Vehicle recall R/1999/104

BMW 5 Series and others recall: Brake lights may fail to operate remain on or flicker

DVSA recall R/1999/104 names the BMW 5 Series, BMW 3 Series and BMW 7 Series. It was launched 15 December 1999. It covers vehicles built 16 September 1999 to 28 October 1999.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/1999/104
Launched: 15 December 1999
Issued by: BMW
Vehicles: 5,634 across the whole recall

What can go wrong

There is a possibility that the brake light switch circuits may become defective and cause the brake light circuit to fail stay on continuously or flicker. In extreme cases the brake switch could overheat.

The fix

Recall affected vehicles and replace brake light switch with a modified version.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. DVSA gives one vehicle number for the whole recall: 5,634.
Model	Built
BMW 3 Series	16 September 1999 to 28 October 1999
BMW 5 Series	16 September 1999 to 28 October 1999
BMW 7 Series	16 September 1999 to 28 October 1999

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/1999/059 Possibility that gearbox may lock up 30 July 1999, BMW 5 Series, BMW 7 Series
R/1999/047 Possible unscheduled deployment of side airbags and activation of battery isolator switch 25 May 1999, BMW 3 Series
R/2000/135 Lower steering shaft may fail 26 February 2001, BMW 3 Series
R/2001/146 Tyres may have cuts in side walls. 9 November 2001, BMW 5 Series, BMW 3 Series
R/2002/012 Engine cooling fan may fail. 31 January 2002, BMW 5 Series
R/2002/025 Possible detachment of ball bearing from front suspension strut top mounting 22 February 2002, BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series

Found one you might buy?

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. Methodology · Data sources