BMW has issued an urgent global recall over a potential fire risk affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles—the latest hammer strike against Germany’s once-dominant car industry. The Munich-based manufacturer confirmed on Wednesday that a “mid six-figure” number of cars worldwide are being recalled after internal product inspections and customer complaints uncovered a defect linked to the starter motor.
Media reports suggest the total stands at about 575,000 vehicles across multiple model lines. At the heart of the problem is the starter’s magnetic switch.
A BMW spokesman said: “After a high number of start cycles, increased wear and tear can develop inside the component.”
The first sign for drivers may be deceptively ordinary: the engine becomes difficult to start—or fails to start altogether.
But the worst-case scenario is far more serious. The company warned that the defect can generate excessive heat and, in extreme cases, pose a fire risk in the vehicle.
A spokesman for ADAC, Germany’s equivalent of the AA, warned: “Metal abrasion within the magnetic switch could trigger a short circuit, leading to overheating at the starter—potentially even while the car is being driven.”
The recall spans a wide range of BMW’s core models, including the 2 Series Coupe, 3 Series (Saloon and Touring), 4 Series (Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe), 5 Series (Saloon and Touring), 6 Series Gran Turismo, 7 Series, X3, X4, X5, X6 and the Z4. The mechanically related Toyota Supra is also implicated due to shared BMW hardware.
BMW’s remedy is to replace the starter motor, with some cases also requiring a new battery. In Germany, affected drivers have been advised not to leave their vehicles running unattended after starting. Owners are being urged to check their vehicle identification number (VIN) against official recall databases and book a dealer appointment if necessary.
The move follows closely on the heels of another recall in the United States, where BMW of North America recently pulled 87,394 vehicles over a similar issue involving starter overheating and fire risk. While it has not been formally confirmed that the campaigns are linked, the overlap in affected models and fault descriptions is striking.
The latest recall adds to mounting pressure on Germany’s automotive heavyweights, which have long been regarded as untouchable symbols of engineering excellence.
In recent years, the industry has been battered by emissions scandals, software failures, battery fire risks in electric models and intensifying global competition—particularly from Chinese manufacturers pushing aggressively into Europe’s premium market.
For BMW, the recall risks denting its reputation for reliability at a critical moment. Carmakers are already grappling with slowing demand in China, faltering EV sales growth in Europe and rising production costs.
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