BMW recalls more than 30,000 X5 SUVs in the U.S. for faulty brakes

BMW has announced the recall of more than 30,000 SUVs to fix an oil leak than can render power-assisted braking unusable.

According to the German automaker, the recall involves X5 SUVs sold in the U.S. from the 2007 through 2010 model years. The cars were built between September 12, 2006, and March 18, 2010 and are all 8-cylinder models. BMW says a small amount of oil can leak from a brake hose and cause the power-assisted braking to fail. Brakes would still work, but not as effectively and the problem could lead to increased stopping distances and potential crashes.

So far BMW has not received reports of crashes or injuries linked to this issue. The problem was discovered when warranty claims increased. The German carmaker will replace the brake vacuum line hose for free, with the recall expected to start this month.

In 2010, BMW recalled about 200,000 vehicles for the same problem. However, BMW explained that it did not recall the X5 SUVs at the time because the brake line on the X5 “has an upward routing in comparison to the horizontal routing” on the vehicles recalled in 2010.

Upward routing was allegedly less susceptible to the problem, so no recall was needed. However, BMW concluded a recall was necessary when the number of warranty claims increased.

Source: N.Y. Times