BMW 3 Series Recall R/1992/013: Possible Chafing Of The Battery Cable, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 28 Feb 1992
- Launched
- 8,700
- vehicles in the UK
- R/1992/013
- DVSA reference
BMW recalled 3 Series vehicles built between 1 January 1991 and 28 February 1992. Chafing may occur where two cables pass through a grommet in the front bulkhead. The recall notice describes the fix as: de-energise the 6 sq.mm. battery positive cable which backs up the engine management system by cutting it at both ends and taping it to the cable. An alternative arrangement is being made to back up the engine management system. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Chafing may occur where two cables pass through a grommet in the front bulkhead. This could result in a short circuit and fire risk.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: POSSIBLE CHAFING OF THE BATTERY CABLE Defect: Chafing may occur where two cables pass through a grommet in the front bulkhead. This could result in a short circuit and fire risk. Remedy: Recall affected vehicles. De-energise the 6 sq.mm. battery positive cable which backs up the engine management system by cutting it at both ends and taping it to the cable. An alternative arrangement is being made to back up the engine management system.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could result in a short circuit and fire risk.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: de-energise the 6 sq.mm. battery positive cable which backs up the engine management system by cutting it at both ends and taping it to the cable. An alternative arrangement is being made to back up the engine management system.
Are You Affected?
3 Series built between 1 January 1991 and 28 February 1992 may be included. BMW estimates 8,700 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with BMW, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with BMW.
- Book with any franchised BMW dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/1992/013. See how to get a BMW recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Series, 3 Series, 3 Series Touring, 4 Series and 7 moreReplace the engine starter motor | Urgent | R/2026/054 | |
| 1 Series, 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 3 Series and 3 moreReplace the driver’s airbag: takata PSDI-5 | Urgent | R/2025/327 | |
| 1 Series, 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 2 Series and 22 moreTakata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (Global VINs) | Urgent | R/2025/349 | |
| 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 3 Series, 3 Series PHEV and 14 moreReplace the engine starter motor | Urgent | R/2025/405 | |
| 3 SeriesReplace the front passenger airbag takata PSPI | Urgent | R/2025/323 |
This is one of 275 BMW recalls in DVSA’s data. The one launched after it was R/1995/030 on 7 Apr 1995, for possible damage to wheel bearings. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 1992 and fire risk recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/1992/013, launched 28 February 1992. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.