2007 BMW 5 Series

Issue: 
On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater (blow-by heater) to short circuit and overheat. 
Note: This replaces Transport Canada recalls 2017-470 and 2019-170. Only vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K engine require this repair. 

Safety Risk: 
An overheated engine PCV valve heater could create the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off. 

Corrective Actions: 
BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to install a wire harness repair kit. BMW recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors until the recall repairs have been completed.

On certain vehicles equipped with the N52 6-cylinder engine, an electrical short could occur in the PCV valve heater due to manufacturing irregularities. If this occurs, the surrounding plastics could overheat, melt and potentially cause a fire, which could increase the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the PCV valve heater.

On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat can fatigue over time.  As a result, the passenger airbag could deactivate, illuminating the airbag warning lamp and the passenger airbag ON/OFF lamp.  Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.  Correction: Vehicles will receive special extended warranty coverage of 10 years from first registration.  Under this special coverage program, vehicles which experience this condition will have the occupant detection mat replaced.

On certain vehicles, the insulated bulkhead connector (used to join the two halves of the positive battery cable) may have been incorrectly installed during vehicle assembly.  Over time, the bolt connection could loosen, which would increase electrical resistance.  In addition, an incorrectly insulated bulkhead connector could allow humidity to accumulate at this location, causing current leakage.  These issues could cause the cable connection to overheat, which could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage and/or personal injury.  Correction: Dealers will inspect and, as necessary, secure the insulated bulkhead connector.  In addition, protective grease will be added to the area and the plastic battery positive terminal cover will be replaced.

On certain vehicles, a check valve in the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil.  Over time, this could result in contamination of the brake booster.  Loss of brake power assist could occur which, in conjunction with traffic, road conditions, and driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.  Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster and master cylinder.  Additionally, the brake vacuum line (including the check valve) will be replaced to eliminate the possibility of oil reaching the brake booster.