Owners of nearly 200,000 BMW vehicles are being urgently advised not to park their cars in garages or near structures because the vehicles pose a significant fire risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued this warning because the affected vehicles could short-circuit and catch fire while parked or in motion.
The specific warning from NHTSA advises owners: “Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete”.
Why Are BMWs Catching Fire? The Engine Starter Relay Issue
The fire risk is related to a problem with the engine starter relay. Approximately 196,355 BMW vehicles, mostly manufactured between 2019 and 2022, are being recalled. The federal agency stated that the engine starter relay may corrode, which can subsequently cause the relay to overheat and short-circuit, potentially leading to a fire.
BMW conducted a study on 10 vehicles that had caught fire, which prompted this recall, though the automaker reported no injuries or accidents related to these incidents.
Affected BMW and Toyota Supra Models
The recall encompasses approximately 196,355 BMW vehicles. It also includes approximately 1,469 Toyota Supra vehicles, as these models are manufactured by the German luxury brand.
The recalled models include:
• 2019-2022 BMW Z4
• 2019-2021 BMW 330i
• 2020-2022 BMW X3
• 2020-2022 BMW X4
• 2020-2022 BMW 530i
• 2021-2022 BMW 430i standard and convertible
• 2022 BMW 230i
• 2020-2022 Toyota Supra
What Should Owners Do Now?
BMW dealers are instructed to replace the starter free of charge. However, the recall process will be conducted in phases due to the availability of parts.
Key Dates and Actions for Owners:
1. Immediate Parking Action: Owners should park their vehicles outside and away from buildings and other vehicles until they confirm their vehicle is not subject to the recall or has been remedied.
2. Notification Letters: Interim letters detailing the recall schedule are scheduled to be mailed to owners on November 14. A second letter will follow to detail when the replacement parts become available.
3. Checking Your Vehicle: Beginning on November 14, owners can search their vehicle’s identification number (VIN) or license plate number on the NHTSA website (NHTSA.gov/recalls) to determine if their specific vehicle is affected.
4. Contact Information: Owners can call BMW directly for recall information at 1-800-525-7417. They can also contact NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.
As of the publishing of the sources, BMW did not immediately respond to CNN’s or NBC News’ requests for comment regarding the recall.
Historical Context of BMW Fire Issues
It is worth noting that this is not the first instance where the German luxury brand has encountered fire-related problems with its vehicles. In 2018, BMW was fined $10 million by the South Korean government after 50 BMWs caught fire in one year. An investigation revealed that BMW had attempted to “hide” the issue and delayed recalling 172,000 affected vehicles.
Furthermore, the German automaker recalled more than 1 million cars and SUVs in 2017 over similar issues, and that recall was expanded to include another 185,000 vehicles in 2019.”