Sunita Somvanshi
BMW has issued a recall for 196,355 vehicles in the United States due to a potential fire hazard from faulty engine starters. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns owners to park outside and away from structures until repairs are completed.
The problem stems from water getting into the starter’s electrical relay. Over time, this moisture can cause corrosion, leading to overheating and possible short circuits. In extreme cases, a fire could start even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition off.
“The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit,” NHTSA explained in their notice. BMW discovered the issue after investigating 10 vehicles that caught fire, though no injuries or accidents have been reported.
The recall affects multiple BMW models manufactured between 2019 and 2022, including the 330i, Z4, 530i, X3, X4, 430i (including Convertible), and 230i. About 1,469 Toyota Supra vehicles, which share components with the BMW Z4, are also included.
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While the recall covers 196,355 vehicles in the US, BMW estimates only about 0.1% (roughly 196 vehicles) will actually experience the defect. Globally, the recall extends to at least 331,000 vehicles, including 136,000 in Germany, and covers models built between 2015 and 2021.
The starter components were supplied by Valeo, according to documentation filed with NHTSA. BMW’s engineering investigation began in July 2024 after several thermal events involving the 3 Series and 5 Series vehicles.
BMW dealers will replace the starter free of charge, but the recall will take place in phases due to parts availability. Owners will receive notification letters beginning November 14, 2025, with a second letter to follow once replacement parts are available.
Vehicle owners can check if their car is affected by visiting NHTSA.gov/recalls (starting November 14) and entering their vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate. They can also contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 for more information.
This recall comes after BMW’s previous recall of 1.5 million vehicles last year for brake system issues, adding to the company’s quality challenges.
