BMW is recalling about 750 000 cars in the United States, Japan, Canada and South Africa due the chance of an electrical failure that may cause the cars to stall unexpectedly
Vehicles sold in Germany, BMW's home market, and the rest of Europe are not involved in the recall.
The recall affects the 3-Series sedans, convertibles, coupes and sports wagons, as well as its 1-Series coupes and convertibles and Z4 two-seat roadsters. In some markets, the X1 crossover vehicle is also part of the recall.
The affected vehicles were built between March 2007 and July 2011.
A battery cable connection to a fuse box on the cars may degrade over time.
This could cause the engine to stall because of a loss of electric power, increasing the risk of a crash, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a report issued on Monday.
BMW on Tuesday said that there was one crash, in Canada, related to the issue, which did not cause injury. There have been no reported crashes or injuries in the United States, the company said.
50 000 IN SOUTH AFRICA
Among major BMW markets, the company is recalling 504 545 cars in the United States, 100 000 in Japan, 65 285 in Canada, and 50 000 in South Africa.
The vehicles involved in the recall include the 3-Series sedans, coupes, convertibles and sports wagons from the 2007-2011 model years, the 1-Series coupes and convertibles from model years 2008-2012 and the Z4 vehicles from model years 2009-2011.
Among the recalls in Canada are 1800 X1 compact crossover vehicles from the model year 2012. BMW said the X1 was not yet on sale in the US market in the period covered by the recall. -Reuters