Recalls: BMW E82 1-Series coupe
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 E82 1-Series Coupe
Pre-2011 BMW E82 1-Series Coupe: locks may not open and engine stall
In February 2013, a recall was issued for BMW E82 1-Series coupe models that were available for sale prior to 28 February 2011. In these vehicles, the plug-in contact of the battery-positive cable on the front power distributor (fitted behind the glove compartment) could be damaged by vehicle vibrations, impairing power supply to the vehicle. As a result, the door locks may not open and it may not be possible to start the vehicle. Furthermore, if the engine were to stall, power steering assistance may be lost and the electrical system may fail – such a situation would be apparent from the flickering of the instrument panel and power loss from the engine (PRA 2013/13476).
2009 BMW E82 1-Series Coupe Diesel: potential fire hazard
In August 2013, a recall was issued for BMW E82 1-Series coupe vehicles with turbo-diesel engines that were available for sale from 1 August 2009 to 30 November 2009. In these vehicles, an internal short-circuit may occur in the area of the electric contacts of the diesel fuel filter heating unit. At worst, an electrical short-circuit may occur in the diesel fuel filter heater which could could a vehicle fire. Please note, however, that the diesel fuel filter heater unit only operated at temperatures below -1 degree Celsius. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2013/13591.
2009-12 BMW E82 1-Series with I6 engine: VANOS oil leak and ‘limp home’ mode
In June 2014, a recall was issued for BMW E82 1-Series Coupes that had N51, N52 or N55 six-cylinder petrol engines and were available for sale from 1 October 2009 to 30 April 2012. In these vehicles, the bolted connection on the housing of the variable valve timing unit (VANOS) adjustment units could become loose. If this occurred, the units may develop an internal oil leak and then no longer adjust quickly enough due to the reduced oil pressure. The vehicle’s emergency engine mode would then be activated and the engine warning light would illuminate to warn the driver. If the vehicle was being driven and slowed down or stopped unexpectedly, it would pose an accident hazard to the driver and other road users (PRA 2014/14160).
2008-11 BMW E82 1-Series Coupe: won’t unlock/start, may shut down due to electrical failure
In June 2018, a recall (campaign number 00 61 7704 00) was issued for BMW E82 1-Series Coupes that were available for sale prior to 31 October 2011. Due to a possible electrical connection failure to the car’s main battery power cable (where it connected to the fuse box), the car may lose power to several electrical systems within the vehicle. If this electrical fault occurred, it may not be possible to unlock or start the vehicle; in some cases, there may be a total electrical failure that causes the vehicle to shut down while it is being driven – this would pose a collision hazard. Prior to the electrical failure occurring, the driver may notice the dashboard icons flickering. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16803.
2009-12 BMW E82 1-Series Coupe: camshaft timing unit bolts could break
In November 2023, recall campaign 0011520700 was issued for 2009-12 BMW E82 1-Series Coupes. In these vehicles, the bolts connecting the variable camshaft timing unit (BMW’s ‘VANOS’) to the engine may break. If this occurred, the vehicle’s ‘limp home’ safety mode may be activated, the engine warning light may illuminate and the vehicle may lose motive power. A loss of motive power while driving could increase the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005810.
Problems and faults: BMW E82 1-Series Coupe
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.
BMW E82 123d: N47 timing chain breakage
For 2.0-litre N47 four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines manufactured between March 2007 and March 2011, excessively sharp teeth on the crankshaft sprocket could damage, or break, the timing chain. Please note that in the event of breakage, catastrophic engine damage could result and the primary symptom of timing chain damage was a loud ticking noise from the rear end of the engine. For these engines, two situations applied:
- For models manufactured before May 2009, the timing chains, camshaft sprocket and crankshaft required replacement. Of these, the crankshaft had to be replaced because the sprocket was welded to it and the engine also had to be removed because the timing chains were positioned at the rear of the engine, Due to the cost of repair, some owners opted to replace the engine instead.
- For models manufactured from May 2009 to March 2011, the crankshaft did not require replacement since the design of the crankshaft sprockets had been changed. The timing chains and timing guides, however, still required replacement.
BMW E82 125i (N52): ticking noise from camshaft lifters
In September 2009, BMW issued technical service bulletin SI B11 09 07for E82 125i Coupes with N52 engines that were produced prior to 31 November 2008. In these vehicles, an occasional ticking or rattling noise from the camshaft hydraulic lifters (HVA) may occur during cold engine starts. It is understood that the ticking was caused by an insufficient quantity of air-free oil for the HVA elements. To fix, however, the twelve (12) exhaust camshaft hydraulic valve lifters needed to be replaced (part no. 11 33 7 605 330).
A revised cylinder head was phased into production from 1 October 2008 and fully implemented on 31 November 2008, as per the following casting numbers –
- N51 (B30): 7588277.01;
- N52 (B30): 7588273.01; and,
- N52K (B30): 7588271.01.
