MUNICH, Germany -

BMW Group announced Tuesday that it’s recalling the 5 and 6 Series models from the 2003 through 2010 model years to correct an issue with the battery.

Spokesperson Kenn Sparks confirmed to Auto Remarketing that 367,000 recalled units are in the U.S. as the automaker is summoning approximately 1.3 million vehicles worldwide. 

BMW explained that in some remote cases, the battery cable cover inside the boot of these vehicles may be incorrectly mounted. 

Officials said this condition can result in the electrical system malfunctioning, the vehicle failing to start and, in some cases, to charring or fire. 

“We are not aware of any accidents or injury to persons resulting from this fault,” BMW officials declared.

“Vehicle owners will be notified in writing,” they continued. “Affected vehicles will remain at the respective BMW repair shop for approximately 30 minutes, the service, of course, being free of charge to the customer.”

BMW Group and TMC Sign Lithium-ion Battery Collaborative Research Agreement

In other company news, BMW and Toyota Motor Corp. announced on Tuesday that they have signed an agreement on collaborative research in the field of next-generation lithium-ion battery cells and have started research.

The companies indicated the agreement follows the memorandum of understanding concerning a mid-to-long-term collaboration on next-generation environment-friendly vehicles and technologies announced by the two automakers on Dec. 1.

Officials also noted the research project being undertaken under the agreement is focusing on increasing the performance and capacity of lithium-ion battery cells through the use of new combinations of materials for cathodes, anodes and electrolytes.

In addition to the collaborative research agreement between BMW and TMC, Toyota Motor Europe (TME), TMC’s European subsidiary, and BMW entered into a contract — also first revealed on Dec. 1 — under which BMW is to supply highly efficient 1.6 liter and 2.0 liter diesel engines to TME starting in 2014.