Last year, BMW recalled more than one million cars due to a starter fault that could, in rare instances, cause a fire. Now, another 575,000 cars have been added.
According to report in German publication kfz-betrieb, BMWs with a starter relay manufactured between July 2020 and July 2022 are the cars potentially impacted by this recall. Now, it’s not a blanket recall for all cars from that period, but rather one that depends on the VIN. That said, it impacts nearly every model series, including the 2 Series coupe, 3 Series sedan and touring, 4 Series coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe, 5 Series sedan and touring, 6 Series Gran Turismo, 7 Series, X3, X4, X5, X6 and Z4. It even impacts the Toyota Supra, which is nearly mechanically identical to the Z4.
So, if you have an 8 Series, 2 Series Gran Coupe, X1, X2, or X7, it sounds like you can breathe easy.
Per a BMW NA spokesperson, approximately 87,000 of the 575,000 impacted cars are in the U.S. The recall is due to wear in the starter solenoid after a number of starts. That can create a short circuit which can lead to fire. BMW recommends that the cars are not left running unattended, particularly after a remote start.
BMW will contact owners of the impacted vehicles to have them repaired, a job that should take about two hours of labor.