BMW 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series And 4 More Recall R/2017/132: Driveshaft Universal Joint May Break, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Low
- How serious
- 11 Apr 2017
- Launched
- 10,849
- vehicles in the UK
- 0026330100
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
BMW recalled 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series and 4 more vehicles built between 20 December 2010 and 29 April 2011. Due to insufficient strength the front universal joint in the rear front universal joint of the rear prop shaft may fail. The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicle replace the universal joint with a modified version. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Due to insufficient strength the front universal joint in the rear front universal joint of the rear prop shaft may fail.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: DRIVESHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT MAY BREAK Defect: Due to insufficient strength the front universal joint in the rear front universal joint of the rear prop shaft may fail. Remedy: On affected vehicle replace the universal joint with a modified version
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: driveshaft universal joint may break.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicle replace the universal joint with a modified version.
Are You Affected?
1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series and 4 more built between 20 December 2010 and 29 April 2011 may be included. BMW estimates 10,849 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 0026330100 or the DVSA reference R/2017/132. 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, 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 | |
| 5 SeriesProgram control units (CoC documents) | Low | R/2026/075 |
This is one of 275 BMW recalls in DVSA’s data. The BMW recall launched before it was R/2017/114 on 10 Apr 2017, for plug in contact cable may malfunction. The one launched after it was R/2017/167 on 22 May 2017, for front brake efficiency may be reduced. You can also see every BMW recall and all recalls launched in 2017.
Source: DVSA recall R/2017/132, launched 11 April 2017. 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.