Shift Flaw Prompts BMW to Recall 7 Series

BMW AG is preparing to recall 45,500 of its top-of-the-line 7 Series sedans in the U.S. because the vehicles may not shift into Park as expected.

Affected cars include the 745 model built in 2005 and the 750 and 760 models produced between 2005 and 2008. The campaign involves only vehicles equipped with BMW's keyless Comfort Access option.

The Comfort Access system enables a driver to unlock, operate and lock their vehicles without inserting a key into the ignition switch. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the system could leave an unattended car's transmission in Neutral instead of Park, thus allowing it to roll away.

BMW reports 52 complaints of such rollaways. The company and NHTSA have been investigating the issue since January 2009. BMW says the necessary software update to fix the problem won't be available to dealers until next March.