Vehicle recall R/2013/149

BMW 5 Series recall: Towing ball hitch may detach

DVSA recall R/2013/149 names the BMW 5 Series. It was launched 20 December 2013. It covers vehicles built 28 June 2013 to 12 November 2013.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2013/149
Launched: 20 December 2013
Issued by: BMW
Manufacturer reference: 0062330100
Vehicles: 13 across the lines below

What can go wrong

Electronically deployed tow hitch is automatically deployed by button located ion luggage compartment. The pivot uses a mechanical control link which is electrically adjusted. This is necessary to prevent a loosening or shaking loose of the end stop during driving. Due to a software error in the instrument cluster the driver may not in certain cases get prior warning if the adjustment fails. The consequences of this are that the ball hitch can shake loose from the end stop whilst driving. The control link can break due to the imposed load of the trailer and the hitch can pivot downwards causing loosening/detachment of the trailer and adversely affect the vehicle control.

The fix

Recall affected vehicles and reprogramme the control unit/instrument cluster.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. Vehicle numbers are DVSA figures for each line.
Model	Built	Vehicles
BMW 5 Series	28 June 2013 to 12 November 2013	13

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/2013/095 Possibility of fire 10 September 2013, BMW X3, BMW 5 Series, BMW X5 and others
R/2014/068 Engine emergency mode may be activated during driving 28 July 2014, BMW 3 Series, BMW Z4, BMW X1 and others
R/2012/109 Engine may fail 26 September 2012, BMW 6 Series, BMW 5 Series
R/2012/039 Risk of fire 24 May 2012, BMW 6 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW M5 and others
R/2012/049 Fire may occur 27 April 2012, BMW 5 Series, BMW X5, BMW 6 Series and others
R/2011/147 Short circuit may occur 17 November 2011, BMW 7 Series, BMW X6, BMW 5 Series and others

Found one you might buy?

A recall is one part of the picture. See how often it fails its MOT at each age, or what the VetTheCar Buying Report tells you about a specific car.

See an example Buying Report Free car tools

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