BMW Recalls Nearly 88,000 Vehicles in the U.S. Due to Starter Overheating Fire Risk

BMW of North America has announced a new safety recall in the United States involving 87,394 vehicles after identifying a potential fire risk linked to the engine starter. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), excessive heat buildup in the starter—caused by internal wear—could, in rare situations, result in a thermal incident or fire. The recall is registered as NHTSA Campaign No. 26V056, based on BMW’s formal submission dated January 30, 2026.

The recall affects a broad range of BMW models sold in recent years and also includes the 2021–2023 Toyota Supra, which is manufactured by BMW and sold through Toyota dealerships. The full list of affected vehicles includes:

• 2021–2023 Toyota Supra

• 2022–2023 BMW 2 Series Coupe

• 2021–2024 BMW 5 Series (530i, 530i xDrive)

• 2021–2022 BMW Z4 sDrive30i

• 2022–2024 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i)

• 2021–2024 BMW 4 Series Convertible (including xDrive)

• 2021–2023 BMW 4 Series Coupe (including xDrive)

• 2021–2024 BMW 3 Series (330i, 330i xDrive)

• 2021–2023 BMW X4 xDrive30i and 2021–2024 BMW X3 (sDrive30i, xDrive30i)

In its defect report, BMW explains that abnormal wear of an internal starter component can interfere with normal operation. In some cases, the first symptom may be a failure to start the vehicle. More critically, regulators note that under extreme conditions, the overheating starter could lead to a fire either during engine startup or while the vehicle is running.

Documents filed with NHTSA outline how the issue progressed from isolated field complaints to a full recall. BMW says it launched an internal engineering investigation in September 2025 after reports surfaced of starters showing signs of thermal damage. These incidents were recorded between October 2024 and March 2025 and involved, among others, 2022 3 Series and 2023 4 Series vehicles.

BMW engineers then conducted durability bench tests simulating repeated engine starts, along with detailed inspections of returned parts and reviews of production and service records. By late November and early December, investigators identified a buildup of metallic debris inside the starter’s electrical relay chamber. This debris, linked to increased friction, was determined to be a key factor contributing to overheating.

What BMW Will Do

The remedy involves replacing the engine starter entirely. BMW dealers will perform the repair free of charge. The automaker has confirmed that owner notification letters will be mailed starting March 24, 2026. On the same date, affected vehicles should become searchable by VIN on the NHTSA website.

Owners are encouraged to check their vehicle identification numbers once the database is updated. For additional information, BMW customers can contact BMW of North America at 1-800-525-7417. Owners of affected Toyota Supra models can reach Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.