Keyless ignition system vehicle rollaway
Defect Summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-series vehicles, equipped with the comfort access option, and manufactured august 23, 2004, through july 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the transmission to park when the driver presses the start/stop button to shutdown the engine. if the driver presses the engine start/stop button 2 or 3 times within a short time interval, the system may shift the transmission to neutral rather than park. if using the electronic key (comfort access mode), there would be no protection from the ignition interlock that prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in park.
Safety Consequence
If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or enter the vehicle or to other bystanders in the path of the vehicle.
Corrective Action
Bmw will notify owners beginning in november 2012. the remedy became available in march 2013. owners may call bmw at 1-800-525-7417 or email bmw at customerrelations@bmwusa.com.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Bmw Of North America, Llc or involving Electrical System.
FAQ: Recall 12V502000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 12V502000?
NHTSA recall 12V502000 was issued by Bmw Of North America, Llc on October 17, 2012. It addresses: Keyless ignition system vehicle rollaway. The recall affects approximately 45,500 vehicles, with the defect involving the Electrical System component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Bmw Of North America, Llc dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 12V502000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.