BMW is recalling more than 134,000 5 Series cars in the U.S. because the rear lights can fail. The recall, posted Friday on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, affects 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 cars from the 2008 through 2010 model years.
The U.S. safety agency says that increased electrical resistance can damage connections to the lights. That could cause loss of taillights, brake lights, turn signals, or backup lights. The agency says that the loss of lights can increase the risk of a crash, although BMW says in documents that it has no reports of any accidents or injuries from the problem.
The cars, made from March 1, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2009, will give drivers visual and audible warnings if the problem occurs, and unaffected rear lights will display to warn drivers behind the cars, BMW said in documents filed with NHTSA. BMW doesn't believe the problem is an unreasonable safety risk, but the company decided to do the recall due to a precedent set by a 2011 recall for a similar problem, BMW said in the documents.
In August of 2011, BMW recalled 241,000 of its popular 3-Series cars to fix the rear light connections. That recall affected cars from the 2002 through 2005 model years.
Owners in the latest recall will be notified starting next month. Dealers will replace part of the rear lamp connections at no cost to customers. Owners can call BMW at (800) 525-7417 for more information.––Paul Duchene
