BMW Recalls 300,000 Cars Over Fire Risks

BMW is calling back more than 300,000 vehicles across a variety of model lines, citing a potential problem with engine starter components.  

The defect could cause the cars’ engines to fail or spark fires, BMW said in a recall notice. The company is warning owners not to drive the vehicles until they are fixed and to park them outside in the meantime.

“Due to unexpected wear on an internal component, the starter may not function properly,” BMW said in the recall notice, filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “In some cases, this could lead to a non-starting engine. In an extreme case, this could cause a thermal event or fire when starting the engine, or while the engine is running.”

This is at least the third recent BMW recall stemming from faulty engine starters. The company recalled some 39,000 hybrid sedans in early July over a similar problem. BMW called back some 200,000 cars for defective starters a year earlier, warning owners to park outside in both instances.

The bulk of the recall is 2021 to 2024 X3 sport utility vehicles. Other nameplates include:

• 3 Series (2023–2024)
• X4 (2021–2025)
• 5 Series (2021–2023)
• 2 Series Coupe (2022–2025)
• 4 Series Gran Coupe (2023–2024)
• 4 Series Convertible (2023–2024)
• 4 Series Coupe (2023–2024)
• Z4 (2022–2026)
• Toyota Supra (2023-2024)

A small number of Toyota Supras are included because they are built on a shared platform with the BMW Z4 and use BMW components, such as the engine starters that are being recalled.

BMW estimates that very few of the recalled cars - about 0.1% - actually have defective starters. It said it is casting a wide net with the recall to inspect all vehicles that could be at risk.

The automaker plans to notify owners of recalled vehicles by August 28. Owners can also check the NHTSA website to see if their cars are covered by the recall. BMW will ask owners to bring their cars to authorized service providers for inspection and possible starter replacement.

BMW Owners: Know Your Lemon Law Rights

The California lemon law gives BMW drivers across the Golden State some valuable rights and protections. Chief among them is that you do not need to wait for a recall to get a defective or malfunctioning car repaired.

The lemon law forces carmakers to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also requires the companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) covered vehicles that they are not able or flat-out refuse to fix. 

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in. That is one reason why it is important to consult an experienced California lemon law attorney, who will help you understand your rights and take action.

Talk with an Orange County Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, an Orange County lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an Orange County lemon law attorney.