BMW is recalling more than 145,000 vehicles in the United States due to a defect in the starter motor that poses a fire risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made the announcement, following a previous recall of nearly 200,000 vehicles for a similar issue.
According to the NHTSA, the engine protection material near an overheated starter motor may catch fire. The defect arises when the starter motor experiences repeated electrical overloads, leading it to overheat. If this occurs, drivers may notice smoke or smell burning while operating or exiting their vehicles.
The recall impacts certain models from the 2019 to 2025 production years, specifically the 2020 340i, 2020 X6, the 2020-2025 840i, 2020-2022 740Li, and the 2019-2020 X7 and X5. BMW intends to replace the faulty engine starters at no cost to the owners. A BMW spokesperson confirmed that the company is accelerating shipments of replacement parts, with deliveries expected to begin by the end of this month.
Owners of affected vehicles will receive notification letters by November 17, 2025, informing them of the necessary repairs. Meanwhile, vehicle owners can reach out to BMW customer service or search for their Vehicle Identification Numbers on the NHTSA website starting on the notification mailing date. The NHTSA has stated that, to date, there have been no reported accidents or injuries linked to this defect.
As a precaution, owners have been advised to park their vehicles outdoors, as the fire risk persists even when the vehicles are not in use. This proactive approach aims to ensure the safety of BMW drivers and reduce potential hazards. The swift action taken by BMW and the NHTSA reflects a commitment to address safety concerns effectively.