BMW said it would recall 11,700 cars to fix their engine management software after it discovered that the wrong programming had been installed on them. Photo: Bloomberg
Frankfurt: German carmaker BMW said on Friday it would recall 11,700 cars to fix their engine management software after it discovered that the wrong programming had been installed on its luxury 5- and 7-Series models.
“In the course of internal tests, the BMW Group has discovered that a correctly developed software update was mistakenly assigned to certain unsuitable model-versions,” the company said in a statement.
“The BMW Group informed the relevant authorities immediately.”
BMW issued the statement after a report in news weekly Der Spiegel suggested it had installed software that manipulated emissions of harmful gases such as nitrogen oxide, something its management has always denied.
Competitor Volkswagen reached a multi-billion-dollar US settlement after admitting installing so-called “defeat devices” on its diesel models designed to game emissions tests.
VW has been roiled by the “Dieselgate” emissions scandal, which has forced it to set aside €25.8 billion ($31.7 billion) to cover fines and related costs, of which it has paid out nearly €20 billion.
BMW said the models affected were 5- and 7-Series cars made between 2012 and 2017 containing high-performance diesel engines and three turbo chargers.
BMW did not say where the cars were but said it would cooperate with the relevant authorities on further steps. Reuters
