Vehicle recall R/2018/132

BMW 1 Series and others recall: Plug in contact cable may malfunction (R/2018/132)

DVSA recall R/2018/132 names the BMW 1 Series, BMW X1, BMW Z4 and BMW 3 Series. It was launched 7 June 2018. It covers vehicles built 20 September 2006 to 30 June 2011.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2018/132
Launched: 7 June 2018
Issued by: BMW
Manufacturer reference: 0061770400
Vehicles: 311,848 across the whole recall

What can go wrong

The positive battery cable to the front distribution box behind the glove box can become damaged by vibrations and frictional corrosion. This may cause a loss of electrical connection to the distributions box. Symptoms include being unable to gain entry or start the car but the most common are a flickering instrument panel or uneven engine performance. However if the electrical connection is completely lost this will also affect the operation of the vehicles lighting systems; e.g. sidelights or hazard warning lamps.

The fix

On affected vehicles carry out a suitable repair to the battery cable positive cable.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. DVSA gives one vehicle number for the whole recall: 311,848.
Model	Built
BMW 1 Series	24 October 2006 to 30 June 2011
BMW 3 Series	20 September 2006 to 30 June 2011
BMW X1	19 August 2009 to 15 June 2011
BMW Z4	2 December 2008 to 30 November 2009

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/2018/148 Variation to electrical resistance in the blower regulator wiring harness connector 27 June 2018, BMW 3 Series
R/2018/171 Front axle swivel bearings may not have been produced to specification 9 July 2018, BMW 2 Series, BMW X1, MINI Countryman
R/2018/211 Software fault with crankshaft sensor 20 August 2018, BMW 4 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW 6 Series and others
R/2018/027 Backrest could fold forward under heavy load 5 February 2018, BMW 1 Series
R/2018/260 Software fault in crankshaft sensor 15 October 2018, BMW 5 Series, MINI Cooper and One, BMW 2 Series and others
R/2018/258 Exhaust gas recirculation cooler could potentially leak over time 5 November 2018, BMW 2 Series, BMW X3, BMW 5 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