BMW 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series And 5 More Recall R/2021/015: The Battery Cables On The 48V Starter Generator May Not Have Been Sufficiently Secured…, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 25 Jan 2021
- Launched
- 388
- vehicles in the UK
- 0012490500 0012560500
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
BMW recalled 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series and 5 more vehicles built between 7 November 2019 and 5 January 2021. The battery cables on the 48V starter generator may not have been sufficiently secured during the production process. The dealer will check the screw connection of the 48V positive / negative battery cables on the starter generator and rework if necessary. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The battery cables on the 48V starter generator may not have been sufficiently secured during the production process.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: THE BATTERY CABLES ON THE 48V STARTER GENERATOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY SECURED DURING PRODUCTION Defect: The battery cables on the 48V starter generator may not have been sufficiently secured during the production process. Remedy: Check the screw connection of the 48V positive / negative battery cables on the starter generator and rework if necessary.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: the battery cables on the 48V starter generator may not have been sufficiently secured during production.
The Fix
The dealer will check the screw connection of the 48V positive / negative battery cables on the starter generator and rework if necessary.
Are You Affected?
3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series and 5 more built between 7 November 2019 and 5 January 2021 may be included. BMW estimates 388 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 0012490500 0012560500 or the DVSA reference R/2021/015. 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 | |
| X3Programming control units (Steering gear) | Urgent | R/2025/535 |
This is one of 275 BMW recalls in DVSA’s data. The BMW recall launched before it was R/2020/290 on 14 Dec 2020, for remaining particles in the cells of the high voltage battery can cause a short circuit. The one launched after it was R/2021/037 on 9 Feb 2021, for the exhaust gas recirculation cooler could leak over time. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 2021 and high-voltage battery recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2021/015, launched 25 January 2021. 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.