Luxury automaker BMW announced Monday that it will recall 1.3 million of its vehicles across the globe for potential problems with a battery-cable cover. San Diegans should take note of this recall immediately in order to prevent car accidents due to potentially faulty vehicle equipment.

BMW’s 5 and 6 series car models manufactured between 2003 and 2010 are affected by the recent recall. Although the company said it was not aware of any injury or car accidents related to the recall, they are nevertheless urging consumers who own such vehicles to take action immediately to avoid the potential risk for accidents.

The recall now stands as one of its largest recalls in its history.

“In some remote cases, the battery cable cover inside the boot [trunk] of these vehicles may be incorrectly mounted,” BMW said. “This can result in the electrical system malfunctioning, the vehicle failing to start and, in some cases, to charring or fire.”

If you own a BMW that falls within the recall notice, you should have already been notified in writing with instructions on how to repair the faulty battery cover. The repair, according to the car manufacturer, is free of charge and will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

However,  vehicle owners who have purchased a used vehicle or who remain unregistered with BMW are urged to call the manufacturer direct at 1-800-563-4269, or email CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

The recall follows a $3 million dollar fine that BMW paid last month for failing to report safety defects and potential recalls within a reasonable amount of time. U.S. vehicle regulators require car manufacturers to report vehicle defects and potential hazards within five days of its finding, and to issue subsequent recalls thereafter.

While BMW did not acknowledge that they violated the federal regulation, Monday’s recall tags on the heels of its statement that the company will “ensure timely reporting to consumers and the federal government in the future.”

Recalls: stay ahead of the curve

In this day and age, with so many products available to consumers, recalls are a part of our everyday reality. And unfortunately, product recalls have the likelihood of causing serious harm and injury – the entire reason products are recalled in the first place. That’s why it’s never been more important to stay ahead of the curve and keep up to date with product recalls that matter to you.

With the thousands of products Americans use each year, the task may seem daunting, but it is surprisingly easy to stay on top of important product recalls. Consider the following tips:

  • Always register purchased products by filling out the manufacturer’s registration cards and mailing them in. If there aren’t any registration cards enclosed, you can generally find them online at the manufacturer’s website. Products like cribs, strollers, car seats, furniture, blinds, outdoor gear, gas-powered products, and large equipment will generally be accompanied by a registration form.
  • Go to recalls.gov and sign up for recall alerts for the products that matter to you including food and cosmetic recalls. You can filter out which recall notices you’d like to receive, which makes this task easy and frees up your email inbox.
  • Report a faulty product. It often takes the consumer to alert the manufacturer in order to begin the process of a recall. In fact, this is the most common way a recall is initiated. If you’ve been injured by a product recall, or have had a “close call,” do not hesitate to contact the manufacturer or brand right away to report the occurrence.

If you have been injured by a faulty product or vehicle, you may be entitled to legal rights. Call 1-858-551-2090 for a free legal consultation of your individual case. Our law firm works hard to seek maximum financial recovery for people injured by poorly-made and dangerous products.