Vehicle recall R/2014/068

BMW 3 Series and others recall: Engine emergency mode may be activated during driving

DVSA recall R/2014/068 names the BMW 3 Series, BMW Z4, BMW X1, BMW X3, BMW 5 Series, BMW 1 Series and 3 more BMW models. It was launched 28 July 2014. It covers vehicles built 1 September 2009 to 30 November 2011.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2014/068
Launched: 28 July 2014
Issued by: BMW
Manufacturer reference: 0011280300& 0011360300
Vehicles: 2,967 across the whole recall

What can go wrong

The screws retaining the variable camshaft timing (VANOS) housing may loosen and under certain circumstances the heads may break off. This can lead to the VANOS leaking oil internally and adversely affect the valve timing adjustment. If found to deviating from targeted data the engine emergency mode will be activated. This will be indicated by a distinct change in engine running. The orange engine management warning lamp and a check message; On vehicles with N51/N52 engines this will appear at ignition recycle on N55 engine it will display immediately.

The fix

Repalce bolted connection of the VANOS adjustment unit

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. DVSA gives one vehicle number for the whole recall: 2,967.
Model	Built
BMW 1 Series	1 September 2009 to 30 November 2011
BMW 3 Series	1 September 2009 to 30 November 2011
BMW 5 Series	1 September 2009 to 30 November 2011
BMW 6 Series	1 September 2009 to 30 November 2011
BMW 7 Series	1 September 2009 to 30 November 2011
BMW X1	1 September 2009 to 30 November 2011
BMW X3	1 September 2009 to 30 November 2011
BMW X5	1 September 2009 to 30 November 2011
BMW Z4	1 September 2009 to 30 November 2011

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/2014/054 Child safety lock may not activate 9 May 2014, BMW X5
R/2014/177 Safety belt may not restrain occupant 10 December 2014, BMW X5
R/2014/188 Seat belt may malfunction 6 January 2015, BMW 2 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW M3 and others
R/2013/149 Towing ball hitch may detach 20 December 2013, BMW 5 Series
R/2013/137 Front passenger airbag may not deploy correctly 10 December 2013, BMW X3
R/2015/109 Engine may stall 8 June 2015, BMW 4 Series, BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series and others

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