by Large-Scale Recall Due to Defective Starter
BMW has initiated a global recall covering up to 575,000 vehicles of various models worldwide, including over 87,000 in the USA. The reason is a discovered defect in the starter motors, which involves premature wear. This wear can cause the starter to disengage from the engine, preventing it from starting.
An even more serious related issue exists. As reported by BMW, a faulty starter motor can trigger a fire not only at the moment of engine start but even while the car is in motion.
The starter motor that caused the recall was supplied by Valeo, and the first signs of problems appeared as early as September of last year. BMW’s investigation began after three fire incidents: two 2022 3 Series cars and one 2023 4 Series model. These incidents prompted a deeper analysis of the component itself.
Investigation into the Cause of the Fire
A detailed analysis of the parts revealed an accumulation of metal particles in the electric relay chamber, caused by excessive abrasive wear. Last month, another 2021 3 Series car that also caught fire was examined, and it was found to have the same problem.
An official recall notice has already been issued. BMW has not yet published a detailed breakdown of the affected vehicles by market but confirmed that 87,394 vehicles in the United States will require starter motor replacements.
Which Models Are Affected by the Recall?
The recall covers a wide range of BMW models from the last few years of production, as well as the Toyota Supra, which uses BMW engines. The list of affected vehicles and their production periods is provided below.
Models being recalled:
- 2-Series Coupe 2022-2023 model years – produced from December 15, 2020, to July 13, 2022.
- 5-Series 2021-2024 model years – produced from June 24, 2021, to March 27, 2023.
- Z4 2021-2022 model years – produced from June 24, 2021, to August 29, 2022.
- 4-Series 2022-2024 model years – produced from July 1, 2021, to November 29, 2023.
- 4-Series Convertible 2021-2024 model years – produced from June 24, 2021, to December 4, 2023.
- 3-Series 2021-2024 model years – produced from November 26, 2020, to May 7, 2024.
- X4 2021-2023 model years – produced from December 14, 2020, to December 14, 2022.
- X3 2021-2024 model years – produced from December 14, 2020, to December 14, 2022.
- Toyota Supra 2021-2023 model years – produced from June 24, 2021, to September 1, 2022.
Manufacturer’s Further Actions
BMW states that the approximate percentage of vehicles involved in the recall that currently have the defective starter is “significantly lower” than 0.1%. Owners will receive recall notifications on March 24, 2026. Dealerships have been instructed to replace the starter motor free of charge.
This situation highlights the complexity of modern automobile manufacturing, where components from common suppliers can affect the safety of products from several brands simultaneously, as happened with the Toyota Supra. The scale of the recall, covering half a million cars, indicates the systemic nature of the problem, which was only identified after a series of incidents. For owners of the affected models, it is important to monitor official communications and contact a dealer for the free repair, even if no obvious symptoms have appeared yet, as the fire risk is critical.
