Fire hazard: BMW recalls nearly 30,000 hybrids
BMW has announced the recall of nearly 30,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles due to a fire risk. Owners are advised to park their cars outside, away from buildings, until repairs are completed. This campaign is related to a previous recall that affected 196,355 vehicles.
Reason for recall: starter relay corrosion
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the problem lies in the engine starter relay, which can be subject to corrosion. This leads to overheating of the relay and a short circuit. The situation is so serious that owners are advised to keep vehicles away from buildings until repairs are carried out.
Which models are affected by the recall
The problem affects several older plug-in hybrids, including:
How water causes the malfunction
The recall report states that water can enter the electric starter relay, causing corrosion. This leads to engine starting problems, as well as short circuits and overheating. Most dangerously, “in an extreme case, it can cause a thermal event while the vehicle is being driven or when it is parked with the ignition off.”
Link to previous recalls
This issue is related to a previous recall in 2025 that affected 196,355 vehicles, some of which caught fire. That campaign covered various models but not plug-in hybrids. After the first recall, BMW continued its investigation and monitoring of the situation. During this process, several incidents were recorded and approximately 150 starters from different vehicles were examined. The report does not disclose details, but the results prompted the automaker to carry out a voluntary recall.
How the problem will be resolved
To fix the malfunction, dealer technicians will replace the starter with a new one featuring an improved design. Notifications to owners are planned to be sent at the end of August, so owners will likely have to park their cars outside for some time yet.
This recall serves as another reminder that even premium brands face serious safety issues. Although BMW is responding promptly to the situation, it is worth noting that the starter relay corrosion problem occurs due to water ingress, which may indicate design flaws in the sealing of the unit. Owners of affected models should take the manufacturer’s recommendations seriously and not neglect parking outdoors, since the risk of fire exists even when the vehicle is turned off. Furthermore, this case highlights the importance of long-term investigations after initial recalls, as the problem may turn out to be broader than initially anticipated.