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BMW plans to recall around 150,000 vehicles in the United States to fix potentially faulty fuel pumps.
The German automaker said Tuesday that it is recalling 130,000 models equipped with twin-turbo six-cylinder engines to check and perhaps replace the high-pressure fuel pump, reported The Detroit News.
In a separate action, BMW will recall 20,800 2008 X5 SUVs with normally aspirated six-cylinder engines to replace the low-pressure fuel pump.
The bigger recall involving models with twin-turbo engines was announced a few hours after ABC News issued an investigative report into problems with the fuel pumps leading to lawsuits.
BMW said no injuries or accidents had been reported because of either issue.
Auto analysts said BMW's response may reflect a heightened sensitivity throughout the industry about safety or recall-related issues after Toyota Motor Corp.'s problems. Not only did Toyota recall millions of vehicles, but it also was fined and pilloried in some cases for moving too slowly.
"Here we have a situation where a company is in a possible liability situation, and we're not even certain anything has happened," said Jack Nerad, executive market analyst at used-car price specialist Kelley Blue Book.
Nerad and other analysts said the increased sensitivity to safety issues is beneficial.
The larger BMW recall affects 2007-10 model year BMW 335i cars, 2008-2010 135i, 535i and X6 xDrive35i models, and 2009-10 Z4 sDrive35i roadsters. The high-pressure pump in those vehicles may fail, BMW said.
"Symptoms include long-crank engine starting times along with the illumination of the 'Service Engine Soon' light," BMW said. In some cases, the driver may experience reduced engine performance accompanied by a tone and an 'Engine Malfunction' light, it said.
The fix may entail the replacement of the high-pressure fuel pump, a software update or both. BMW expects that about 40,000 vehicles will need a new pump.
In the other action, BMW will recall 20,800 2008 X5s to replace the low-pressure fuel pump. If the pump fails, the engine will stop running and the driver will lose power-assist for the steering and brakes, although the steering and brakes will still function.
BMW said it had notified regulators. Owners of affected vehicles will be sent letters in the coming weeks.
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