Park It Outside: BMW Issues Recall After Cars Catch Fire While Off

Bimmers and Supra Owners Should Take Notice
Some automotive recalls are so massive they’re hard to comprehend. Ford once had to fix more than 20 million transmissions in the 1980s, and the Takata airbag crisis eventually affected approximately 100 million cars worldwide.

BMW’s newest recall looks small next to those giants – just under 200,000 vehicles – but it still covers a surprising mix of models and even drags a Toyota into the picture. Filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this week, the recall affects nine different BMW models and the Toyota GR Supra, which shares key components with the BMW Z4, including the problematic part.

A Fire Risk Even When Parked
The trouble lies in the engine starter. According to BMW and its supplier, Valeo, water can seep into the starter’s electrical relay, causing corrosion. Corrosion can interfere with the connection required to start the car and, in some cases, create a short circuit that overheats the starter.

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The risk isn’t just when driving – fire could break out even if the car is parked and turned off. BMW engineers began investigating the issue in mid-2024 after several thermal incidents were reported in the field. Over the next year, they tore down parts, tested for water ingress, and re-checked old cases before deciding on September 16, 2025, to launch a voluntary recall. Per BMW, no crashes or injuries have been linked to the defect so far.

What Owners Should Do
The recall covers 196,355 cars built from early 2018 through late 2021. Big numbers come from the BMW 3 Series (approximately 80,000 units), the X3 (around 71,000 units), and the 5 Series (roughly 23,000 units). The BMW X4, Z4, several 4 Series variants (including the four-door Gran Coupe, a single 2 Series coupe, and the 2020–2022 Toyota GR Supra round out the list.

Owners will get a free replacement starter with a new design. Until then, BMW advises parking outside and away from buildings. Dealers were alerted on September 23, 2025, and owner letters began to be sent out on November 14, when VINs will also be added to NHTSA’s searchable database. Anyone who has already paid for similar repairs can request reimbursement.

It’s not on the scale of history’s biggest recalls, but this campaign serves as a reminder of how a single part – shared across platforms and even brands – can spark a fire risk years after the cars were rolled off the line.