BMW will recall a total of 79,670 vehicles in the U.S., including 10 examples of the Rolls-Royce Spectre, because they are at risk of losing braking aids, such as the antilock braking system (ABS) and dynamic stability control (DSC).
Unfortunately, BMW has not yet clarified how it learned of the issue, but consulted supplier records to determine that the problem affects vehicles from the 2023 and 2024 model years, and impacts internal combustion, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles.
The automaker has stated that the fault stems from a problem with the integrated brake (IB) system, which might not function to specification. That could lead to a reduction in power assist functions, such as those listed above.
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However, BMW says that only the power functions are affected, adding that mechanical braking will still work as designed in case the issue appears. In addition, brake force distribution is still available, as is the function that automatically engages the parking brake to help slow the vehicle down in an emergency.
Despite that, the loss of ABS and DSC could increase stopping distances, and could be particularly problematic in the winter, or inclement weather. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this issue could increase the risk of a crash.
As a result, BMW is launching a recall campaign on certain 5-Series, 7-Series, I5, I7, X1, X5, X6, X7, XM, and Rolls-Royce Spectre models. You can check if your vehicle is included in the recall by using NHTSA’s VIN lookup tool.
The automaker plans to start reaching out to owners on April 5 and will ask them to return their vehicles to a nearby dealer. There, the vehicles will have their integrated brake system replaced, at no cost.