BMW Warns 2013 M5 and M6 Owners to Stop Driving Their Cars

[Bartek S.]

You would think BMW would want owners of the latest iterations of the M5 sedan and M6 Coupe and Convertible models to have a blast with their cars – and you're right, it does, just only after it makes a fix to certain 2013MY vehicles sold in the States.

A safety bulletin issued by BMW of North America and released to the world for all to see by the folks over at the F10 M5 Post forums, reveals that the Bavarian automaker came to know of a problem with the S63TU 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine found in the 2013MY M5 and M6 cars.

BMW says it discovered a serious issue with the eight-cylinder unit's oil pump on certain models fitted with the aforementioned engine.

More specifically, the automaker states that the affected pump "could experience a sudden loss of pressure which will result in severe engine damage", warning customers to "not drive the vehicle".

BMW said its Customer Relations division has already begun contacting U.S. owners of the affected M5s and M6s while it has also stopped deliveries of new vehicles with this engine until it fixes the problem.

car scoop

 

[Bartek S.]

 

[Bartek S.]

M5 / M6 Oil Pump Recall FAQ and Affected VIN List

Here is an FAQ provided by BMW to dealers on the M5/M6 oil pump issue:


Q1. Which models are affected by this Recall?

Affected are certain Model Year 2013 BMW M5, M6 Coupe, and M6 Convertible vehicles produced between July 2012 and September 2012.

Q2. What is the specific problem?

The issue involves the engine oil pump. The pump driveshaft can separate from the pump rotor. If this were to occur, the engine could experience a sudden loss of oil pressure which could cause severe engine damage.

Q3. Why are other models not affected?

It has been determined that only certain vehicles produced between July 2012 and September 2012 were equipped with an incorrectly manufactured oil pump.

Q4. How many vehicles are affected?

Approximately 696 vehicles in the US are potentially affected.

Q5. What can happen as a result of this issue?

A sudden loss of oil pressure could occur, as well as the possibility of severe engine damage.

Q6. Can the driver become aware of the problem?

Yes, if the vehicle experiences a sudden loss of oil pressure, a low oil pressure warning indicator is displayed in the instrument cluster, along with a warning message in the control display.

Q7. What corrective measures will be taken?

The engine oil pump will be replaced.

Q8. How did BMW become aware of the problem?

BMW became aware of the problem through its quality control procedures.

Q9. Is BMW aware of any accidents or injuries associated with the Recall?

No.

Q10. Can customers continue to drive their vehicles?

We recommend that owners of affected vehicles do not drive their vehicle until this Recall can be completed.
If the vehicle experiences a sudden loss of oil pressure, carefully pull over to the side of the road and shut off the engine.

Please contact BMW Roadside Assistance at 1-800-332-4269.

If you are not the only driver of this vehicle, please advise all other drivers of this important information.

Q11. How will customers be informed of the Recall?

The BMW Customer Relations department is calling owners of affected vehicles, advising to them discontinue driving the vehicle until the Recall has been completed.

Subsequently, owners will receive a letter via First Class mail asking them to schedule an appointment with their authorized BMW center.

Q12. How will the Recall be performed?

Affected customers who make an appointment will have the engine oil pump replaced on their vehicle.

Q13. How long will therepair take?

This repair may take two and a half hours; however, additional time may be required depending upon the center’s scheduling and processing. The repair will be performed free of charge by your authorized BMW center.

Q14. How many vehicles have experienced this problem?

The exact number is unknown at this time.

Q15. When will I receive my owner notification letter?

Mailings are planned for October 2012.

Q16. Do I have to wait for my Recall letter in order to have my Recall performed?
Yes. BMW is in the process of implementing the Recall Campaign to ensure that the necessary parts are at the authorized BMW center prior to sending out the owner notification letters.


AFFECTED VIN# LIST is available below (download):

 

[GTA45E]

Interesting... at least BMW is willing to fix the problem.
(whats up with quality control here. )

 

[K-A]

Uh oh. Not a good sign at all. How did this pass R&D testing? It's not like customers have racked up the miles on these cars even, already.

 

[chonkoa]

Uh oh. Not a good sign at all. How did this pass R&D testing? It's not like customers have racked up the miles on these cars even, already.

You do realise they rely on suppliers like most companies in the technology space do.

 

[martinbo]

It's altogether surprising that some people still don't understand the concept of OEM supply in the 21st century...

 

[Giannis]

It's altogether surprising that some people still don't understand the concept of OEM supply in the 21st century...

You know, all recent Ms had issues: The E36 had issues with its VANOS. The E46 had issues with the rear chassis, it was very weak and it could just shear off. The S54 was also recalled for the metal parts that are between the rods and the crankshaft. The E9x was equally sensitive in that part. The E39 had issues with its compression. I don't really care about why those problems happend, because older Ms gave a unique driving experience.

 

[south]

It's altogether surprising that some people still don't understand the concept of OEM supply in the 21st century...

Haha, so true! But, as you see in this thread, this is bad for a car manufacturer's reputation as well. People are wide off the mark when they blame R&D or "don't care" what exactly causes such an issue, yet this affects BMW's brand reputation.


Best regards,
south

 

[Sunny]

^Wait, so you are telling me BMW R&D doesn't have a time machine that it uses to go forward in time and catch manufacturing defects in a future batch of parts...wtf!

Look at the awesome job AMG is doing - #mce_temp_url#

 

[K-A]

What are you guys implying.. that if parts of which the car is made up of (many being outsourced, not developed in BMW labs) are subpar, the sum of said parts isn't worthy of being labeled a "quality disaster"? Then pretty much no car should be blamed for its faults.... seeing as to how most problems arise from specific outsourced suppliers contributions. Hell, let's give the W220 a pass then, it's not M-B's fault using this frame of mind, after all.

It's still BMW's job to test those parts, R&D them on the car, and ensure that situations as dire as this don't arise.

Now, mind you, I just read the snippet in OP, so I was under the impression that the design of the oil pump was fundamentally flawed, which has now been discovered.... hence my comments. If this is just an unlucky batch from an otherwise good oil pump unit, then yes it's simply bad luck and unfortunately BMW looks bad for someone else's mistake. It's like the position of a General Manager, or President for that matter. Though it might not be their fault, they take upon a position where fingers are pointed out in situations like these.

 

[Merc1]

WOW. I hope they don't find out later that this affects us with the regular version of this engine in the "550" cars. The M5 and M6 owners are outraged on the other boards.

M

 

[ACE]

Q8. How did BMW become aware of the problem?

BMW became aware of the problem through its quality control procedures.

The quality control procedures only check the quality of the parts after they have been fitted / shipped? This is a failure of BMW quality control procedures not a success of them.

 

[Mr. M]

No wonder the F10 M5 I was driving was throwing up low engine oil warning buzzers, even though I've already topped it up proper the day before! This is pretty unnerving.

 

[Zafiro]

This is really really bad. BMW fu**** up, this shouldn't happen. I heard about a guy who ordered a new M5. The very same day his M5 got an engine failure. So now he have to wait several months before he gets his new M5.

 

[Merc1]

Seems like the evidence is sound, buying a 650i instead of the M5 was a goooood move.

M