BMW Recall 13V-407: Exterior lighting – tail lights

The problem

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).

The risk

Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign	13V-407 (13V407000)
Manufacturer	BMW of North America, LLC
Component	Exterior lighting › Tail lights
Report date	September 11, 2013
Owners notified	January 2, 2014
Vehicles affected	134,100
Initiated by	Manufacturer

Vehicles covered

Plus 1 other model/year combinations not covered on this site.

Owner complaints about the lights

Frequently asked questions

Is the recall 13V-407 repair free?

Yes. BMW dealers will fix the problem at no cost: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

How do I know if my car is included?

Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 134,100 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.