The owners of certain 2008-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with 4.4-liter V-8 (N63B44O0) engines are finding that when they go to their dealership for routine service, there is a recall affecting their vehicles that they have not been notified about.

In June 2013, dealerships received a service bulletin for the N63 powerplant, which amended the oil capacity requirements of the engine, adding a full (1) US quart to the capacity of the motor, citing “increased oil consumption” in the twin turbo V8. In December 2014, BMW released a “customer care package” campaign (SI B00 13 14) affecting almost all 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, X5, and X6 model lines have names ending with “50i” and equipped with N63 engines. Instruction for the program include tests on engine performance that will be sent to BMW for review. Dealership instructions include checking:

• Hot-Film Air Mass Sensors (2)
• PIEZO High Pressure fuel injectors (8)
• Engine vacuum pump (1)
• Fuel System Low Pressure Sensor (1)
• Fresh Air Intake Turbo Seals (2)
• Crankcase Ventilation Lines (Hoses)
• Timing Chain Inspection Measure

Depending on what the results are, BMW may require the dealer to replace certain components of the engine. The program includes vehicles that are no longer under warranty regardless of the mileage. Additionally, these vehicles will no longer be a part of the BMW long-life service intervals. The service interval would be shortened to nearly half, requiring a check every 12 months or 10,000 driven miles.

Models affected by the campaign include:

• F01 and F02 (7 Series Sedan)– produced from 3/2009 to 6/2012
• F04 (Active Hybrid 7)– produced from 4/2010 to 6/2012
• F07 (Gran Turismo)– produced from 9/2009 to 6/2012
• F10 (5 Series Sedan)– produced from 3/2010 to 7/2013
• F12 (6 Series Convertible)– produced from 3/2011 to 7/2012
• F13 (6 Series Coupe)– produced from 7/2011 to 7/2012
• E70 (X5)– produced from 3/2010 to 6/2013
• E71 (X6)– produced from 7/2008 to 6/2014
• E72 (ActiveHybrid X6)– produced from 9/2009 to 9/2011

The dealership bulletin was accompanied by region sales rep meetings with branch/service managers, informing them of the campaign, and issuing instructions to contact all owners serviced at their branches operating the N63 engine. The accompanying marketing campaign, which would be a major focus for 2015 of BMW world-wide, was intended to dampen the effect of such a wide spread recall on BMW’s diminishing brand loyalty and customer service issues, the tactics of which could be seen in the extended efforts surrounding the recall.

BMW dealerships were instructed to offer extra incentives for owners affected by this campaign, offering trade-in cash bonuses for their N63 equipped vehicles with the purchase of a new BMW (details in a separate sales bulletin – “N63 Customer Loyalty Offer”). Sales teams were also provided with discretionary authorization to provide customers with a gift of $50 value, including anything from a gas card, gift bag containing BMW Lifestyle products, or vehicle detailing.