Recalls: BMW E65/E66 7-Series
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: BMW E65/E66 7-Series
- In March 2003, a recall was issued for BMW E65 and E66 7-Series vehicles. In these vehicles, the power steering rack hydraulic unions may not have been tightened to the correct torque during assembly – this could lead to a loss of power steering fluid and loss of power-assisted steering; the fluid could also pose a fire hazard if ignited (PRA 2003/6063).
- In March 2003, a recall was issued for BMW E65 and E66 7-Series vehicles because the jacks were not labelled in accordance with the mandatory standard. Specifically, the safety warning label on the vehicle’s jack used a pictogram, only and did not include specific wording regarding its safe operation (PRA 2003/6064).
- In February 2005, a recall was issued for BMW E65/E66 7-Series vehicles manufactured from September 2002 to June 2004. In these vehicles, mechanical loads exerted in the backrest heating for the front seats when persons ingress or egress may result in damage to the seat heating element in the backrest padding. A break in the contact line could cause the damaged area to overheat, creating a risk of minor burns (PRA 2005/7573).
- In February 2005, a recall was issued for BMW E65/E66 7-Series vehicles because the seat occupancy detectors may intermittently be unable to reliably detect that the front seat is occupied. As a result, the front passenger’s front and side airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may not activate when required (PRA 2005/7574).
- In July 2006, a recall was issued for BMW E65/E66 7-Series vehicles manufactured from 9 January 2006 to 26 April 2006. In these vehicles, the lower rubber mounts could come loose from the rear shock absorbers – if this occurred, wheel guidance would be lost and, depending on the driving situation, it may not be possible to control the vehicle safely (PRA 2006/8620).
- In October 2010, a recall was issued for BMW 7-Series models with V8 petrol engines that were available for sale prior to 30 November 2009. In these vehicles, engine oil from the brake vacuum pump may enter the brake vacuum line and potentially the brake booster. The engine oil may cause leaks in the brake booster’s internal rubber membrane which would impair the brake power assistance system – as such, an increased level of brake pedal pressure would be required to slow the vehicle (PRA 2012/13090).
Problems and faults: BMW E65/66 7-Series
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
E65/E66 735i/745i: N62 engine and variable idle
In January 2006, BMW issued technical service bulletin SI B 11 02 05 for BMW E65/E66 7-Series vehicles with the N62 engine (i.e. the 735i and 745i) that were manufactured from June 2004 to February 2005. In these vehicles, the driver may experience erratic or variable idle speed for around 20 seconds after a cold start. Furthermore, the ‘check engine soon’ light may illuminate and misfire faults may be logged in the DME (e.g. FC 2742, 2743, 2744, 2745, 2746, 2748, 2749 and 274E).
According to the service bulletin, this condition was due to incorrect tolerances and geometry of the ‘Valvetronic’ intermediate levers causing uneven cylinder filling during the transitional cold start period (60 seconds after start-up) when the Valvetronic system was switching from the initial 6 mm to a minimum 0.3/0.8 mm valve lift.
To fix, the Valvetronic intermediate levers were to be replaced.
E65/E66 7-Series: ZF transmission faults
In December 2008, BMW issued technical service bulletin SI B24 01 08 for E65/E66 7-Series vehicles with N62TU or N73 engines and ZF automatic transmissions that were manufactured from March 2005 to October 2006. In these vehicles, the ‘Transmission’ warning light may illuminate and the transmission enter its fail safe mode. Furthermore, fault code 4F81 (‘ratio monitoring, clutch A’) may be logged in the EGS control module, as well as 507B/507C (‘parking gear sensor implausible’) or 507D (‘parking gear incorrectly disengaged’). The service bulletin attributed these faults to:
- A low transmission fluid level; or
- An internal transmission pressure leak caused by a defective adapter seal between the transmission housing and the Mechatronic unit.
If the Mechatronic adapter seal was found to be defective (i.e. cracks or seal damage), it was to be replaced.
E65/E66 7-Series: ZF transmission sealing sleeve seepage
In March 2010, BMW issued technical service bulletin SI B 24 08 06 for BMW E65/E66 7-Series vehicles with ZF six-speed 6HP19/21 or 6HP26/28 transmissions that were manufactured up to April 2008. In these vehicles, transmission fluid seepage may be visible in the area of the transmission oil pan; the service bulletin attributed this condition to the tightness of the Mechatronic sealing sleeve’s O-ring. Only if a visible leakage trace indicated a substantial loss of transmission fluid was the Mechatronic sealing sleeve (part no. 24 34 7 588 725) to be replaced.
Problems and faults: BMW E65/E66 7-Series
- If the engine pings under light throttle loads, has a high idle or falters when cold, a software update may be required to fix.
- The transmission may intermittently go into fail-safe mode and exhibit unusual shift behaviour due to errors with the controller area network (CAN) bus system.
- For models fitted with the 4.8-litre V8 petrol engine, the right side (cylinders 1-4) valve cover or oil filler cap could break in cold weather due to a build-up of ice in the vent hose or valve.
- If the key is left in the ignition overnight, the battery may be drained and the vehicle may fail to start.
- Where fitted, the night vision display may malfunction due to a damaged wiring harness (near headlights).
- The automatic headlights may not turn off when exiting a tunnel or parking garage due to a miscommunication between the sensor and headlight module.
- The universal garage door opener may not accept a code from a different source (new transmitter or new owner) if the batteries in the transmitter are low.
