BMW Recalls Hundreds of Thousands of Vehicles Over Fire Risk

German automaker BMW has launched a large-scale global recall campaign due to a potential short-circuit risk when starting the engine, Deutsche Welle (DW) reports.

According to the Bavarian manufacturer, 28,582 vehicles in Germany alone are affected. Earlier, industry publication kfz-Betrieb reported that as many as 575,000 cars worldwide could be subject to the recall. However, BMW has not officially confirmed the global figure.

The company stated that inspections revealed a possible short circuit in the starter relay during engine ignition. In the worst-case scenario, this defect could lead to a vehicle fire while the engine is running.

BMW representatives warned that drivers may notice smoke or a burning smell either while driving or after exiting the vehicle. As a precaution, owners are advised not to leave their cars unattended while the engine is on.

The recall concerns vehicles produced between July 2020 and July 2022 equipped with the affected starter relay. Models involved include certain versions of the BMW 2 Series Coupe, 3, 4 and 5 Series, the 6 Series Gran Turismo, as well as the BMW X4, X5, X6 and Z4.