German automaker BMW is recalling about 45,500 7-Series vehicles due to a potentially serious transmission manufacturing defect.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), BMW 7-Series vehicles that were built and sold between 2005 and 2008 could be subject to a transmission control issue that is caused by the automobile's keyless ignition system.
The automaker said that as a result of the defect, the automatic transmissions may not remain in park position due to the software problem on cars equipped with keyless ignition and the comfort access option.
If the driver presses the engine start/stop button two or three times within a short time the transmission may shift into neutral rather than park, the automaker said.
The affected BMW models in the recall include 2005 BMW 745I, 2005 BMW 745LI, 2006-2008 BMW 750I, 2006-2008 BMW 750LI, 2005-2006 BMW 760I and 2005-2008 BMW 760LI.
BMW said that it will identify owners starting November 2012 but will not have revised software available to remedy the vehicles until March 2013.
