugh...just got the thing back from the EGR valve recall, which took them a week...