The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The rear axle differential May contain ring gear bolts that were incorrectly torqued during assembly. The bolt or bolts could loosen leading to noise from the differential.
The risk
The bolt or bolts could loosen leading to noise from the differential and if a bolt were to completely work loose from its mount, lockup of the rear axle could occur.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the vehicle's differential and if involved, will replace it.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 99V-272 (99V272000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Component | Power train › Driveline › Differential unit |
| Report date | October 7, 1999 |
| Owners notified | December 10, 1999 |
| Vehicles affected | 36 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the transmission & drivetrain
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 99V-272 repair free?
Yes. BMW dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's differential and if involved, will replace it.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 36 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.