Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cables (BMW)
Vehicle recall 99V-004. NHTSA received BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE’s report on Jan 4, 1999.
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The short answer
NHTSA received BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE’s report on Jan 4, 1999. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 23, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
THE CABLE INSULATION CAN BE WORN AWAY, EXPOSING THE WIRE. THE WIRE COULD CONTACT THE CLIP OR A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
THE THICKNESS OF THE MAIN POSITIVE ELECTRICAL CABLE (GENERATOR TO STARTER) INSULATION IS LESS THAN SPECIFIED, MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING ABRADED OR CUT BY THE CLIP THAT SECURES THE CABLE TO THE GENERATOR.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cables.
What should you do?
DEALERS WILL APPLY A THICKNESS OF INSULATING TAPE TO THE CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE CLIP, AND INSTALL A REVISED CLIP.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 26, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-0117. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 1,615 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
- BMW 740ILAand 1999, before the model years listed here
- BMW 740IAand 1999, before the model years listed here
- BMW 540IAand 1999, before the model years listed here
- BMW 540IATand 1999, before the model years listed here
- BMW 540Iand 1999, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 23, 2026.