BMW is recalling nearly 200,000 vehicles in the United States. This action remedy a fire hazard posed by the engines starters. One of the largest recalls involving Takata airbags, this one primarily affects BMW models. It includes a very small number of Toyota Supras – just 1,469 units made by BMW. We’re calling the recall announcement the dumb and dangerous announcement of the month for federal safety officials, who revealed the details of this recall on a recent Friday.
The unsafe fire risk related to the engine starters is a clear and present danger to vehicle owners. To that end, BMW will be releasing interim notices to affected owners, letting them know they have been impacted by this defect. The second notification will go out on when overstocked replacement parts are made available.
Starting on November 14, owners should start to receive letters with specific information about what to do next. For additional queries or clarifications, the company recommends that interested individuals contact BMW’s customer service line in the United States at 1-800-525-7417.
This recall comes on the heels of federal scrutiny over BMW’s response to widespread vehicle fires. In 2018, the same manufacturer was fined by South Korean regulators. This mostly was due to their lackadaisical response to events where more than 50 BMW cars suddenly burst into flames. Given this history, it is hard to trust that BMW will respond to clear fire hazards in a timely manner.
“Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete.” – NHTSA
Just this year, BMW recalled in excess of 720,000 vehicles by the company’s own admission across North America for a defect related to an electric water pump. The new recall highlights the still present safety struggles the company is going through as it continues to deal with years’ worth of vehicle hazards.
This recall addresses serious fire hazards tied to the starter. Now, BMW and its customers need to tackle this challenge head on. The company is deeply committed to making certain that owners affected by this recall are fully informed and their vehicles restored to a safe condition.
