In a news release Wednesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2009 X5 sport utility vehicles due to a faulty fuel system component, posing a risk of a drained battery and a vehicle fire hazard.
Subject to recall are 2,120 model year 2009 X5 SUVs manufactured from October 1, 2008 through June 12, 2009 that are equipped with a diesel engine. The vehicle’s fuel filter heater could experience an electrical overload, causing the device to become permanently activated. If the device, used to warm up the vehicle’s diesel fuel during operation on chilly days, stayed activated, even when the ignition is off, the SUV’s battery could go dead. It is also possible that the fuel filter heater could overheat, posing the risk of a vehicle fire.
BMW has received a total of 25 reports regarding the fuel filter heater issue, three of which involved the U.S. model of the X5. The automaker is not aware of any accidents or injuries resulting from the defect.
BMW is expected to notify vehicle owners of the recall in early October. Owners will be able to take their SUV to a dealer where the fuel filter heater will be replaced at no charge to the owner.
As a Los Angeles car accident lawyer, motorist safety is something that I am very aware of; I encourage affected owners of the recalled SUVs to arrange for the needed repairs as soon as possible. Because of my experience as a product liability lawyer, I know that the effects of a faulty product can range from inconvenience and frustration to injury and sometimes death. I hope that no one has been harmed as a result of the defective fuel filter heater.