Owner Letter
March 2000Recall Campaign No. 00V-048, Brake Lamp Switch
Dear BMW Owner/Lessee:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
BMW AG has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain model year 2000 BMW 323i, 328i, 528i, 528iT, 540i, 540iT, M5, 740i, 740iL, and 750iL vehicles. Our records indicate that you are the owner or lessee of a potentially affected vehicle.
DESCRIPTION OF DEFECT
The brake lamps of your vehicle are controlled by a switch activated by movement of the brake pedal. This switch could fail internally, causing it to remain either in the "brake lamps off" position or in the "brake lamps on" position. If this happens, the brake lamps either will not operate or will be continuously illuminated, regardless of brake pedal position.
DESCRIPTION OF INSPECTION / REPAIR
The repair will consist of inspecting and, if necessary, replacing the existing brake lamp switch with an improved switch.
This repair will require approximately one hour and will be performed free of charge by your Authorized BMW center. Additional time may be required depending on the BMW center's scheduling and processing.
PRECAUTIONS
1. CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED BMW CENTER IMMEDIATELY TO HAVE THE NECESSARY REPAIR PERFORMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
2. Before the repair, brake lamp operation should be checked with the vehicle stationary by turning the key to position 2 ("ignition" or "on") and depressing the brake pedal. An observer facing the rear of the vehicle can determine if the brake lamps are working properly. If the brake lamps are inoperative or continuously lit, the vehicle should not be driven. Arrangements should be made for pickup and repair.
3. If the inoperative or continuously-lit brake lamps are ignored and the vehicle is driven, a crash involving another vehicle (or vehicles) could occur without prior warning, depending on environmental and traffic conditions.
4. If you are not the sole driver of your car, please advise all other drivers of these necessary precautions.
OTHER INFORMATION
If the vehicle to which this notice applies has been leased and you are the lessor, you MUST send a copy of this notice to the lessee.
If you no longer own this vehicle, we would appreciate your furnishing us with the name and address of the new owner, using the enclosed postage-paid card.
Should you have any questions about this campaign, please contact your Authorized BMW center.
We appreciate your confidence in our product, and we wish to do everything we can to retain your confidence. Should you need additional assistance, you may contact BMW Customer Relations at 1-800-831-1117.
If the BMW center is unable to remedy the defect without charge or within a reasonable period of time, you may notify the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, DC 20590, or call the toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393 (Washington, DC area residents may call 202-366-0123).