BMW recall: Replace VANOS bolts N51 N52 N55
Yes – some of these vehicles are being recalled
- What's wrong
- On affected vehicles overtime the aluminium screws can loosen or break on the adjustable variable camshaft timing (VANOS) units potentially resulting in engine emergency mode being activated.
- What to do
- Contact a BMW dealer to book the free repair. On affected vehicles the eight aluminium screws will be replaced if evidence of faulty screws is found then the VANOS adjustment unit will also be replaced.
Source: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
Check your reg on DVSA ↗
What’s wrong
On affected vehicles overtime the aluminium screws can loosen or break on the adjustable variable camshaft timing (VANOS) units potentially resulting in engine emergency mode being activated.
The fix
On affected vehicles the eight aluminium screws will be replaced if evidence of faulty screws is found then the VANOS adjustment unit will also be replaced.
Vehicles affected
| Model | Built from | Built to | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 SERIES SALOON | 23 Sep 2009 | 9 Dec 2009 | 2 |
| 5 SERIES TOURING | 17 Mar 2010 | 18 Mar 2010 | 4 |
| X5 | 28 Oct 2009 | 11 Mar 2010 | 2 |
| 1 SERIES COUPE | 30 Sep 2009 | 22 Jul 2011 | 263 |
| X3 | 12 Oct 2009 | 25 Feb 2010 | 8 |
| X1 | 20 Dec 2010 | 20 Dec 2010 | 1 |
| 1 SERIES CONVERTIBLE | 9 Oct 2009 | 16 Jul 2011 | 176 |
| Z4 | 3 Sep 2009 | 3 Aug 2011 | 3,695 |
| 3 SERIES SALOON | 13 Nov 2009 | – | 8 |
| 3 SERIES TOURING | 28 Apr 2010 | 30 Mar 2011 | 3 |
| 3 SERIES COUPE | 23 Oct 2009 | 8 Jun 2011 | 4 |
| 3 SERIES CONVERTIBLE | 23 Feb 2010 | 22 Feb 2011 | 4 |
| 7 SERIES SALOON LWB | 30 Oct 2009 | 9 Apr 2010 | 3 |
| 5 SERIES SALOON | 16 Sep 2010 | 18 Jul 2011 | 4 |
| 5 SERIES TOURING | 21 Oct 2010 | 21 Oct 2010 | 1 |
| 6 SERIES CONVERTIBLE | 28 Jul 2010 | 28 Jul 2010 | 1 |
| X3 | 24 Aug 2011 | – | 1 |
How to check your vehicle
Use the official DVSA checker with your registration number to see if your exact vehicle is included. If it is, the manufacturer should have written to the registered keeper. The repair is free, even if you bought the vehicle second-hand.
Updated 1 May 2024. This page summarises an official notice. Details can change – always follow the official notice.