Photo: Lennart Preiss / Getty Images News / Getty Images
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a recall affecting nearly 200,000 BMW vehicles due to a potential fire risk. Owners of the affected models, which include the 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2020-2022 BMW X3 and X4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, 2021-2022 BMW 430i and 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i, are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until repairs are made.
The recall also includes approximately 1,469 Toyota Supra vehicles manufactured by BMW. The issue stems from the engine starter relay, which may corrode, leading to overheating and a potential short circuit that could cause a fire. According to the NHTSA, BMW will conduct a phased recall due to parts availability. Interim notification letters will be mailed to owners on November 14, with a second notice following when remedy parts are available.
Owners can check if their vehicle is affected by visiting the NHTSA website and entering their vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate number starting November 14. They can also contact BMW customer service at 800-525-7417 for more information. CNN reported that BMW studied 10 vehicles that caught fire, but no injuries or accidents have been reported.
This recall is not the first for BMW regarding fire risks. In 2018, the company faced similar issues and was fined $10 million by the South Korean government after 50 BMWs caught fire in one year. The NHTSA encourages vehicle owners to download its SaferCar app to stay informed on current recalls.