BMW Recalls Over 29,000 Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles Due to Fire Risk

BMW of North America, LLC is initiating a safety recall for approximately 29,119 of its plug-in hybrid vehicles due to a potential fire hazard stemming from a faulty engine starter. According to the manufacturer’s submission to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), water can infiltrate the starter’s electrical relay, leading to corrosion. This corrosion can compromise the electrical connection, hindering the engine’s ability to start. In more severe instances, this internal corrosion could result in a short circuit, causing the starter to overheat. This overheating poses a risk of a thermal event, which could occur while the vehicle is in operation or when it is parked with the ignition off.

The recall encompasses four specific plug-in hybrid models: the 2018-2020 BMW 530e xDrive, the 2017-2019 BMW 740Le xDrive, the 2018-2020 BMW 530e iPerformance, and the 2016-2018 BMW 330e iPerformance. The number of potentially affected vehicles for each model are as follows: 5,803 units of the 530e xDrive, 1,058 units of the 740Le xDrive, 14,406 units of the 530e iPerformance, and 7,852 units of the 330e iPerformance. The production dates for these vehicles range from March 14, 2016, to June 18, 2020. The defect is attributed to an engine starter component manufactured by VALEO, a Tier 1 supplier based in France. While the estimated percentage of involved vehicles with the defect is noted as very low, the recall is being issued to address the potential safety risk.

BMW has not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue. However, as a precautionary measure, owners of the affected vehicles are strongly advised to park their cars outdoors and away from any structures until the recall remedy has been completed. The remedy will involve replacing the engine starter with a component that has a different design. Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to bring their vehicles to an authorized BMW dealer for the free repair. The remedy is expected to begin on August 28, 2026. Vehicle identification numbers (VINs) will be searchable on the NHTSA website starting on the same date to help owners determine if their vehicle is part of the recall. Owners who have already paid for the replacement of the engine starter prior to the recall notification may be eligible for reimbursement, in accordance with BMW Group’s reimbursement plan.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from BMW of North America, LLC.

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