2009-11 BMW E82 125i and 135i: rattling noise, loss of power and ‘Service Engine Soon’
In October 2014, BMW issued Service Information Bulletin SI B12 14 10 for BMW E82 125i and 135i Coupes produced from September 2009 to August 2011 that had N52 and N55 engines. According to the bulletin, these vehicles may exhibit the following symptoms:
- A rattling noise from the engine compartment;
- A loss of engine power;
- Illumination of the ‘Service Engine Soon’ lamp; and,
- A range of faults stored in the DME related to VANOS and camshaft position.
The bulletin attributed these symptoms to one or both (intake and/or exhaust) of the VANOS gear assemblies having faulty assembly bolts. As a result, one or more of the four assembly bolts may have loosened or broken. If the VANOS gear assembly bolts were found loose or broken, the affected VANOS gear assembly was to be replaced.
BMW E82 1-Series: N51/N52/N54 VANOS faults
In October 2010, BMW issued technical service bulletin SI B11 02 08 for E82 1-Series Coupes with N51, N52K and N54 engines produced from January 2008.In these vehicles, the ‘Service Engine Soon’ (MIL) lamp may illuminate and be accompanied by a reduction in engine performance/performance; this may occur after driving with the engine at normal operating temperature. If the ignition is cycled, the engine then usually performs normally. Furthermore, the following fault codes are stored in the DME:
- 2A82 VANOS intake – stiff; jammed mechanically;
- 2A87 VANOS exhaust – stiff; jammed mechanically; or,
- 3100 Boost-pressure control, deactivation – boost pressure build up prohibited (N54 engine only).
These VANOS faults may be caused by insufficient oil pressure supply to the inlet VANOS adjustment unit. To effectively move the camshafts to the target positions in the specified time and under all engine conditions, sufficient oil pressure supply to the VANOS control pistons was required. When engine operation required that the VANOS quickly advance or retard the intake or exhaust camshaft, fault 2A82 or 2A87 may occur if the camshaft is ‘late’ or does not reach the target position. In this situation, engine power may be reduced and a check control message be displayed.
According to the service bulletin, a mechanical restriction or electrical failure of the VANOS solenoid and/or the electrical circuit could cause insufficient oil supply to the VANOS assemblies.
Depending on the diagnosis, both VANOS solenoids may need to be replaced (as well as the engine oil and filter). If there was excessive wear to the camshaft bearing ledge, the camshaft hook ring seals and the affected camshaft bearing ledge would require replacement.
BMW E82 135i and 1 M Coupe: N54 high-pressure fuel pump failure
In December 2010, BMW issued technical service bulletin SI B13 09 10 for BMW E82 135i and 1 M Coupes that were powered by the N54 engine and manufactured from 28 March 2006 to 26 February 2010. In these vehicles, the driver may experience:
- Extended engine cranking time before start;
- The ‘Service Engine Soon’ indicator lamp may illuminate; and,
- Reduced engine performance due to activation of a ‘Safe Mode’, accompanied by an audible signal and illumination of the ‘Engine Malfunction’ warning light.
Furthermore, the fault code 2FBF (‘fuel pressure on – release injection, pressure too low’) may be stored in the DME.
This condition was attributable to a malfunction of internal components in the high-pressure fuel pump. To fix, an updated DME calibration improved the engine starting strategy and robustness of the HDP high-pressure fuel pump. If required, the high-pressure fuel pump (including the low-pressure fuel sensor) would also be replaced.
For Australia, BMW initiated a ‘technical campaign’ to replace the fuel pumps of vehicles within the affected VIN range. In the USA, however, this service bulletin was issued as part of a recall campaign (Campaign No. 10E-AO2). It is understood that the fuel pump warranty was also extended to 10 years or 120,000 miles (193,000 kilometres).BMW
E82 135i and 1 M Coupe: N54 wastegate rattling
The wastegate rod has some slack at the joint/bearing where it comes off the actuator and meets the wastegate arm. As a result, rattling noises may come from the wastegate actuator arms and the wastegate itself. If the wastegate was rattling, the valve seats may wear and prevent the wastegate from fully closing – this could cause low boost pressure, the on-board diagnostics to issue a 30FF fault code (for low boost pressure) and the vehicle to enter ‘limp home’ mode. For vehicles under warranty with damaged turbochargers, BMW would replace the turbochargers and either added a part to the joint or replaced the joint to remove the slack/play. As a result of a class action in the USA, BMW North America extended its warranty of the turbocharger to eight years or 82,000 miles (132,000 kms) for any failure caused by a defect in the turbocharger’s wastegate. For vehicles that are not under warranty, an aftermarket solution involves:
- fitting a titanium bush through the turbo body for the wastegate arm;
- remanufacturing the actuator rod to the wastegate arm bush; and,
- remanufacturing the wastegate valve.
BMW E82 1-Series coupe: other problems and faults
- For models with turbocharged engines, a rattling noise from under the bonnet that is heard as the engine is shut down may be coming from the turbocharger wastegate and due to a pinched vacuum hose.
- For models with turbocharged engines, there may be a whistling noise from under the bonnet – this may be attributable to a failed gasket between the turbocharger and catalytic converter.
- Various electrical items, such as the sunroof, interior lights and rain sensor, may stop working due to a module software glitch.
- Some iPods may not charge via the original USB adapter cable – a revised cable was subsequently released to fix this problem.
