BMW, Nissan recall more than 165,000 vehicles for potential fuel pump issue

Nissan Motor Co. and BMW AG announced Friday, April 10, a global recall of more than 165,000 vehicles due to possible fuel pump failures that could stall or prevent an engine from starting.

Affected vehicles include more than 95,000 Nissan Rogue SUVs in the United States and Canada from the 2014 model year and about 70,500 BMW vehicles worldwide from model years 2014 and 2015.

In documents posted Friday by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), both companies say improper nickel plating inside the pump can detach and block moving parts, causing them to fail. Such an occurrence can increase the risk of a crash through engine stalling.

Both automakers used pumps manufactured by the same supplier, Robert Bosch.

The issue with the pumps came to light through warranty claims and complaints, but neither Nissan nor BMW have reported any related crashes or injuries. They also said affected engines are more likely not to start than stall.

Both companies will replace pumps for free. Nissan will notify owners of affected vehicles in May and BMW will begin doing so in late April.

Of recalled Nissan vehicles, 76,424 are in the United States and its territories, while 18,789 are in Canada.

A BMW spokesman was unable to provide the breakdown of vehicles affected outside the United States, but NHTSA documents state 18,054 of them are in the United States.

Affected BMW models in the United States from the 2014 model year are: 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, 228i Coupe, ActiveHybrid 3, M235i Coupe, 481i Coupe, 435i Coupe, 435xi Coupe, 428xi Coupe, 328xi Sports Wagon, 428i Convertible, 428xi Convertible, 328xi Gran Turismo, 335xi Gran Turismo and 435i Convertible.

From the 2015 model year, affected BMW vehicles are: 428i Gran Coupe, 428xi Gran Coupe and 435i Gran Coupe.

(With reports from Associated Press and Reuters)