by Key Recall Points
Scale of the Problem
The phrase “start the engine” took on a new meaning this week when BMW announced a recall affecting hundreds of thousands of cars worldwide. In the United States, the problem concerns about 200,000 models, while in Germany, nearly 136,500. The cause is a starter malfunction that can lead to a fire. BMW has not disclosed the global number, but the actual figure is expected to be significantly higher, as the recall covers models produced between September 2015 and September 2021 in Europe, Asia, and other regions.
Due to a joint development program, nearly 1,500 Toyota owners are also part of this safety campaign, which recommends that drivers park outdoors away from buildings.
List of Affected Models
In the US, 194,886 BMW vehicles produced between 2019 and 2022 are at risk. This includes the small 2-Series coupes and compact 3-Series, the sporty 4-Series and midsize 5-Series, as well as the X3 and X4 SUVs. Since the Z4 is also on the list, 1,469 units of the closely related Toyota Supra have been added.
The common element for these variously sized and shaped models is the B58 engine – a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six unit. BMW discovered that water can reach the starter relay, which over time can lead to corrosion buildup.
Corrosion inside the Valeo-manufactured starter can affect the electrical connections, preventing the starter from operating and, in the worst case, causing a short circuit leading to a fire.
Detailed Model Table
| Brand | Model | Model Years |
| BMW | 230i | 2022 |
| BMW | 330i | 2019-21 |
| BMW | 430i | 2021-22 |
| BMW | 430i Convertible | 2021-22 |
| BMW | 530i | 2020-22 |
| BMW | X3 | 2020-22 |
| BMW | X4 | 2020-22 |
| BMW | Z4 | 2019-22 |
| Toyota | Supra 3.0 | 2020-22 |
Investigation of Causes
Although BMW dealers in the US reported several cases of starter-related issues, the company’s engineering teams took time to identify the root cause. An investigation last year on 3-Series and 5-Series models initially pointed to previous vehicle damage from accidents or poor repairs, but this theory was later dismissed when BMW moved to the idea that moisture ingress was the cause.
Toyota’s Involvement
For its part, Toyota states that it is unaware of any cases involving the Supra, which may be due to the small number of cars produced rather than quality characteristics associated with the Toyota brand. Nevertheless, the company is joining the recall.
Manufacturers will begin notifying owners about the need to replace starters from mid-November, and they will be recommended to park outdoors away from buildings until the replacement is completed.
This situation highlights the importance of cross-brand collaboration in modern automotive manufacturing, where technical issues can affect multiple manufacturers simultaneously. Safety measures, such as the recommendation to park outdoors, demonstrate the priority of customer safety even in the absence of direct incidents. Such recalls also indicate the complexity of diagnosing technical problems in modern cars with high-tech components.
