BMW 5 Series, 7 Series Recall R/1999/059: Possibility That Gearbox May Lock Up, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Low
- How serious
- 30 Jul 1999
- Launched
- 12
- vehicles in the UK
- R/1999/059
- DVSA reference
BMW recalled 5 Series, 7 Series vehicles. Possibility that the automatic transmission may lock up at speeds below 15mph. The dealer will fit a new quality assured gearbox. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Possibility that the automatic transmission may lock up at speeds below 15mph.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: POSSIBILITY THAT GEARBOX MAY LOCK UP Defect: Possibility that the automatic transmission may lock up at speeds below 15mph. Remedy: Recall affected vehicles and fit a new quality assured gearbox.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: possibility that gearbox may lock up.
The Fix
The dealer will fit a new quality assured gearbox.
Are You Affected?
5 Series, 7 Series may be included. BMW estimates 12 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/1999/059. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Series, 5 Series Touring, 7 Series, 7 Series - High Security and 2 moreChecking and re-securing the air-conditioning wiring harness | Urgent | R/2026/092 | |
| 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, 2 Series and 22 moreTakata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (Global VINs) | Urgent | R/2025/349 | |
| 5 SeriesProgram control units (CoC documents) | Low | R/2026/075 | |
| 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 |
This is one of 275 BMW recalls in DVSA’s data. The BMW recall launched before it was R/1999/047 on 25 May 1999, for possible unscheduled deployment of side airbags and activation of battery isolator switch. The one launched after it was R/1999/104 on 15 Dec 1999, for brake lights may fail to operate remain on or flicker. You can also see every BMW recall and all recalls launched in 1999.
Source: DVSA recall R/1999/059, launched 30 July 1999. 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.