Vehicle recall 86V151000 · November 10, 1986

BMW 325, 524 and 5 more models

Brake light switch could overheat, eventually leading to melting of plastic internal parts in area of electrical contacts.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: Brake light switch could overheat, eventually leading to melting of plastic internal parts in area of electrical contacts.
Consequence: Consequence of defect: switch plunger could jam, rendering brake lights either inoperative or continuously illiminated, regardless of brake pedal operation.
Remedy: Replace brake light switch with revised switch with increased electrical load capacity.
Notes: System: brake light switch. Vehicle description: passenger cars with high brake lights.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 86V151000
Reported to NHTSA: November 10, 1986
Filed by: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Owner notification: March 20, 1987
Vehicles potentially affected: 97,300
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

Recall 86V151000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

BMW 325 (1986-1987): 1987, 1986
BMW 524 (1986-1987): 1987, 1986
BMW 528 (1986-1987): 1987, 1986
BMW 535 (1986-1987): 1987, 1986
BMW 635 (1986-1987): 1987, 1986
BMW 735 (1986-1987): 1987, 1986
BMW L7 (1986-1987): 1987, 1986

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