BMW is recalling 189 thousand 130 sedans due to the risk of water leaking into the starter relay and potentially causing a fire in the engine compartment. According to investigations by Germany’s Motor Vehicle Authority, the issue affects 3, 5 and 7 Series models manufactured between July 29, 2014, and November 12, 2020.
Water leakage can cause corrosion in the relay contacts and generate high temperatures. Difficulty starting the engine, a burning smell and electrical system warnings are among the possible signs, while authorized service centers will replace the entire starter motor free of charge.
Why it matters
The impact of the recall stems from the fact that the issue can not only make the vehicle difficult to start but also lead to high temperatures and the risk of fire in the engine compartment. This highlights the need for owners of 3, 5 and 7 Series sedans who notice the signs not to ignore electrical system warnings or a burning smell. Having the solution implemented free of charge at authorized service centers for vehicles manufactured within a specific date range eliminates the financial burden on users. However, the text does not provide information on whether the reported signs may be absent in some vehicles or how owners of vehicles covered by the recall will be contacted. The scope of the notification therefore remains an unresolved issue, particularly for vehicles showing no signs.
Background
BMW is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: over the past 90 days, we have published 3 news stories mentioning the name; the latest was dated September 4, 2026.