Spokesman Frank Strebe said Friday there are globally 345,000 BMWs of the 5 Series, 6 Series and 7 Series vehicles powered by V8 and V12 engines and almost 6,000 Rolls Royce Phantom models that could be affected by the problem.
But he said that there were no plans yet for recalls in countries outside the U.S.
He added the company went ahead with the recall in the U.S. because it's the biggest market concerned and because of the legal situation there.
Strebe stressed there have been no reports of accidents or injuries.