BMW is recalling nearly 200,000 vehicles in the United States and the United Kingdom following reports of a fire risk linked to a defective starter relay. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the defect can cause the relay to corrode, overheat, and ultimately short circuit, posing a serious danger both when the car is parked and in motion.
The advisory urges owners to park their vehicles outdoors and away from buildings until repairs are carried out. Investigations were triggered after BMW examined ten cases of cars catching fire. No injuries or accidents have been reported so far, yet the scale of the recall reflects the potential severity of the defect.
The recall includes approximately 196,355 BMW models manufactured between 2019 and 2022, along with 1,469 Toyota Supra units produced under BMW’s assembly operations. Models impacted are the 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2020-2022 BMW X3 and X4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, 2021-2022 BMW 430i in both coupe and convertible versions, the 2022 BMW 230i, and the 2020-2022 Toyota Supra.
BMW dealerships will provide free replacements for the defective starter component. However, the rollout of repairs will occur in phases due to limited parts availability. Interim letters are set to reach vehicle owners beginning November 14, followed by a second notice when replacement parts are ready. Customers can verify if their car is affected by entering their Vehicle Identification Number or license plate on the NHTSA website.
This recall comes as a reminder of earlier controversies surrounding BMW’s handling of fire-related defects. In 2018, the South Korean government fined the company $10 million after 50 vehicles caught fire in a single year. Investigators at the time accused BMW of delaying action and attempting to minimize public awareness while nearly 172,000 cars were affected.
The recurrence of safety issues poses reputational and financial challenges for the German luxury automaker, especially in highly competitive global markets. While premium features, performance, and engineering excellence remain at the core of the brand’s identity, safety lapses such as this one threaten consumer trust and invite regulatory scrutiny.
For owners, the risk is immediate. Until the defect is remedied, the advice remains clear: park outdoors, remain vigilant, and await the official recall process. BMW’s response in addressing both the technical fix and customer concerns will play a critical role in restoring confidence after yet another fire-related setback.
Source: CNN, Foxbusiness e Nbcnews.