One of BMW’s most popular engines has a special mode that results in poorer exhaust gas cleaning, according to a German authority. Possibly 150,000 cars may need to be updated.
BMW has previously stated that there is no “cheating software” that lowers emissions temporarily in the group’s diesel engines. But according to the German authority KBA, it is exactly the type of software that has now been discovered in two BMW engines.
Earlier this year, the KBA opened an investigation into BMW, which was suspected of using special software to lower emissions of nitrogen oxides in the X3 SUV with four-cylinder diesel engines. The German environmental and climate organization DUH discovered differences in the emissions this summer.
Now the KBA states in a statement that this type of prohibited technology has been found in the BMW X3 xDrive20d and X3 sDrive18d with engine code N47D20. It was a popular engine found in many BMW and Mini models.
According to KBA, the so-called EGR system is put into a special mode when the air conditioning is switched on and the outside temperature is within a certain range. KBA claims that the European Court of Justice has previously ruled that this type of system is illegal.
The cars covered were manufactured between 2010 and 2014. Photo: Christian Ellmark
BMW is working with KBA to find a solution and has drawn up an action plan. It will consist of updates to both the car’s hardware and software and will be rolled out in June 2024.
Exactly how many cars are covered is unclear, but BMW estimates that it could be 100,000-150,000 cars in Europe. The cars were manufactured between 2010 and 2014.
BMW can still appeal the decision. The car manufacturer has previously stated that the engine meets all legal requirements, but has now sent a statement to German media in which the company “acknowledges a possible problem with the durability of individual components in the exhaust gas treatment system”.
We Car owners have contacted BMW for a comment.
