Westwood, NJ – September 4, 2026 – BMW (OTCMKTS:BMWYY) is recalling 29,119 plug-in hybrids that may catch fire while driving or parked. This defect ups the chances of a crash, injury or property damage.
The following models are affected:
- 2016 – 2018 BMW 330e iPerformance
- 2018 – 2020 BMW 530e iPerformance
- 2018 – 2020 BMW 530e xDrive iPerformance
- 2017 – 2019 BMW 740Le xDrive iPerformance
This is an expansion of a similar recall from October 2025.
Recall summary
A starter motor cranks the engine when the driver presses the Start button. In the affected vehicles, moisture may get into the starter and corrode its internal components, degrading its performance or causing electrical short circuits.
Recall risks
A shorted-out starter may overheat and burst into flames, setting the vehicle on fire. This would significantly increase the risk of a crash and injury.
Safety tips
You can learn more about the dangers of a vehicle fire and find safety tips in this article.
In this particular instance, owners are also advised to park “outside and away from structures” until the repair is complete.
Previous BMW starter motor recall
BMW already recalled nearly 200,000 cars and SUVs in October 2025 to for the same issue, as reported. Later analysis, however, showed that the problem was more widespread than originally thought, leading to the current recall.
Other BMW recalls
In February 2026, BMW recalled more than 87,000 cars and SUVs over the risk of fire also posed by a faulty starter. However, that recall was caused by mechanical wear not a short.
The repair
The dealers will replace the starter motor free of charge.
Notifications to the owners will be mailed by August 28, 2026.
Is your vehicle a part of this recall?
Over 29,000 hybrids are affected by this BMW starter motor fire recall. To do a BMW recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
