BMW Ireland has isseud a recall which relates to the battery cable cover of certain BMW 5 and 6 Series models. Vehicles produced between March 2003 and September 2010 are affected. The number of vehicles affected in the Irish market is 8,500. This issue has come to light through the continuous testing and development of BMW vehicles and some customer feedback.

The battery positive cable is guided from the battery in the luggage compartment via a partition area on the luggage compartment floor to the battery positive terminal in the engine compartment. The battery positive cable on the under body is clipped to the partition area from underneath by means of a battery cable cover and screw connected to the battery positive cable in the luggage
compartment.

In very rare cases, the cover might not have been correctly clipped to the under body. Long-term influences such as vibration, changes in temperature or other environmental influences may cause water ingress and a loosening of the screw
connection.

As a result, there may be fluctuations in the vehicle electrical system causing malfunctions in various different systems and even leading to the engine not starting. It is also possible that the screw connection can overheat, which, in extremely rare cases can lead to a scorching of the overlying floor panel in the luggage compartment. We cannot rule out the possibility of a fire in the luggage compartment. 

The following is a list of the cars affected:
BMW 5 Series Saloon 03/2003 - 09/2010
BMW 5 Series Touring 03/2004 - 05/2010
BMW M5 Saloon 02/2005 - 12/2009
BMW M5 Touring 02/2007 - 04/2010
BMW 6 Series Coupe 09/2003 - 07/2010
BMW 6 Series Convertible 12/2003 - 07/2010
BMW M6 Coupe 03/20050 - 07/2010
BMW M6 Convertible 09/2006 - 07/2010