BMW reported that as a precaution it was recalling 56,000 X5s and 38,700 MINIs worldwide to fix transmission and brake problems. All owners will be notified by letter and the repairs will be made free of charge at local dealers.

BMW said no injuries or accidents have resulted from either defect, both of which were discovered during internal quality reviews.

"If there had been a danger to life or limb, we would have issued a public appeal to the owners, rather than go through the dealers," BMW spokesman Wieland Bruch said. The X5 brake fault "doesn't happen suddenly and drivers could use the hand brake in an emergency," he said.

• MINI and MINI Cooper models with manual transmissions have a problem with a cable connecting the gearshift to the gearbox, which could result in the car stuck in gear.
• The X5 has a problem with the brake pedal shaft, which could result in a loose pedal and subsequent loss of braking.

To solve the mechanical problems, a fastener clip needs to be attached on the MINI, and a pin needs to be inserted on the X5.

If you haven't received a letter and you want to know if your vehicle is affected, then call the Service Department of any authorized BMW dealer and give them your VIN number. In the USA, if your vehicle hasn't been serviced in a reasonable period of time, then call BMW of North America's toll-free number at 1-800-332-4269 for assistance. Your repair should be top priority at the dealer.

Manual transmission MINI and MINI Cooper models have a problem with a cable connecting the gearshift to the gearbox, which could result in the car getting stuck in one gear. The MINI Cooper S model is not affected by the recall.

The transmission shift cable connects the gearshift lever in the vehicle interior to the shift linkage on the transmission. The shift cable can come loose, making it difficult to shift gears. The car can still be driven in the current gear. The solution involves fitting a fastening clip to prevent the shift lever from detaching from the gearbox. The procedure takes a few minutes.

As reported by South Africa's News 24, one locally-owned MINI Cooper failed while changing gears to climb a hill. The owner said, "My car was one of the MINIs that failed while I was driving and I nearly made an accident as I was going uphill and I was trying to find a lower gear, when all of a sudden there was none!"

The X5 has a problem with the brake pedal shaft that could result in a sudden loosening of the pedal and loss of brake power.

The brake pedal shaft could become detached from the bearing mount. If this happens, the brakes will no longer function. The vehicle can be controlled by downshifting and/or using the hand brake. BMW says the problem will likely occur at low speeds or while parking.

The repair involves checking the brake pedal shaft in the bearing mount and securing it with a new roll pin. Owners have reported that some dealers are installing a complete new brake arm assembly.

The MINIs in question were made between May 2001 and May 2002, while the X5s were made between August 1999 and February 2001.

BMW said it had sold some 87,000 MINIs worldwide by the end of June, and about 40% will have to be repaired. Almost a third of the 187,000 X5s delivered worldwide will also have to be fixed.

In the USA, 3,531 MINI Coopers with manual transmissions are affected. In South Africa, 427 MINI Coopers were affected, of which 170 have already had the dealer fix. The remainder will be notified by their dealer to have the fix implemented.

In the USA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the responsible government agency. For reference, the NHTSA Campaign ID Numbers are:

• 02V194000 for the X5.
• 02V201000 for the MINI.

The MINI is produced in Oxford, England, while the X5 is made at Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA.

Worried about your vehicle? To put quality in perspective, for the fourth consecutive year, BMW won the title of Highest Scoring Brand in the Strategic Vision's 2002 Total Quality Index (TQI), including Total Quality Awards for the 3 Series and the X5. BMW is the only European Luxury carmaker to win TQI awards this year.

The X5 was the leader in the "Luxury SUV" segment with 904 points. In describing the X5, Strategic Vision Editors said, "the X5 scores well in craftsmanship, ride and handling, as well as roadability and style. It provides a great sense of freedom, especially in power and control, esteem and balance." The X5 has also been awarded accolades such as "Best Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle" from Automobile Magazine, Best Sport Utility Vehicle in Robb Report's "Best of the Best" 2002 and "Best SUV" in Money Magazine's "Annual Car Guide 2002."

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