Recall 13V045 affects 30,265 2007-2010 BMW X5 Sav vehicles for brake vacuum line oil contamination. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 30,265 2007-2010 X5 Sav vehicles with 8-cylinder engines because the brake vacuum pump can leak lubricating oil into the hose and reduce power assist. That loss increases stopping distance and raises crash risk; the BMW dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The brake vacuum pump on the 2007-2010 BMW X5 Sav helps create the vacuum that powers the brake assist system. Brake assist reduces the pedal effort needed to slow the vehicle, so the driver does not have to supply all of the braking force through leg pressure alone. On these 8-cylinder SUVs, that assist depends on a clean, sealed path between the pump and the brake booster.
In affected vehicles, the pump can leak a small amount of lubricating oil into the vacuum hose. Oil contamination inside that hose interferes with the vacuum supply that the brake booster needs. When the assist drops, the brakes still have a mechanical path, but the pedal takes more effort and stopping the vehicle becomes harder than expected.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices can be a brake pedal that suddenly feels much heavier because the power assist is reduced.
Who's affected?
Each model year carries 2 brake-related component labels: the brake system and hydraulic power assist.
| 2008 BMW X5 Sav | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2008 BMW X5 Sav | hydraulic brake system |
| 2007 BMW X5 Sav | brake system |
| 2007 BMW X5 Sav | hydraulic brake system |
| 2009 BMW X5 Sav | brake system |
| 2009 BMW X5 Sav | hydraulic brake system |
| 2010 BMW X5 Sav | brake system |
| 2010 BMW X5 Sav | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 30,265 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific SUV.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of brake power assist increases stopping distance and raises crash risk. Leave more room to stop, avoid hard braking, and schedule the recall repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2010 BMW X5 Sav is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer and ask whether the free brake-vacuum-line repair is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 13V045 when you call so the service desk can find the BMW brake assist recall.
- Schedule the brake vacuum line replacement that helps prevent loss of power assist braking.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and allow more room to stop.
What happens at the repair
BMW's filing says owners were notified and the recall began during March 2013. At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces the brake vacuum line with a line that contains a check valve. That change keeps lubricating oil from the brake vacuum pump out of the hose, which protects power assist braking. If the repair still needs to be completed for your VIN, the dealer repair is free once available, with parts and labor covered under recall 13V045.
Timeline
| February 7, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 29, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V045?
Recall 13V045 covers 30,265 2007-2010 BMW X5 Sav vehicles with an 8-cylinder engine. Oil from the brake vacuum pump can contaminate the hose, causing loss of power assist braking. BMW dealers replace the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve at no cost.
What should I do if my 2007-2010 BMW X5 Sav is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V045. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the brake vacuum line replacement. Reference recall number 13V045 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. For recall 13V045, BMW dealers replace the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
Loss of power assist braking increases stopping distance and crash risk. The brakes still require immediate attention because the driver has to press harder to stop the vehicle. If your VIN is included, schedule the free BMW dealer repair.
What if I bought my BMW X5 Sav used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2007-2010 BMW X5 Sav is included, then call a franchised BMW dealer and reference recall 13V045.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V045000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V045 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V045000 |
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)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (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 →