SUV brakes fail, Rolls-Royces face fire risk

BMW is issuing three separate recalls on close to 70,000 vehicles over issues with batteries, brakes and fuel systems.

The first and largest recall affects 65,285 cars and crossovers, including 3 Series cars from model years 2007 through 2011; 1 Series cars from model years 2008 through 2012; Z4 sports cars from model years 2009 through 2011; and X1 crossovers from model year 2012.

On some of these vehicles, the cable connecting the positive battery terminal and the fuse box could fail while driving, interrupting the operation of the electrical system.

If this happens, the engine could stall, causing the vehicle to lose propulsion; and electrically driven systems like the lights could fail.

This could increase the risk of a crash.

Dealers will replace the battery connector with an updated one.

The second recall involves 3,912 X5 SUVs from model years 2007 through 2010. On some of these vehicles, a check valve in the brake vacuum pump could leak a small amount of lubricating oil, possibly contaminating the adjacent brake booster.

This could cause the loss of power brake assist, which could, if it occurs while driving, cause a crash. Dealers will inspect the brake booster and master cylinder for contamination, and replace if necessary. They will also swap out the brake vacuum line.

Some of the affected BMW X5 SUVs may have been previously recalled for a potential power steering failure; a water pump-related fire risk; or for a faulty fuel filter heater that also posed a fire risk.

The third recall involves two new Rolls-Royce Phantom luxury cars from model year 2013. On these vehicles, the fuel filler neck is missing an anti-misfueling device, left out in error during manufacturing.

The device prevents the driver from filling up the car with diesel or other fuels the car wasn't designed to run on, and also discharges static electricity during refueling.

Filling up the fuel tank with the wrong fuel could lead to the vehicle stalling, which could cause a crash; it could also cause significant permanent engine damage. If static electricity discharges while refueling, a fire could start as well.

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel filler neck assembly.

(Transport Canada [electrical], [X5], [Rolls-Royce])