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Vehicle recall R/2018/211

BMW 4 Series and others recall: Software fault with crankshaft sensor

DVSA recall R/2018/211 names the BMW 4 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW 6 Series, MINI Cooper and One, BMW X2, BMW 3 Series and 5 more BMW models. It was launched 20 August 2018. It covers vehicles built 10 May 2018 to 13 July 2018.

Recall data updated

Recall
R/2018/211
Launched
20 August 2018
Issued by
BMW
Manufacturer reference
0013850200 0013860200
Vehicles
4,025 across the whole recall

What can go wrong

The affected vehicles may be equipped with a crankshaft sensor with a software fault. The crankshaft sensor cannot process the signal values from the crankshaft transmitter due to an improper firmware level. The firmware does not compensate sufficiently the temperature gradients and the magnetic field strength of the sensor electronic. If the crankshaft sensor cannot process the signal values from the transmitter the Digital Diesel Electronic (DDE) will notice that and change to the emergency operation mode. The emergency mode will be displayed by the check control message ‘engine malfunction’. The driver may notice a rough running engine and a reduced driving power (70%). However an engine stalling during driving conditions cannot be excluded.

The fix

On the affected vehicles the crankshaft sensor will be replaced with a new version.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. DVSA gives one vehicle number for the whole recall: 4,025.
ModelBuilt
BMW 1 Series22 May 2018 to 13 July 2018
BMW 1 Series24 May 2018 to 7 June 2018
BMW 2 Series10 May 2018 to 7 June 2018
BMW 2 Series17 May 2018 to 6 June 2018
BMW 2 Series18 May 2018 to 6 June 2018
BMW 2 Series22 May 2018 to 6 June 2018
BMW 3 Series18 May 2018 to 5 June 2018
BMW 3 Series18 May 2018 to 7 June 2018
BMW 3 Series24 May 2018 to 5 June 2018
BMW 4 Series18 May 2018 to 6 June 2018
BMW 4 Series23 May 2018 to 7 June 2018
BMW 4 Series29 May 2018 to 6 June 2018
BMW 5 Series17 May 2018 to 6 June 2018
BMW 5 Series17 May 2018 to 26 June 2018
BMW 6 Series17 May 2018 to 5 June 2018
BMW 7 Series16 May 2018 to 6 June 2018
BMW 7 Series17 May 2018 to 4 June 2018
BMW X116 May 2018 to 8 June 2018
BMW X216 May 2018 to 7 June 2018
MINI Countryman19 May 2018 to 9 June 2018
MINI Cooper and One (MINI)25 May 2018 to 12 June 2018
MINI Cooper and One (MINI)30 May 2018 to 13 June 2018
MINI Cooper and One (MINI)31 May 2018 to 12 June 2018
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/2018/242 Crash protection plate for the high pressure fuel pump was not installed in 3 cylinder petrol engines 24 September 2018, MINI Countryman
  • 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/2018/148 Variation to electrical resistance in the blower regulator wiring harness connector 27 June 2018, BMW 3 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/2018/132 Plug in contact cable may malfunction 7 June 2018, BMW 1 Series, BMW X1, BMW Z4 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

More on these models

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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