BMW AG, Rolls-Royce, and NHTSA recall various models over potential fires

Around last November, BMW AG and Rolls-Royce issued a recall for 2010 model year Ghosts for possible engine fires. Now though, a new report is out that says other models are affected, including 2011 model year Ghosts.

The new report states that a series of BMWs are also affected by this potentially hazardous defect, which could burn your brand spankin’ expensive and new piece of steel into a pile of rubble. The problem was sourced to circuit boards connected to the cars’ water pump, which would then overheat and catch fire.

This sounds awfully similar to the recall issued for Minis just last year, which exhibited a very similar problem. Seems like BMW—who owns both Rolls-Royce and Mini—needs to find someone who makes better circuit boards.

As listed in the press release, the only 2011 models affected are the 5-Series and 5-Series Gran Turismo models equipped with the TwinPower V8. The 2012 models affected are the 7-Series with either the V8 or the V12, and the X5 SAV and X6 SAV, equipped with just the V8.

For full details, check out the press release after the jump.

NHTSA Press Release for affected models:

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
BMW / 5-SERIES 2011
BMW / 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO 2011
BMW / 6 SERIES 2012
BMW / 7-SERIES 2012
BMW / X5 SAV 2012
BMW / X6 SAV 2012
Manufacturer: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC Mfr’s Report Date: APR 05, 2012
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V161000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO-CHARGER
Potential Number of Units Affected: 2,846
Summary:
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2012 6-SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 7-SERIES, X5 SAV, AND X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.
Consequence:
THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy:
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Notes:
THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF SAFETY RECALL 11V521. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
ROLLS-ROYCE / GHOST 2010-2011
Manufacturer: ROLLS-ROYCE MOTORS, INC. Mfr’s Report Date: APR 05, 2012
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V166000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO-CHARGER
Potential Number of Units Affected: 69
Summary:
ROLLS-ROYCE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 GHOST VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TURBOCHARGED ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.
Consequence:
THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy:
ROLLS-ROYCE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROLLS-ROYCE CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-877-877-3735.
Notes:
THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF RECALL NO. 11V522. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: SaferCar.gov via AutoBlog