BMW recalls hundreds of thousands of cars worldwide due to fire risk: which models are affected
13 February 04:07
German carmaker BMW has announced a large-scale service campaign, under which it will recall hundreds of thousands of cars worldwide due to a fire risk. The reason for this is a technical malfunction in the engine start system, which can lead to a short circuit and overheating of the starter. This was reported by the German publication Handelsblatt, citing a statement from the manufacturer, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
How many cars will BMW recall?
According to German media reports, a total of around 575,000 cars worldwide could be affected by the recall. However, the company itself has not specified the exact global number of cars or the total cost of the service campaign.
In particular, BMW will recall 28,582 cars in Germany manufactured between July 2020 and July 2022.
What is the danger: possible risk of fire
The reason for the recall was excessive wear of the starter solenoid, which can occur after prolonged use of the car.
BMW explained that this defect could cause:
- difficulty starting the engine;
- complete inability to start;
- short circuit;
- starter overheating;
- risk of vehicle fire.
In the worst case, the vehicle may catch fire while driving or after the engine has been turned off. Drivers may notice the smell of smoke or signs of overheating.
The company recommends that car owners do not leave the car with the engine running unattended to reduce the risk of fire.
Which BMW models are affected by the recall
The service campaign covers a wide range of popular BMW models, including:
- BMW 2 Series Coupe
- BMW 3 Series
- BMW 4 Series
- BMW 5 Series
- BMW 7 Series
- BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo
- BMW X4
- BMW X5
- BMW X6
- BMW Z4
The recall affects vehicles manufactured between July 2020 and July 2022, as well as vehicles in which a defective starter motor may have been installed during repairs.
This is not the first large-scale recall by BMW
This is not the first such campaign by the German manufacturer. In September 2025, BMW recalled hundreds of thousands of cars manufactured between 2015 and 2021 due to a defect in the starting system caused by corrosion from water ingress.
However, the current problem is of a different nature — it is related to physical wear and tear of the component, which increases the risk of ignition while the engine is running.
What BMW owners should do
The company assures that all owners of cars affected by the recall will receive appropriate notifications. As part of the service campaign, defective components will be checked and replaced free of charge.
Experts recommend that BMW owners check their car’s VIN code on the manufacturer’s official website or contact an official dealer to find out if their car is subject to recall.
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