Diesel filter heater that does not switch off and flattens the battery or scorches the engine bay (BMW 5 Series diesel, 2011 and 2013 recalls)

Engine / equipment

BMW 5 Series diesel (E60 and F10) and other 4- and 6-cylinder BMW diesels

Period mentioned

Recalls of August 2011 and August 2013

Symptoms

Starting problems from a flat battery and, in the worst case, scorch damage in the engine bay.

Possible cause described

According to the ADAC, a faulty connection leaves the diesel filter heater permanently on: the diesel heats up, the battery goes flat and in the extreme case there is fire damage. In 2011 the connector was replaced (about 60 minutes; 35,000 cars in Germany); in 2013 the heater is replaced with a modified version (about two hours; 34,900 cars). Both are free.

Check for the garage

Ask BMW by VIN whether it was done. If the battery goes flat for no reason on a diesel BMW, tell the garage.

Cost cited in the source

Free under the recall.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database