RECALL - NOW BMW issues a recall on 156,000 cars - its getting worse.

BMW of North America said it is voluntarily recalling about 156,137 2010-2012 model-year vehicles in the United States because of a potential defect with the variable camshaft timing.

BMW announced plans to recall vehicles in China last month for the same problem.

A problem with the variable camshaft timing, also known as VANOS, could reduce engine power and further cause damage if not repaired, BMW said. 

“The unit rotates the intake or exhaust camshaft in order to alter the timing of the lift of the respective intake or exhaust valves,” a BMW spokesman said.

In a statement, BMW said that “in very rare cases, the bolts holding the variable camshaft timing unit housing may become loose or, in extreme cases, break.”

Should that happen, the “check engine” or “service engine soon” light comes on followed by the display of a “check control message.”

“If ignored, the problem can become progressively worse, eventually leading to no start conditions, stalling and engine damage,” BMW said.

The affected models are:

• 2010-12 1 series

• 2010-12 3 series

• 2010-2012 5 series

• 2010-12 5 series Gran Turismo

• 2012 6 series

• 2010-2012 X3

• 2010-12 X5

• 2010-12 X6

• 2010-12 Z4