BMW recalls 3,422 cars in India to fix battery cable cover problem

BMW has recalled 3,422 units of its 5- and 6-Series models in India over a possible problem with the battery cable cover in the boot. The recalls are part of a global exercise involving 1.3 million units of the aforesaid models built between 2003 and 2010 while the move in India will cover models from 2007 to 2010 only. According to the German car maker, the battery cable cover inside the boot may be mounted improperly, which could result in the electrical system malfunctioning, the vehicle failing to start and in some cases, cause a fire. “The screw beneath the cover can come loose and create problems in the electrical system that can lead to technical difficulties,” a BMW spokesperson is reported to have said.

No accidents or injuries have been reported so far and less than 1 percent of the vehicles have shown symptoms. The free-of-charge repair work will take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour and would be undertaken in authorised workshops.

The 3,422 units recalled in India comprise only a small fraction of the total recalls worldwide. BMW has called back about 3.68 lakh cars in the US, 2.93 lakh cars in Germany, 1.09 lakh cars in Britain and 1.02 lakh cars in China.

The recall comes in the wake of similar moves by companies like Nissan and Tata Motors. In late February, Nissan recalled 9,600 units of the made-in-India Micra small car though Indian owners were not part of the campaign. Tata Motors, too, had called back 1.40 lakh Nano cars in December 2011 to replace the starter motor. But while recalls have become a regular affair with mass market car-makers, even premium brands are increasingly following the trend.

BMW booked a net profit of €4.90 billion (~ Rs. 3,320 crore) in 2011, a 51.3 percent year-on-year growth in 2011 while, the pre-tax profit rose by 52.1 percent.