BMW 1 Series Recall R/2004/172: Connections On The Control Arm To The Rear Axle May Become Loose, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Book soon
- How serious
- 29 Sep 2004
- Launched
- 30
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2004/172
- DVSA reference
BMW recalled 1 Series vehicles built between 19 May 2004 and 8 September 2004. The rear axle control arms may not have been fitted as intended. The dealer will check the subject control arms for correct alignment and if found not to have been fitted as intended they may require to be replaced. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The rear axle control arms may not have been fitted as intended. In consequence the connections on the control arms concerned may become loose causing unacceptable lateral forces to be applied to the securing bolts. In this situation exact alignment of the wheels can no longer be guaranteed.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: CONNECTIONS ON THE CONTROL ARM TO THE REAR AXLE MAY BECOME LOOSE Defect: The rear axle control arms may not have been fitted as intended. In consequence the connections on the control arms concerned may become loose causing unacceptable lateral forces to be applied to the securing bolts. In this situation exact alignment of the wheels can no longer be guaranteed. Remedy: Recalled vehicles will have the subject control arms checked for correct alignment and if found not to have been fitted as intended they may require to be replaced.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause unacceptable lateral forces to be applied to the securing bolts.
The Fix
The dealer will check the subject control arms for correct alignment and if found not to have been fitted as intended they may require to be replaced.
Are You Affected?
1 Series built between 19 May 2004 and 8 September 2004 may be included. BMW estimates 30 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/2004/172. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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, 2 Series Gran, X1Seat belt rear outer seats | Urgent | R/2025/443 | |
| 1 Series, 2 Series Active, 2 Series GranChecking the threaded connection of grounding cable PCU48 | Urgent | R/2025/267 | |
| 1 Series, 2 Series Active, 2 Series GranRework front end threaded connection (BMW) | Low | R/2024/452 |
This is one of 275 BMW recalls in DVSA’s data. The BMW recall launched before it was R/2004/141 on 11 Aug 2004, for seat occupancy detector may fail and inpact on airbag protection. The one launched after it was R/2005/001 on 23 Dec 2004, for front seat back-rest heater may overheat. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 2004 and suspension recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2004/172, launched 29 September 2004. 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.