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German carmaker BMW has recalled almost 25,000 vehicles in the UK due to a risk of failure in the starter motors. The carmaker has instructed owners not to leave their vehicles unattended with the engine running until the issue is resolved. The recall of vehicles came out after BMW engineers identified a manufacturing defect in the magnetic switch of the starter motor. According to the Munich-based manufacturer, the defect can damage the magnetic switch and can stop the engine from starting.

 

 

However, the more serious concern relates to the possibility of a short circuit. BMW stated that “a short circuit in the magnetic switch cannot be ruled out. Consequently, this may cause local overheating in the starter. In the worst case, this can lead to a vehicle fire.” It is reported that almost 24,732 vehicles in the UK are affected by this issue, followed by  an additional 197 cars in Ireland. German trade publication Kfz-Betrieb reported that BMW's spokesperson said that as many as 575,000 units might be affected due to this cause worldwide.

 

The affected vehicles were manufactured between July 2020 and July 2022, and represented 11 BMW models across several generations. These include:

 

·         BMW 2 Series Coupe (G42)

 

·         BMW 3 Series (G20, G21)

 

·         BMW 4 Series Coupe (G22, G23, G26)

 

·         BMW 5 Series (G30, G31)

 

·         BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo (G32)

 

·         BMW 7 Series (G11, G12)

 

·         BMW X3 and X4 (G01, G02)

 

·         BMW X5 and X6 (G05, G06)

 

·         BMW Z4 (G29)

 

BMW confirmed that it is working closely with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to obtain the contact details of affected vehicle owners. The company plans to send notification letters outlining the necessary steps to address the issue. Owners can also contact their local dealership directly or use the recall checker tool available on BMW’s official website.

 

As a part of safety meausre, BMW has recommended owners of these models to remain vigilant for warning signs such as overheating, including the smell of burning or visible smoke coming from the vehicle, either while driving or after parking. As a precautionary measure, the manufacturer has strongly recommended that owners not leave their vehicles unattended with the engine running. BMW has not reported any confirmed incidents related to the defect in the UK so far, but emphasised that the recall has been initiated as a preventive safety measure.