BMW is recalling 27,720 vehicles in the United States across three model lines over a driveshaft issue that could result in the cars rolling away, according to filings made with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency that oversees vehicle safety and defect investigations.

The recall affects the German luxury automaker's 5 Series, 7 Series and 8 Series. According to the safety notice, the problem stems from the connection between the driveshaft and the rear differential, which may experience excessive wear over time. The driveshaft is the component that transmits power from the engine and transmission to the differential, which in turn delivers torque to the rear wheels.

If that wear becomes excessive, it can lead to a loss of power to the rear wheels, increasing the risk of a crash or of the vehicle rolling away if it is not secured by the parking brake.

The affected vehicles break down as follows:

• 18,150 5 Series vehicles produced from 2021 to 2023, covering the 540i, 540i xDrive and M550i xDrive;
• 7,372 8 Series vehicles produced from 2022 to 2026, covering the 840i and 840i xDrive;
• 2,198 750e xDrive models made from 2024 through 2026, the 750e xDrive plug-in hybrid.

BMW has not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to the drivetrain issue, the notice states. Recalls issued before any accidents or injuries are reported are routine in the auto industry, where manufacturers are required to act once a safety-related defect is identified in vehicles already on the road. FOX Business has reached out to the automaker for further comment.

BMW dealers have been instructed to perform the recall repair for affected vehicle owners free of charge, consistent with U.S. requirements that safety recalls be remedied at no cost to consumers. Technicians will either apply an adhesive to the affected part or replace the driveshaft and rear differential.

BMW plans to send notification letters to affected vehicle owners by Oct. 2. Owners who want to confirm whether their vehicle is included can enter its 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) into the recall lookup tool at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Because the safety notice warns that the rollaway risk arises when a vehicle is not secured by the parking brake, affected drivers should use the parking brake each time they park until the repair is completed.

Source: Fox Business