Urgent Fire Risk: BMW Recalls Nearly 200,000 Cars, Owners Told to Park Outside
Washington D.C. – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has warned owners of nearly 200,000 BMW and Toyota Supra vehicles to park them outdoors and away from structures due to a severe fire risk. The massive recall, covering 196,355 cars, stems from a defect in the engine starter relay that can corrode and short-circuit. This defect is particularly alarming because the fire risk exists even when the car is parked and the engine is off.
The Cause: Water Corrosion in the Starter
The issue lies in the engine starter relay, which may corrode when exposed to moisture. This corrosion can interfere with the car’s electrical connection, potentially causing the relay to overheat or short-circuit. The recall affects models built from early 2018 through late 2021 and primarily impacts cars equipped with the B48 four-cylinder engine. Though no crashes have been reported, BMW has studied at least 10 thermal incidents linked to this defect.
Which Models Are at Risk?
The recall is extensive, covering a wide range of BMW’s core models. The largest numbers of affected vehicles are the 3 Series (approximately 80,000 units) and the X3 (around 71,000 units). The recall also includes the Toyota GR Supra, which shares the same engine and componentry with the BMW Z4.
Here is a list of the models and years affected:
| Make | Model | Model Years Affected | Approximate Units Affected |
| BMW | 330i | 2019–2021 | 80,318 |
| BMW | X3 | 2020–2022 | 70,887 |
| BMW | 530i | 2020–2022 | 22,804 |
| BMW | X4 | 2020–2022 | 6,716 |
| BMW | Z4 | 2019–2022 | 4,539 |
| Toyota | Supra | 2020–2022 | 1,469 |
The Remedy: Free Replacement by Dealers
BMW dealers will replace the defective engine starter relay with a redesigned unit completely free of charge. NHTSA has already been notified of the voluntary recall. Interim owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed starting November 14, 2025, with a second notice to follow once replacement parts are fully available. Owners should use the NHTSA website to check their VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) after November 14 to confirm if their vehicle is included.
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