The rich also face recalls. A new one impacting the $248,000 Rolls-Royce Ghost.
“You know, the rich are different from you or me,” F. Scott Fitzgerald reportedly explained to Ernest Hemmingway once.
Likely true on most counts but, it seems, rich and poor alike share a common problem when it comes to automotive recalls. And that includes Rolls-Royce, which has been snagged by a circuit board problem that could lead to fires in its Ghost model.
The problem also appears to be impacting some products produced by BMW, the German automaker that owns Rolls.
The issue centers around the system used to control the auxiliary water pump for the 2011 version of the turbocharged Ghost sedan, according to a statement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“The circuit board for the electric auxiliary water pump can overheat,” NHTSA explained. “This could lead to a smoldering of the pump or an engine compartment or vehicle fire.”
While there have been more than a dozen reports of failures involving the circuit board, company officials say they have not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to the problem, either with the BMW or Rolls-Royce brands.
For the British marque, a grand total of just 69 turbocharged 8- and 12-cylinder models are impacted. A relatively insignificant number but an unusual inconvenience for owners spending at least $248,000 for a “base” Rolls-Royce Ghost.
The number of vehicles affected grows exponentially when it comes to the BMW brand.
The Baviarian maker has announced it will recall 2,846 vehicles — 2012 7-Series, X5 and X6 models – to fix the problem. But that’s on top of an October 2011 service action impacting 32,084 more vehicles, including the 2011 6-Series, 5-Series and 5-Series Gran Turismo.
Both Rolls and BMW say they will offer free repairs to owners impacted by the latest recall, with dealers set to start the work before the end of this month.