BMW of North America’s president and CEO, Sebastian Mackensen, emphasized the company’s dedication to U.S. manufacturing amid the completion of a $1.7 billion plant expansion in South Carolina.
The automaker has initiated a recall affecting 29,119 plug-in hybrid sedans, including the 2018-2020 BMW 530e xDrive, 2018-2020 BMW 530e iPerformance, 2017-2019 BMW 740Le xDrive, and 2016-2018 BMW 330e iPerformance models. Federal regulators announced the recall due to a potential fire risk arising from a defect in the engine starter system.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that water infiltration in the engine starter’s electrical relay can cause corrosion over time. This issue may compromise the relay’s electrical connections, potentially leading to difficulty in starting the engine.
Corrosion within the starter relay could result in short circuits, which might lead to overheating of the starter—even when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is off. According to the NHTSA, this presents a fire hazard.
A short circuit in the starter relay can heighten the risk of a fire, as outlined in the recall report.
The recall follows two reported incidents: one in November involving a 2019 BMW 5 Series and another in May involving a 2017 BMW 3 Series. To date, no injuries or accidents have been reported in connection with this issue.
Vehicle owners are advised to park their cars outdoors and away from structures until the recall repair is finalized.
BMW will begin dispatching notification letters on August 28, informing owners of the required repair. The replacement of the affected starter will be performed free of charge. Owners who have already replaced the starter under previous campaigns may also qualify for reimbursement.