BMW Warns of Hybrid Fire Risk, Say Park Outside

BMW is recalling more than 29,000 plug-in hybrid sedans over possible fires.

A defective engine starter can corrode, short-circuit and catch fire, the automaker recently told federal regulators. Even when cars are parked and turned off. The company is urging owners to park their vehicles outside and away from buildings until repairs are completed. 

The move comes less than a year after BMW called back some 200,000 cars over the same problem. The latest recall covers four plug-in hybrid models:

• 2018–2020 BMW 530e iPerformance
• 2016–2018 BMW 330e iPerformance
• 2018–2020 BMW 530e xDrive 
• 2017–2019 BMW 740Le xDrive

Water can reach the electrical relay inside the engine starter and cause corrosion over time, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety report. That corrosion can interfere with the electrical connection and prevent the engine from starting. BMW says it is not aware of any accidents or injuries connected to the defect. 

The automaker plans to notify owners of recalled vehicles by August 28. It will ask owners to bring their cars to authorized service providers for inspection and repair, replacing defective engine starters. “Owners who have had this remedy performed at their own expense prior to the recall notification may be eligible for reimbursement,” BMW said in the recall report.

BMW drivers can also check the NHTSA website to see if their cars are included in the recall.

Lemon Law Rights for BMW Drivers

Major carmakers call back millions of vehicles every single year, citing a wide range of defects that put everyone on the road at risk. These recalls are typically announced long after cars have left factory floors, sold to unsuspecting buyers.

The BMW recall is the latest example of serious fire risks that have been exposed in plug-in vehicles. Millions of hybrid and fully electric cars have been called back because of battery defects that pose fire hazards. But batteries are not the only problem: the BMW problem is a separate defect in engine starters.

BMW owners and lessors in California have some important rights and protections when it comes to malfunctioning and defective vehicles. Namely, you do not need to wait around for a recall to get your cars fixed in certain situations.

The California lemon law requires carmakers to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces 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. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California 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 a California lemon law attorney.