BMW recalls cars worldwide due to fire risk, also in Belgium
BMW is recalling hundreds of thousands of cars worldwide to repair a problem with the starter motor. In the worst case, the problem could lead to a fire, the German car manufacturer announced on Friday. In Belgium, this concerns a few thousand cars.
BMW has not disclosed the number of cars affected, but in Germany alone there are around 136,500 cars affected and more than 196,000 in the US.
The recall concerns cars manufactured between September 2015 and September 2021 in both European and Asian factories. The models affected are the 330i, Z4, 530i, X3, X4, 430i and 230i from certain years, according to the American regulator National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In Belgium, this concerns a few thousand cars, according to a BMW spokesperson. Owners will receive a letter. “No accidents have occurred worldwide yet. This is not a recall that means you can no longer drive your car.”
In the affected cars, water can get into the starter motor and cause corrosion. Under certain circumstances, this can prevent the engine from starting. But it can also lead to a short circuit and local overheating. In the worst case, there is a risk of fire.
According to BMW, problems can also arise when the vehicle is parked. Affected owners are strongly advised to park their vehicles in the open air only until they are repaired, and not in the vicinity of buildings.
BMW has not provided any information about the financial consequences. However, the starter motor in the affected cars will have to be replaced and some cars will also need a more powerful battery.
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