BMW Recalls 575,000 Vehicles for Starter Motor Fire Risk

BMW has issued a global recall for approximately 575,000 vehicles due to a defect in starter motors that could lead to overheating and fire risks, affecting models produced between July 2020 and July 2022. The action includes more than 87,000 vehicles in the United States, about 25,000 in the United Kingdom and Ireland combined, and thousands in other markets such as Germany and the United Arab Emirates.

The problem involves excessive wear in the starter motor's magnetic switch or electromagnet, which can cause a buildup of metallic debris in the electrical relay chamber. This wear may prevent the engine from starting and, in rare cases, trigger a short circuit that results in localized overheating. Officials from BMW stated that such overheating could potentially cause a vehicle fire while driving or operating. The starter motors were supplied by Valeo, and the issue was identified through quality control checks following customer complaints and inspections of affected vehicles.

Investigations began last September after three BMWs caught fire: two 2022 3 Series models and one 2023 4 Series. A subsequent probe into a 2021 3 Series that also ignited revealed the same defect. BMW...