BMW Recalls 145,000 Cars and SUVs Over Starter Fire Risk

BMW has introduced a brand new recall affecting 145,102 automobiles in the USA as a result of a starter motor defect that might probably trigger overheating and, in uncommon instances, a fireplace. The recall was posted on the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) web site on September 25.

A Observe-As much as Final 12 months’s Recall

This newest motion comes only a week after BMW of North America recalled nearly 200,000 cars—together with some Toyota GR Supra fashions that share mechanicals with BMW—over a separate starter-related hearth danger. Whereas the 2 remembers share similarities, they stem from completely different points and contain completely different suppliers.

The earlier recall, issued in August 2024, said that starters have been vulnerable to water intrusion, probably resulting in quick circuits and overheating. That marketing campaign even included steerage for homeowners to park their automobiles outdoors as a precaution. In distinction, the brand new recall entails starters posing a considerably decrease hearth danger, with no suggestion for outside parking.

The Root of the Downside

In line with BMW, the defect happens if the starter fails to efficiently crank the engine. A number of restart makes an attempt can overload {the electrical} system inside the starter, inflicting it to overheat. If surrounding protecting supplies attain ignition temperatures, there’s a small danger of fireplace.

The recall documentation notes that some automobiles beforehand repaired beneath the 2024 marketing campaign are as soon as once more affected. At the moment, BMW tried to deal with the difficulty with a software program replace, however reviews of failures continued to floor in March 2025. Happily, BMW confirmed there have been no crashes, accidents, or fatalities linked to this defect—simply as with the sooner starter recall.

Fashions Impacted

The recall impacts a number of BMW fashions powered by the model’s inline-six engines, with the majority being giant SUVs. The total checklist of impacted automobiles consists of:

• 2019–2020 BMW X5 – 82,153 models
• 2019–2020 BMW X7 – 24,979 models
• 2020–2025 BMW 840i – 12,456 models
• 2020–2022 BMW 740Li – 11,893 models
• 2020 BMW 340i – 10,867 models
•  2020 BMW X6 – 2,754 models

The Repair

Not like final 12 months’s marketing campaign, which relied on a software program patch, BMW will now absolutely substitute the starter motor with a redesigned unit that eliminates the overheating danger. The restore will likely be carried out freed from cost. Sellers have been notified on September 25, 2025, and buyer notification letters are scheduled to be mailed on November 17. House owners can even test their car identification numbers on NHTSA.gov beginning the identical day. The recall is formally filed beneath NHTSA quantity 25V644.

What House owners Ought to Do

House owners of affected automobiles are inspired to contact BMW customer support at 1-800-525-7417 with any questions or to rearrange a service appointment. They could additionally contact NHTSA’s Car Security Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 for additional info.