Recall 13V407 affects 134,100 2008-2010 BMW 528I, 535I, 550I, and M5 cars for rear lamp failure. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 134,100 2008-2010 528I, 535I, 550I, and M5 passenger cars because resistance at the taillight electrical contacts can damage the ground terminal and connector housing. Lost tail, brake, turn-signal, or reverse lamp functions reduce warnings to other motorists and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear lamp connector on the 2008-2010 BMW 528I, 535I, 550I, and M5 carries power and ground for the tail, brake, turn signal, and reverse lights. The ground terminal gives electricity a return path after the lamp circuit does its job. When that connection is clean and tight, the rear lights respond when you brake, signal, shift into reverse, or turn on the lights.
On affected BMW cars, resistance increases at the taillight electrical contact points over time. That extra resistance can heat and damage the ground terminal and the connector housing. Once the connector is damaged, one or more rear lamp functions can cut in and out or stop working completely.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices can be a rear light that works intermittently, a brake light or turn signal that does not illuminate, or a lamp warning message if the vehicle detects the fault.
Who's affected?
Spans 4 model names across the 2008, 2009, and 2010 model years, all tied to the tail-light system.
| 2008 BMW 535I | Tail lights |
|---|---|
| 2009 BMW 550I | Tail lights |
| 2010 BMW 535I | Tail lights |
| 2009 BMW 535I | Tail lights |
| 2010 BMW 528I | Tail lights |
| 2008 BMW 528I | Tail lights |
| 2009 BMW 528I | Tail lights |
| 2010 BMW M5 | Tail lights |
| 2009 BMW M5 | Tail lights |
| 2008 BMW M5 | Tail lights |
| 2010 BMW 550I | Tail lights |
| 2008 BMW 550I | Tail lights |
| Units affected | 134,100 |
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?
Intermittent rear light operation makes it harder for other drivers to see braking or turn signals, which increases the risk of a crash. Drive cautiously and leave extra space until the recall repair is completed. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2010 BMW 535I, 550I, 528I, or M5 is included in this recall.
- Check whether BMW mailed an owner notice dated January 2, 2014, then keep it with your service paperwork.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer and ask about the rear lamp bulb-carrier replacement that fixes tail, brake, turn-signal, and reverse lamp failures.
- Reference recall number 13V407 when you call the dealer or BMW customer relations.
- Drive with extra space until the repair is complete, since rear lamp failures reduce warning to other drivers.
What happens at the repair
BMW has identified rear lamp bulb carriers as the recall repair. Once the dealer remedy is available, a BMW technician will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers at no charge. That repair addresses the electrical contact issue that can damage the ground terminal and connector housing for rear lamp functions. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Contact BMW customer relations for repair status.
Timeline
| September 11, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 2, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V407?
Recall 13V407 covers 134,100 2008-2010 BMW 528I, 535I, 550I, and M5 passenger cars with rear lamp electrical contacts that can overheat or damage the connector ground terminal. BMW dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2010 BMW 535I, 550I, 528I, or M5 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific BMW is included in recall 13V407. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule rear lamp bulb carrier replacement. Reference recall number 13V407 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, and BMW's remedy says dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. That applies at any franchised BMW dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced rear lighting. If tail, brake, turn signal, or reverse lamps stop working, drivers behind you get less warning about braking, turning, or backing up. That raises the risk of a crash. The dealer repair corrects the rear lamp bulb carrier issue.
What if I bought my BMW 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 2008-2010 BMW 528I, 535I, 550I, or M5 is included, then call a franchised BMW dealer with recall number 13V407.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V407000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V407 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V407000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →