Nearly 200,000 vehicle owners are being told to park their vehicles outside after a nationwide recall of BMWs due to the risk of fire. While the temporary solution is a major inconvenience, owners must wait until Nov. 14 for more details on repairs.
A recall notice warns that the passenger vehicles manufactured primarily between 2019 and 2022 could short circuit and catch fire. The recall also affects owners of the Toyota Supra, which is manufactured by BMW.
“Owners should park outside and away from buildings and other vehicles until they either confirm their vehicle is not subject to the recall or have their vehicle remedied,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a news release announcing the recall.
The problem appears to be with the engine starter and applies to cars that are in motion and those that are not. The engine starter relay in the recalled vehicles may corrode, causing it to overheat and short circuit, which could cause a fire.
No injuries or accidents have been reported; a study by BMW appears to have prompted the recall.
The repairs will be phased in, subject to the availability of parts.
Letters will not be sent to owners of affected vehicles until Nov. 14.
BMW models with fire risk
- 2019-2022 Z4
- 2019-2021 330I
- 2020-2022 X3
- 2020-2022 X4
- 2020-2022 530I
- 2021-2022 430I standard and convertible
- 2022 230I
- 2020-2022 Toyota Supra vehicles manufactured by BMW
The vehicle identification numbers for affected vehicles will be searchable starting Nov. 14. Starting on that date, owners may visit NHTSA.gov/recalls and enter their license plate number or 17-digit VIN to see if their vehicle is under recall, or call NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at (888) 327-4236.
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Crystal Graham
