BMW Recalls More Than 156,000 Six-Cylinder Cars

BMW is recalling some vehicles manufactured from 2010-2012. More than 156,000 vehicles equipped with in-line six-cylinder engines have aluminum bolts on their cam-timing system's housing that could break.

Vehicles involved include the following:

• 1-Series coupes and convertibles, manufactured from January 2010 to August 2011

• 3-Series cars manufactured from September 2009 to February 2012

• 5-Series vehicles manufactured from February 2010 to August 2011

• 5-Series Gran Turismo hatchbacks manufactured from September 2009 to November 2011

• 6-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured from May 2011 to October 2011

• X3 crossovers manufactured from January 2010 to September 2011

• X5 crossovers manufactured from November 2009 to October 2011

• X6 crossovers manufactured from February 2010 to October 2011

• Z4 roadsters manufactured from January 2010 to August 2011

If the aluminum bolts break, the vehicle's check engine light will come on, and a check control message will be displayed on the dash. If operation of the cam-timing unit (called VANOS) is compromised, the engine will operate with reduced power in "safe mode" and could become noisy. If the problem is left uncorrected, performance will worsen, and could lead to no-start conditions, stalling or engine damage.

The fix

On affected vehicles, BMW will replace the VANOS unit's housing bolts. The repair takes approximately 4 hours, and will most likely require a full day at the dealer service bay.