BMW Issues Global Recall for Over 500,000 Vehicles Due to Engine Fire Risks

2026-02-12 companies

Munich, Thursday, 12 February 2026.
BMW recalls 575,000 vehicles globally, including Toyota Supras, as worn starter motors pose a fire risk. Owners are urged to avoid leaving running cars unattended.

Global Scope and Technical Analysis

German luxury automaker BMW (BMWYY) has confirmed a significant safety recall affecting approximately 575,000 vehicles worldwide due to a critical defect in the engine starter system [1][3]. While initial regulatory filings in the United States identified 87,394 affected units, the scope of the issue is global, encompassing a production window for starter relays manufactured between July 2020 and July 2022 [3][5]. The defect centers on the starter motor’s magnetic switch, which is prone to excessive wear following a high number of starting operations [1]. This mechanical degradation can lead to a short circuit and localized overheating, posing a fire hazard even in worst-case scenarios while the vehicle is being driven [7]. The United States market accounts for approximately 15.199% of the total affected volume [3][5].

Identified Risks and Operational Warnings

The technical failure is attributed to wear on an internal component within the starter motor, specifically the solenoid [2][6]. BMW indicates that this wear can make it difficult or impossible to start the engine, but the primary safety concern involves the potential for combustion [1][6]. In response to these risks, the automaker has issued specific operational advice to owners of the affected vehicles: drivers should not leave their cars unattended while the engine is running, a precaution that is particularly relevant for users of remote engine start features [3][7]. Despite the severity of the fire risk, officials have reported that no accidents or injuries have been linked to this specific defect as of early 2026 [5].

Affected Models and Industry Implications

The recall spans a wide array of the manufacturer’s lineup, impacting sedans, coupes, and SUVs. Affected models include the 2 Series Coupe, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, and 7 Series, alongside the X3, X4, X5, X6, and Z4 lines [3][6]. Notably, the recall extends to the Toyota Supra (2021-2023 model years), as the Japanese sports car shares its powertrain and engineering architecture with BMW [2][5]. The faulty starters were sourced from the supplier Valeo during the specific production period identified [8]. BMW has committed to replacing the starter motors—and in some instances, the vehicle batteries—free of charge, with the repair procedure estimated to take approximately two hours [3].

Financial Outlook and Consumer Timeline

From a financial perspective, BMW aims to reassure investors that this quality control issue will not severely impact the company’s bottom line. A spokesperson stated that the recall would have “little if any impact” on BMW’s earnings, a marked contrast to a 2024 incident involving faulty brakes from supplier Continental that cost the automaker hundreds of millions of euros [7]. For consumers, the timeline for resolution is set for the coming weeks; notification letters are scheduled to be mailed to owners of impacted vehicles starting March 24, 2026 [2]. Owners are encouraged to verify their vehicle’s status using their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) through official regulatory databases [2][3].

Sources

Automotive Industry Product Recall