[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

Not as far reaching as the Takata airbag issue, but still a logistical nightmare. Just determining the actual cause with so few examples in which it actually happened, must have been challenging. I doubt BMW itself discovered the cause. Perhaps a third party analysis company that specializes in this type of manufacturing deep dives?

With the current halt in production, this makes me think the discovery of the real issue must have been recent. Further confirmed by the fact that vehicles in assembly have halted.

My burning question would be, Is it possible for the company that supplies them to instantly pivot their Manufacturing process to prevent further circuit boards from being contaminated. (e.g. is it human process driven error or robotic).

Or was this due to failure to implement proper clean room practices (seems to be implied). Unholy mess either way.

[Streamliner]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

Wow - this piece in Bloomberg puts things in perspective:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic..._campaign=copy

- 1.5M vehicles involved - Rolls Royce, sedans and SUV’s
- First came up in June 2022
- traced to a manufacturing plant in Hungary where dust/smudges contaminated the assembly of circuit boards

You can read the story here without a pay wall:

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/com...-behind-recall

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

Or was this due to failure to implement proper clean room practices (seems to be implied). Unholy mess either way.

I think you hit the nail on the head. Note:

Continental traced the defect back to a plant in Hungary. Workers producing the brakes’ circuit boards there failed to maintain a sufficiently clean environment, leaving smudges or dust on the components that hampered the system’s performance, according to people familiar with the matter.


(Another link, as I could not read the US or SP version)
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business...behind-recall/

This does make me wonder about the design in general. If a "smudge" creates an electrical issue severe enough to disrupt braking performance, they'd best make sure this circuit board is sealed diligently "somewhere" onboard. Considering the grime, mud, dirt, water, etc. that a car experiences in its lifetime, how would you safeguard this thing?

[TurtleBoy]

We know that over-torquing the shipping plugs was originally determined to be the cause of the issue. I guess there could have been multiple issues or they were just wrong about it. I'm reserving judgement until we see some documentation from BMW or at least from another source.

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

We know that over-torquing the shipping plugs was originally determined to be the cause of the issue. I guess there could have been multiple issues or they were just wrong about it. I'm reserving judgement until we see some documentation from BMW or at least from another source.

I assume that was an internal BMW communication (it seems as though you’ve got a good source here)? How would torquing of shipping plugs cause this - is this shipping the components from Continental to BMW?

[PeterC4]

Here is another interesting perspective on the crisis at BMW and the German Auto Industry.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/com...ndustry-crisis

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

Exactly. It explains my sudden halt in the "Quality Control" phase of production as well.

But Todd, Mine wasn't delayed. It went straight from Body Shop to on it's way to port of exit in a week. Are you sure it wasn't the special order option that did it?

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

But Todd, Mine wasn't delayed. It went straight from Body Shop to on it's way to port of exit in a week. Are you sure it wasn't the special order option that did it?

I don’t don’t know, honestly. The article said they literally stopped production for the G60 on Thursday, and won’t resume until Tuesday. If the quality check was longer due to 4NB, it may have gotten caught up in the fray?

I’m starting to wonder if even the ones they shipped most recently are resolved for this recall. Why would you halt production if the current part you were using was fine?

[AiredaleDad]

I guess I'll find out if they allow me to take delivery or tell me there is a stop sale and I have to wait for resolution. Won't find out until it gets here. We'll see. I'll keep you posted.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

I assume that was an internal BMW communication (it seems as though you’ve got a good source here)? How would torquing of shipping plugs cause this - is this shipping the components from Continental to BMW?

Yes from continental to BMW. The inspection for over-torquing was added to the recall remedy SIB in May supposedly when they started using older stock for repairs.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

I don’t don’t know, honestly. The article said they literally stopped production for the G60 on Thursday, and won’t resume until Tuesday. If the quality check was longer due to 4NB, it may have gotten caught up in the fray?

I’m starting to wonder if even the ones they shipped most recently are resolved for this recall. Why would you halt production if the current part you were using was fine?

My understanding is they paused it due to low demand and likely more importantly a lack of the IBS as they are being diverted to the stop sale vehicles.

[patch5674]

I asked the online Genius chat here in the UK specifically if my pending but built order was affected by the recall, they told me that they could 'confirm' that there wasn't an 'open technical campaign' on my car, but then they also told me to ask my dealer for further information.....

So none the wiser, once the dealer contacts me to tell me it has arrived I will ask then.

[geneatals]

I've been watching my 550e order sit on "order received" for almost 4 weeks now on the mybmw tracking....

[geneatals]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

I don’t don’t know, honestly. The article said they literally stopped production for the G60 on Thursday, and won’t resume until Tuesday. If the quality check was longer due to 4NB, it may have gotten caught up in the fray?

I’m starting to wonder if even the ones they shipped most recently are resolved for this recall. Why would you halt production if the current part you were using was fine?

or they pushed your order through, but once it makes it to the states, it would still have to go thought the VPC and then released to the dealer. If your car is still effected by the recall, hopefully it will be addressed at the VPC (and addressed quickly)

[MiGs550e]

What I love (not) is knowing after production is complete it sits outside in the weather for weeks waiting. So is it really New, New if it sits in the sun for weeks degrading the plastics and rubber? Can someone do the science on that? haha

[Ever Green]

My 550e has been "at the port" for about three weeks now. My dealer said it is going to or at the Bremerhaven port. He checked today and said fortunately my 550e is not impacted by the recall but they are sitting on roughly 50 cars right now that are. Maybe I am being held up waiting on the ability to add more cars to the shipment... it is anybody's guess.

[aptekcom]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

My understanding is they paused it due to low demand and likely more importantly a lack of the IBS as they are being diverted to the stop sale vehicles.

I checked with my dealer this morning and they have told me that BMW still has no ETA for the part. My car has been diagnosed as having a defective one.

[aherman18]

Hope the Dingolfing plant restarts tomorrow!! I've been in the paint shop for a week!

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by aptekcom

I checked with my dealer this morning and they have told me that BMW still has no ETA for the part. My car has been diagnosed as having a defective one.

Do you mean your vehicle is on the stop sale or on the recall?

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by aherman18

Hope the Dingolfing plant restarts tomorrow!! I've been in the paint shop for a week!

I'm only a couple steps ahead of you. By this time, they should have been able to spray 4000 cars and QC just as many. lol.

[aherman18]

Maybe I have 100 coats of paint on my car!!!

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by MiGs550e

What I love (not) is knowing after production is complete it sits outside in the weather for weeks waiting. So is it really New, New if it sits in the sun for weeks degrading the plastics and rubber? Can someone do the science on that? haha

Except that the cars are covered in white protective film from the factory. And the environment in Dingolfing or Bremerhaven probably isn’t as harsh as many US locations, at least in September/October.