Manufacturers like BMW do their best to make vehicles that offer excellent quality and reliability. Unfortunately, vehicles may leave the factory with issues that must be addressed later on via recall. Vehicle recalls ensure vehicles remain reliable and safe to drive.
How many BMW recalls exist concerning the soft close door feature?
So far, two recalls exist for this issue. Affected vehicles include 2005-2008 BMW 7 Series models equipped with the Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options.
Fortunately, we’ll take a close and thorough look at both BMW soft close door recalls. We’ll also tell you how to proceed if your vehicle is among the ones affected by this recall.
Doors May not Fully Latch
NHTSA Recall ID: 12V504000
When the door on properly-equipped BMW 7 Series vehicles is approximately 1/4-inch from being closed, the soft-close automatic door feature’s electric motor softly and quietly pulls the door completely shut. Unfortunately, this feature may not work properly due to a software problem.
Due to the software glitch, the doors may appear properly closed and latch. However, they can inadvertently open while driving. Ignoring this recall is dangerous, as this issue could cause passengers to be accidentally ejected from the vehicle at speed.
BMW’s fix for this problem involves a software update.
Doors May not Fully Latch
NHTSA Recall ID: 17V328000
Similar to the previous recall (#12V504000), the doors on certain 2005-2008 BMW 7 Series vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options may inadvertently open. This issue can happen despite the doors appearing to be closed and latched.
Unwary passengers who touch or lean on the doors risk being ejected from the vehicle. A sudden occupant ejection can cause serious injuries and put other passengers at risk.
To resolve this issue, your BMW dealer will update the door latch system.
How to Handle BMW Soft Close Door Recalls
Are you wondering if your BMW is involved in the soft close door recalls? Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, enter the VIN or vehicle year, make and model in the search field and click “GO.” The system will find recall information concerning your vehicle.
Once you’ve found an open recall on your BMW vehicle, call the BMW customer service line at 1-800-525-7417. You’ll receive more information about the recall, where to have your vehicle serviced, and what to look forward to during the recall.
