[Exclusive] BMW 5 Series and Others 'Instrument Cluster Shutdown' Manufacturing Defect... Up to 300,000 Units to be Recalled?

Investigation of All Models with Electronic Instrument Clusters Including 530i
"Designed Behavior but Safety Concern"
Software Update Expected Based on Similar Cases

The best-selling imported car this year is set to undergo a recall due to manufacturing defects. The BMW 5 Series experienced incidents where the instrument panel turned off while driving, prompting authorities to launch an investigation, which led to this outcome. According to data from the Korea Imported Automobile Association, the BMW 5 Series sold 9,507 units, making it the best-selling imported car model this year. After the exact models and quantities are confirmed, measures such as software upgrades will be implemented.

The Korea Transportation Safety Authority’s Automotive Safety Research Institute recently stated this in the “BMW Korea 530i and Others Instrument Panel Shutdown Manufacturing Defect Investigation Report.” The investigation covered 303,811 BMW vehicles equipped with electronic instrument panels, including the 530i, produced from July 2015 to March of this year. A representative from the Korea Transportation Safety Authority said, “Currently, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is notifying the manufacturer (BMW) and deciding on the corrective measures.”

The issue was first discovered in 2020. It occurred across various models, but was most frequently found in the 5 Series. In June 2020, a BMW X5 experienced the instrument panel and navigation screen turning off, which was reported to the vehicle recall center. Subsequently, seven more similar incidents occurred by December last year. Among these, three cases involved the 530i, two involved the X5, and one each involved the 520i, 620d, and 730d. The incidents happened regardless of mileage. The X5 that showed the same issue in December last year had only 102 km on the odometer.

The investigation revealed that the cause was software-related rather than a device or mechanical defect. The research institute explained that BMW intentionally designed the system to prevent incorrect information from being delivered to the driver when erroneous data generation is detected within the instrument panel. The instrument panel is designed to turn off if the vehicle experiences a malfunction or problem while driving. Instead, fault information appears on the front seat’s central information display (CID), allowing control of acceleration, steering, braking, and other vehicle functions. However, speed information is not displayed on the CID as it is not considered fault information.

The reason the research institute judged this issue as a manufacturing defect is due to similar recall cases domestically and internationally. In September 2020, 3,757 units of two models, including the Honda Odyssey, experienced instrument panel and rear camera display failures due to unstable communication networks. In January 2018, 941 units of two models, including the BMW M2, underwent recalls due to software errors causing the instrument panel not to display during initial startup. Notably, in China, a recall was conducted in January this year for 171,828 BMW 5 Series vehicles due to instrument panel shutdown issues. All these cases involved recalls through software upgrades.

The research institute stated, “Since the instrument panel shutdown occurs without warning, leaving the driver unable to receive any information from the vehicle, and considering the numerous domestic and international recall cases related to this phenomenon, it is judged to be a manufacturing defect that impairs safe driving.”

BMW Korea responded to the manufacturing defect investigation by stating, “Even if the instrument panel shuts down, the driver can fully control the driving situation,” and “There have been no reports worldwide of accidents or serious driving situations related to this issue.” However, they added, “Although the likelihood of defect occurrence is very low, we are preparing follow-up measures to ensure customer satisfaction.”

According to data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Vehicle Recall Center, there have been 28 confirmed recalls this year due to software issues, including instrument panel shutdowns. The total number of affected vehicles is 108,849. About half of these (51,471 units) are Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicles, which underwent corrective action due to vehicle control unit (VCU) software problems. In terms of the number of cases, BMW leads with 11 recalls.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.