# BMW and Kia fire recalls expand globally > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kia-2027-telluride-suv-rollout > Updated: 2026-09-11T12:15:39.000Z. Sources: 48. Developments: 10. The Kia Telluride recall remains active, covering 462,869 U.S. SUVs from model years 2020–2024. The recall addresses a fire hazard linked to the front power-seat motor, which can overheat if the seat-slide knob or switch becomes misaligned. Following reports of seven seat-fire incidents and 11 melted motors, Kia is implementing a fix that adds an electronic fuse assembly. Owners have been advised to park vehicles outdoors until repairs are completed at no cost. BMW’s global starter-relay fire-risk campaigns continue to expand. In France, a massive recall has been issued for numerous models, including the Series 2 through 7, X3 through X6, and Z4 produced between July 2020 and February 2026. This issue involves the RSW22 starter motor, where increased abrasion of the magnetic contact can cause deposits in the relay, leading to starting failures or short circuits. In the United States, BMW has issued a voluntary safety recall for nearly 30,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles, specifically targeting 330e, 740Le, and 530e iPerformance models from 2016–2020. The NHTSA reports that a corroded or damaged engine starter relay may cause overheating. This follows a larger recall of approximately 200,000 non-hybrid vehicles. Additionally, a global recall of 189,130 vehicles has been initiated for 3, 5, and 7 Series models manufactured between 2014 and 2020. This defect involves insufficient protection against water ingress in the starter relay, where moisture causes corrosion and potential electrical shorts. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) is monitoring this under reference 16791R. BMW service centers will replace the entire starter motor free of charge. ## Claims - BMW is recalling 744,234 vehicles worldwide because deposits in the starter relay can cause a short circuit and fire. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The recall covers 13 model series: Series 2‑7, X3‑X7, Z4 and i3. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Affected vehicles were produced between 31 July 2020 and 26 February 2026. (corroborated by 7 sources) - BMW will replace the starter relay free of charge at authorised service centres. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Around 42,300 of the recalled vehicles are in Germany. (corroborated by 4 sources) - No injuries or material damage have been reported so far. (corroborated by 4 sources) - In the United States, roughly 318,000 BMW vehicles are subject to the recall. (single source) - BMW cancelled its participation in the Paris Motor Show scheduled for October 2026. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: BMW recalls nearly 190,000 vehicles due to fire risk BMW is recalling nearly 190,000 vehicles worldwide, including 3, 5, and 7 Series models, due to a starter defect that poses a fire risk from potential short circuits. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bmw-recalls-nearly-190000-vehicles-due-to-fire-risk ### 2026-09-02: BMW recalls 189,000 vehicles over potential fire risk BMW is recalling over 189,000 vehicles, including 3, 5, and 7 Series models produced between 2014 and 2020, due to a starter motor relay defect that could cause electrical shorts and fires. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bmw-recalls-189000-vehicles-over-potential-fire-risk ### 2026-08-11: BMW recalls nearly 30,000 plug-in hybrids over fire risk BMW is recalling nearly 30,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles in the US due to a fire risk caused by a faulty engine starter relay that may overheat or short circuit. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bmw-recalls-nearly-30000-plug-in-hybrids-over-fire-risk ### 2026-08-09: BMW recalls multiple vehicle models in France due to fire risk BMW is recalling multiple vehicle models in France due to a starter motor defect that poses a significant fire risk. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bmw-recalls-multiple-vehicle-models-in-france-due-to-fire-risk ### 2026-07-28: BMW recalls over 740,000 vehicles worldwide over fire risk BMW recalls 744,000 cars globally over a starter‑relay defect that may cause fires; 42,300 are in Germany and replacements will be provided at no cost. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bmw-recalls-over-740000-vehicles-worldwide-over-fire-risk ### 2026-07-25: BMW launches global recall of 744,000 vehicles over fire risk BMW recalls 744,000 cars worldwide over starter‑relay fire risk, covering 13 models built 2020‑2026; 42,300 in Germany, 318,000 in the US, free part replacement, no injuries reported. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bmw-recalls-744000-vehicles-over-fire-risk ### 2026-07-23: BMW recalls over 740,000 vehicles worldwide over fire‑risk starter defect BMW recalls about 744,000 cars worldwide, including 318,495 in the US, due to a starter relay that can overheat and cause fires; free repairs are being offered. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bmw-recalls-over-1-million-vehicles-worldwide-due-to-firerisk-starter-relay ### 2026-07-17: BMW Australia recalls over 10,000 vehicles due to fire risk BMW Australia recalls 10,559 cars from several series due to a faulty starter‑motor switch that may overheat and cause fires; owners should get a free replacement. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bmw-australia-recalls-over-10000-vehicles-due-to-fire-risk ### 2026-07-14: BMW recalls over 29,000 plug‑in hybrids in the US over fire risk, urges owners to park outside BMW is recalling 29,119 US plug‑in hybrids due to a starter‑relay fire risk, offering free repairs and urging owners to park the cars outside until fixed. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-vehicle-fire-recalls-expand-as-bmw-and-kia-issue-safety-alerts ### 2026-07-12: Kia expands recall of 463,000 Telluride SUVs over fire risk Kia recalled about 463,000 2020‑2024 Telluride SUVs in the US over fire risk from the front power‑seat motor, urging owners to park outdoors until dealers install a new electronic fuse fix. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kia-expands-recall-of-463000-telluride-suvs-over-fire-risk --- Cite as: BMW and Kia fire recalls expand globally. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kia-2027-telluride-suv-rollout