BMW recalls over 740,000 vehicles worldwide over fire‑risk starter defect

BMW has launched a massive global recall affecting roughly 744,000 vehicles because a starter relay can corrode, overheat and potentially cause an engine‑compartment fire. In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued recall campaign 26V441 for 318,495 cars, covering 2021‑2026 models of the 2‑Series, 3‑Series, 4‑Series, 5‑Series, X3, X4, Z4 and the Toyota Supra. Dealers will replace the starter free of charge and owners have been advised to park the vehicle outside until repairs are completed.

In Europe, Germany’s Kraftfahrt‑Bundesamt (KBA) lists 744,234 affected cars, including about 42,300 in Germany and several thousand in Austria, spanning model years July 2020 to February 2026 across the 2‑ through 7‑Series, X‑Series SUVs, Z4, i3 and related models. No injuries or property damage have been reported so far. The recall is part of a broader trend of safety‑related recalls driven by increasingly complex electronic components.

Owners in all markets will receive notifications and can schedule a free starter‑replacement service. The recall underscores the automotive industry’s challenge in managing electronic‑component failures on a large scale.