Recalls: BMW E87 1-Series hatch
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 number of recalls should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: BMW E87 1-Series hatch
2006 BMW E87 1-Series Hatch: brake booster sealing ring
In December 2006, a recall was issued for BMW E87 1-Series hatch vehicles manufactured from 4 March 2006 to 14 March 2006. In these vehicles, a temporary fault in the greasing system for the sealing ring on the brake booster could cause the ring to wear. Furthermore, the ring could be pressed into the housing of the brake booster as a consequence of increased friction (PRA 2006/8909).
2008-09 BMW E87 1-Series Hatch Diesel: potential fire hazard
In September 2011, a recall was issued for BMW E87 1-Series hatch vehicles with turbo-diesel engines that were available for sale from 20 August 2008 to 12 June 2009. In these vehicles, moisture may enter the diesel fuel filter heater at the electric contacts, causing the heater to short circuit – this could result in the short-term discharge of the starter battery such that the vehicle may not start. However, the short-circuit could also lead to an engine fire when the vehicle was switched off. Note that the diesel fuel filter heat unit only operated at temperatures below -1 degree Celsius (PRA 2011/13091).
2007-11 BMW E87 1-Series Hatch: vehicle may not start and electrical failure
In February 2013, a recall was issued for BMW E87 1-Series hatchbacks that were available for sale from 1 March 2007 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 E87 1-Series Hatch Diesel: potential fire hazard
In August 2013, a recall was issued for E87 1-Series hatch 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 E87 1-Series with I6 engine: VANOS oil leak and ‘limp home’ mode
In June 2014, a recall was issued for BMW E87 1-Series Hatch vehicles 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).
2007-11 BMW E87 1-Series Hatch: 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 E87 1-Series Hatches that were available for sale from 1 March 2007 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.
2009-11 BMW E87 1-Series Hatch: camshaft timing unit bolts could break
In November 2023, recall campaign 0011520700 was issued for 2009-12 BMW E87 1-Series Hatch vehicles. 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 E87 1-Series Hatch
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.
E87 118d, 120d and 123d: N47 timing chains
- For the E87 118d, 120d and 123d models with 2.0-litre N47 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.
E87 120d: M47TU2D20 swirl flaps
- For the E87 120d with the M47TU2D20 turbo-diesel engine, the swirl flap mechanism in the inlet manifold consisted of butterfly valves within each individual inlet tract. These butterfly valves were secured to an actuating rod via two small screws and, over time, these screws could become loose. If this occurred, the screws could be drawn into the cylinder and cause significant damage to the piston, cylinder head and valves. If a screw were to pass through the exhaust valve, it could then damage the turbocharger. As a result of this problem, a common modification is to remove the swirl flaps and replace them with blanking plates. From 2004 to 2007, BMW introduced larger diameter spindles (made from plastic) and larger screws, though these engines were not immune to failure. Around 2006, it is understood that plastic swirl flaps were introduced to reduce the likely extent of damage.
E87 130i: N52 ticking noises
- E87 130i models with N52 engines that were produced prior to November 2008 were susceptible to ticking noises from the hydraulic valve adjuster (HVA) during cold engine starts or frequent short-distance driving. In these situations, the HVA elements may not have sufficient amounts of air-free oil. The condition usually remedies itself with a longer driving distance or operating times at full operating temperature. Vehicles produced after November 2008, however, were fitted with an improved cylinder head that overcame the problem.
Problems and faults: BMW E87 1-Series hatch
- 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.
