BMW Australia dealers can start delivering cars again.
A spokesperson for the brand today told CarExpert “BMW has developed a software update to monitor potential issues before new vehicles are delivered to customers”.
“Our dealer partners are now authorised to proceed with the software updates and deliver vehicles to customers,” the spokesperson said.
Owners of cars that have already been delivered and are impacted by the fault are subject to a recall, although an over-the-air software update may mean they don’t need to visit a dealer to have the problem fixed.
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“Some vehicles have already received remote updates, and we will continue to apply updates until all affected vehicles are addressed. Customers who have already taken delivery of their vehicles are being informed,” the spokesperson said.
Based on this comment, and a recall notice posted earlier today, the issue can be resolved with an over-the-air software update that doesn’t necessitate a visit to the dealership in some cases.
BMW Australia still hasn’t confirmed exactly which vehicles are caught up in the stop sale, which was reported exclusively by CarExpert earlier this week.
The delivery pause was communicated to Australian BMW dealers two weeks ago, and is only now being lifted.
A BMW dealer canvassed by CarExpert said model lines including – but not limited to – the X1, X2, X3, X5, X6, X7 and 5 Series are impacted in Australia, with the official reason being communicated as a ‘brake campaign’.
The brand this morning recalled close to 26,500 vehicles across its BMW, Mini, and Alpina model lines to rectify a defect which could result in reduced braking performance.
“Due to a manufacturing defect, signal interference may occur within the electronics of the brake system,” the carmaker said in its recall notice.
“If the fault occurs, a higher pedal force may be required for braking. The anti-lock braking system and dynamic stability control will also not be available,” it said.
A fault with identical symptoms resulted in the recall of 7168 BMW vehicles – the 5 Series, i5, 7 Series, i7, X1, iX1, X5, X6, X7 and XM – in March this year.
According to US-based owners forums, BMW customers in the US were told the delay is due to a malfunction with their new vehicle’s integrated brake system (IBS).
The IBS uses an electric actuator to maintain consistent brake pressure, with the fault understood to result in drivers needing to apply greater force on the brake pedal.
An IBS failure can also result in the malfunction of the anti-lock brakes (ABS) and stability control systems.
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