BMW recalls nearly 200,000 U.S. vehicles over fire risk
Recall spans multiple BMW models and the Toyota Supra; owners urged to park outside until repairs are completed; parts will be replaced at no cost
Federal regulators on Friday announced a recall by BMW of 196,355 U.S. vehicles due to a potential fire risk from corrosion in a starter component, the latest in a year marked by a string of safety notices for the luxury automaker.
The recall covers multiple models across BMW’s lineup and includes the Toyota Supra, which uses an engine jointly produced with BMW. The affected models include the 2019-2021 3-Series sedan; the 2019-2022 Z4 roadster; the 2020-2022 5-Series sedan; the 2020-2022 X3 and X4 SUVs; the 2021-2022 4-Series coupe and convertible; and the 2022 2-Series coupe. Toyota Supra models from 2020-2022 are included because the Supra uses a BMW-sourced engine built at a plant in Austria.
Specifically, the safety bulletin cites a starter motor component that can corrode, potentially causing a short circuit and ignition source. Regulators advised owners to park their vehicles outside and away from buildings until repairs are completed. BMW said it will mail recall notices to affected owners on November 14 and will replace the faulty parts free of charge.
This recall is BMW’s 12th of the year, bringing the company’s total to about 316,463 vehicles recalled so far in 2025.
The action adds to a broader safety-recall trend among major automakers, with Ford leading the pack this year with 116 recalls—the most the company has ever submitted in a calendar year. Other top-recalled brands include Chrysler, Volkswagen, General Motors and Honda, each with recalls ranging from the low dozens to the low hundreds for issues such as seat belts, engine components, battery problems and dashboard camera glitches. Many automakers have been rolling out over‑the‑air software updates as a means to address recall-related fixes without in‑person dealer visits; Ford has highlighted OTA updates as a more convenient option for customers.
The current recall underscores the ongoing pressure on both automakers and regulators to address safety issues promptly, given the volume of vehicles affected and the potential fire risk tied to a single component. For consumers, the primary steps are to verify whether a vehicle is covered, heed any parking guidance from regulators, and await a recall notice with instructions for free repair. Owners who believe their vehicle may be affected should contact their local BMW dealer or BMW’s customer service for guidance while they wait for the official notice and repair appointments.