BMW 5 Series, 6 Series, Alpina And 2 More Recall R/2012/039: Risk Of Fire, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 24 May 2012
- Launched
- 128,701
- vehicles in the UK
- 0061560300
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
BMW recalled 5 Series, 6 Series, Alpina and 2 more vehicles built between 1 March 2003 and 30 September 2010. The positive battery cable routed from the vehicle battery to the engine bay consists of one cable in the luggage compartment and one cable in the underbody. The dealer will check the clips on the battery the cover replaced and sealed. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The positive battery cable routed from the vehicle battery to the engine bay consists of one cable in the luggage compartment and one cable in the underbody. Both cable are connected by a screw connection and covered by a plastic cover. In single cases the plastic cover may have been fitted incorrectly during the vehicle production. Over time an incorrectly fitted cover could cause the screw connections to come loose leading to an increased resistance also humidity may affect the connection and cause high resistance and drop in current. This can lead to the vehicle not starting and in extreme cases the connection could over heat leading to the possibility of a fire in the luggage area.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: RISK OF FIRE Defect: The positive battery cable routed from the vehicle battery to the engine bay consists of one cable in the luggage compartment and one cable in the underbody. Both cable are connected by a screw connection and covered by a plastic cover. In single cases the plastic cover may have been fitted incorrectly during the vehicle production. Over time an incorrectly fitted cover could cause the screw connections to come loose leading to an increased resistance also humidity may affect the connection and cause high resistance and drop in current. This can lead to the vehicle not starting and in extreme cases the connection could over heat leading to the possibility of a fire in the luggage area. Remedy: The clips on the battery will be checked the cover replaced and sealed.
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 the screw connections to come loose leading to an increased resistance also humidity may affect the connection and cause high resistance and drop in current.
The Fix
The dealer will check the clips on the battery the cover replaced and sealed.
Are You Affected?
5 Series, 6 Series, Alpina and 2 more built between 1 March 2003 and 30 September 2010 may be included. BMW estimates 128,701 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 campaign code 0061560300 or the DVSA reference R/2012/039. 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/2012/050 on 27 Apr 2012, for fire may occur. The one launched after it was R/2012/078 on 18 Jul 2012, for potential fire risk. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 2012 and fire risk recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2012/039, launched 24 May 2012. 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.