BMW recalls X5 SUV for brake flaw

DETROIT (Reuters) -- BMW is recalling 30,265 of its X5 SUVs from model years 2007-2010 to correct a brake vacuum pump leak, according to U.S. safety regulators.

BMW, in notifying the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said only vehicles equipped with V8 engines are affected.

BMW, in its NHTSA filing, said the "brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil into the vacuum hose (which) could result in contamination of the brake booster."

In some cases, BMW said, "loss of power assist braking could occur," which "could increase stopping distance and lead to a vehicle crash."

BMW said it has not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to the issue.

The automaker will provide free replacement parts and plans to notify customers and dealers this month.

The X5 is a luxury SUV that is priced in the United States from $48,000 to $65,000. It competes with similar models from Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and other premium brands.

Chrysler recalls 4,278 Vipers

Separately, Chrysler Group said today it is recalling 4,278 Dodge Viper sports cars globally to fix a part that could cause the airbags to inadvertently deploy, expanding a recall from last fall.

Chrysler is recalling 3,660 of the Vipers in the United States from model years 2003 and 2004 to address a potential for the front airbags or seat belt pretensioners to mistakenly deploy. Also affected are 440 cars in Canada, 10 in Mexico and 168 in the rest of the world.

The automaker said it is unaware of any inadvertent deployments in the Vipers. An interim notification is expected to be sent this month with a remedy available later in the year, according to documents filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Affected vehicles will be fitted, at no charge, with a harness filter that restores a control module's capacity to manage the airbag and pretensioner deployment. Last November, Chrysler recalled about 923,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs from model years 2002 through 2004 for the same issue.