BMW recalling 241,000 3-Series cars for light defect

(September 1, 2011) BMW is recalling 241,000 3-Series cars in the U.S. because of a rear- light defect it says may cause crashes. It is one of the German automaker's largest safety-related recalls.

The recall is for model years 2002-2005 of the 325i, 325xi, 330i and 330xi cars, the German automaker said in a posting on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site.

Lights including tail, brake and turn signals may only work intermittently on the cars, BMW told the auto-safety regulator. This "reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions" and "could cause a vehicle to crash without warning," the company said.

BMW yesterday recalled 120,000 diesel cars worldwide because of a defect that could cause filter heaters to keep running after engines are turned off and cause a fire.

Source: Bloomberg News