8,500 Irish BMWs to be recalled for cable check

BMW IS recalling an estimated 1.3 million cars over a potential problem with a battery cable cover in the boot. The recall affects 5-Series and 6-Series models built between 2003 and 2010. About 8,500 Irish owners are affected.

In a statement, the German car maker said: “In some remote cases, the battery cable cover inside the boot of these vehicles may be incorrectly mounted. This can result in the electrical system malfunctioning, the vehicle failing to start and, in some cases, to charring or fire.”

It states that the firm is not aware of any accidents or injuries resulting from the fault to date.

A UK spokesman said: “In rare cases this could result in owners not being able to start their vehicles. In extremely rare cases the electrical system could malfunction, leading to a scorching of the boot floor and a fire may result.”

Owners are to be notified in the coming days and invited to visit their nearest dealership, where a repair will be carried out free of charge. The work is likely to take about 30 minutes per vehicle.

The 5-Series is one of the brand’s best selling models, particularly since the advent of emissions-based tax policy in July 2008.

Earlier this year BMW’s US arm paid a $3 million fine to settle allegations that it failed to promptly notify auto regulators about safety defects and recalls.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that it found a number of disclosure violations relating to 16 investigations of 2010 recalls, affecting more than 338,000 passenger vehicles and motorcycles.

The biggest recall at that time, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total number of vehicles cited by NHTSA, involved certain BMW 5-Series and 6-Series cars manufactured between 2004 to 2010 and 7-Series models built between 2002 to 2008.