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Campaign 13V044 Posted February 7, 2013 516,791 units

2007-2012 BMW 128I-335I, Z4 Recall 13V044: Battery Cable

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published June 2, 2026

Recall 13V044 affects 516,791 2007-2012 BMW 128I, 135I, 328I, 335I, and Z4 vehicles for battery-cable connector failure. Free repair at any franchised BMW dealer.

BMW is recalling 516,791 2007-2012 128I, 328I, 335I, 135I, and Z4 vehicles because the positive battery cable connector and fuse-box terminal can degrade over time. A broken connection can cut electrical power, stall the vehicle, and increase crash risk; BMW dealers will complete the repair free of charge once available.

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What's wrong?

The positive battery cable connector on affected 2007-2012 BMW 128I, 328I, 335I, 135I, and Z4 vehicles carries battery power into the fuse box. The fuse box then distributes that power to the vehicle's electrical circuits, so the connection has to stay tight and clean while high current flows through it.

On these vehicles, the connector and the matching terminal on the fuse box degrade over time. As resistance builds at that connection, heat increases during normal current flow. That heat can damage the connection until it breaks, cutting electrical power to the vehicle.

There is no warning sign before failure. If the connection opens while the vehicle is in use, electrical power can stop suddenly, so the problem needs dealer repair before the connection fails.

Who's affected?

Spans five BMW model lines across 2007-2012, with battery cable, wiring, and electrical system components listed by model year.

2008 BMW 128I wiring
2007 BMW 328I wiring
2007 BMW 328I battery
2007 BMW 328I electrical system
2009 BMW 335I wiring
Units affected516,791

The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.

What's the safety risk?

If electrical power is lost, the vehicle can stall unexpectedly and increase crash risk. Keep extra space from traffic, avoid long trips until the repair is handled, and contact a BMW dealer if the engine stalls or electrical power cuts out. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2012 BMW 128I, 328I, 335I, 135I, or Z4 is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised BMW dealer and ask whether the positive battery cable connector repair is open for your VIN.
  3. Schedule the free positive battery cable connector repair if the dealer confirms your VIN is eligible; the repair replaces the connector and secures it so the vehicle keeps electrical power.
  4. Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V044 when you call.
  5. Call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 with questions about this recall.

What happens at the repair

BMW's listed repair is to replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method. Once the dealer repair is open for scheduling, a BMW technician handles the connector at the fuse box connection and confirms the cable is secured as specified by the recall. Parts and labor will be covered under the recall once the repair opens. The owner letter for this repair was listed as beginning on March 13, 2013.

Timeline

February 7, 2013 NHTSA published the recall
March 13, 2013 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 13V044?

Recall 13V044 covers 516,791 2007-2012 BMW 128I, 328I, 335I, 135I, and Z4 vehicles. The positive battery cable connector and fuse-box terminal can degrade, break the electrical connection, and cause a loss of power that increases crash risk.

What should I do if my 2007-2012 BMW 128I, 328I, 335I, 135I, or Z4 is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific BMW is included in recall 13V044. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule replacement of the positive battery cable connector and improved securing method. Reference recall 13V044 when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and BMW's remedy says dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method free of charge.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is an unexpected stall from loss of electrical power. NHTSA campaign 13V044 says the positive battery cable connection can degrade over time, which can interrupt vehicle power and increase crash risk.

What if I bought this BMW used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the VIN, not the first owner, so a used 2007-2012 BMW 128I, 328I, 335I, 135I, or Z4 still qualifies if its VIN is included.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V044000
BMW customer service1-800-525-7417
NHTSA recall #13V044
NHTSA recall # (full)13V044000

Source documents

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 →