Recall 13V017 affects 360 2011 BMW Activee vehicles for insufficient drivetrain sealing that can wear motor gearing. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 360 2011 Activee vehicles because insufficient sealing in the drivetrain housing can leave the gear shaft without enough grease. As the connection between the electric motor and transmission wears, the vehicle can suddenly lose propulsion and crash risk rises; the BMW dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The drivetrain housing on the 2011 BMW Activee encloses the parts that move power from the electric motor toward the transmission. Inside that housing, a gear shaft needs grease lubrication so it can turn smoothly under load. The seal around the housing is supposed to keep that grease where the shaft needs it and keep contamination out.
On affected vehicles, the drivetrain housing assembly was not sealed tightly enough. Grease does not stay on the gear shaft as designed, so the shaft loses lubrication while it continues transferring power. Without enough grease, the shaft and related gears face extra friction and wear during normal driving. That defect is tied to the power train, the system that carries motor power to the wheels.
There is no warning sign before failure. If your 2011 BMW Activee feels different while accelerating or shifting, treat that as a service concern, but the recall source does not identify a reliable early symptom.
Who's affected?
| 2011 BMW Activee | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 360 |
Not every 2011 BMW Activee is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A worn drivetrain connection can cause sudden loss of vehicle propulsion, which increases crash risk. Schedule the recall inspection soon and drive cautiously until the drivetrain connection has been checked. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 BMW Activee is included in this recall.
- Contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 for owner instructions and reference recall number 13V017 when you call.
- Ask a franchised BMW dealer about the free drivetrain inspection and sealing-system update that protects the electric-motor gear connection from losing lubrication.
- Bring any BMW recall notice or owner contact details to the dealer visit.
- Drive carefully until BMW confirms the repair is complete, since worn electric-motor gearing can cause sudden loss of propulsion.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician inspects the drivetrain connection, updates the sealing system, and checks whether the electric motor gearing shows wear. If worn gearing is found, the technician replaces it under the recall. The repair is intended to restore sealing around the drivetrain housing so grease lubrication remains where the gear shaft transfers power from the electric motor to the transmission. BMW's filing says the recall began on April 4, 2013. The dealer repair will be free once available.
Timeline
| January 17, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 4, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V017?
Recall 13V017 covers 360 2011 BMW Activee vehicles with drivetrain housing sealing that left the gear shaft short on grease lubrication. NHTSA campaign 13V017 says wear at the motor-to-transmission connection can cause sudden loss of propulsion and increase crash risk. BMW dealers inspect the connection, update the sealing system, and replace worn electric motor gearing for free.
What should I do if my 2011 BMW Activee is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V017. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer and reference recall number 13V017. The dealer will inspect the drivetrain connection, update the sealing system, and replace worn electric motor gearing for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and BMW's remedy says dealers will inspect the drivetrain connection, update the sealing system, and replace worn electric motor gearing. The repair is handled free of charge at a franchised BMW dealer.
Is it safe to drive my 2011 BMW Activee before the recall repair?
NHTSA campaign 13V017 says wear between the electric motor and transmission can result in a sudden loss of vehicle propulsion and increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, call a BMW dealer, describe the recall, and ask whether the vehicle needs towing or other service guidance before you drive it.
What if I bought my BMW Activee used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2011 BMW Activee is included, then contact a franchised BMW dealer and reference recall number 13V017 when you schedule service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V017000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V017 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V017000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →