BMW Alert: Hundreds of Thousands of Vehicles Recalled Due to Major Fire Risk

Starter system failure: BMW announces massive recall campaign for models produced between 2020 and 2022

Bucharest, February 12, 2026 – Bavarian car giant BMW has launched a large-scale global service recall campaign, targeting hundreds of thousands of cars produced in a critical two-year period. The decision comes after the identification of a technical fault in the starting system that, in extreme cases, can lead to the vehicle self-igniting.

Fault: "Tired" solenoid that can ignite the engine

The problem centers on the solenoid (magnetic switch) of the electric motor. According to BMW engineers, this component can suffer excessive wear due to intensive use and a high number of start-up cycles.

This degradation not only causes difficulty in starting the engine, but can also trigger an electrical short circuit. In the worst-case scenario, the short circuit leads to severe localized overheating of the starter, which can cause a fire while the vehicle is running. For this reason, BMW has issued an unusual official recommendation: owners are advised not to leave their cars unattended when the engine is running, including in the case of remote start functions.

Target models: From the 2 Series to the X-range SUVs

The recall campaign is one of the most extensive in recent years and targets a wide range of models produced between July 2020 and July 2022. The list includes:

• Sedans and Coupes: 2 Series Coupe, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series and the flagship 7 Series.
• SUVs: The popular X4, X5 and X6 models.
• Other models: 6 Series Gran Turismo and Z4 roadster.

The risk also extends to vehicles that received repairs during this period and were fitted with replacement electric motors from the problematic batches.

Impact in Romania: Thousands of homeowners targeted

Although BMW Group has not yet published an exact breakdown of affected units for each European market, data from recent similar campaigns provides a clear picture of the extent of the impact in Romania.

Globally, it is estimated that approximately 575,000 units are affected. In Germany, the official figure is 28,582 vehicles. For the Romanian market, automotive industry sources and previous ANPC information suggest that the number of vehicles that could be affected by problems with the starting system amounts to almost 9,000 units.

This figure places Romania among the European markets with significant exposure, given the popularity of the 3 Series and X5 models among local buyers, both in the new and used car markets (where cars from the 2020-2022 period are now highly traded).

What should BMW owners in Romania do?

The BMW Romania representative office stated that all customers whose vehicles are identified in the database as affected will be contacted to schedule a service visit. The repair, which consists of replacing or updating the starting system components, is completely free of charge and takes, on average, a few hours.

Until receiving the official notification, Romanian drivers can check for themselves whether their car is subject to the recall:

1. Access the "Service Recalls" section on the official BMW Romania website.
2. Enter the 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN), available on the vehicle registration plate or at the base of the windshield.
3. If your vehicle appears to be affected, contact your nearest authorized service partner.

Until the defect is fixed, experts recommend maximum vigilance: any smell of smoke or repeated difficulty starting should be an immediate alarm signal for owners.

Responsibility and Prevention: Safety beyond the Brand

This massive recall campaign highlights an uncomfortable reality for the modern automotive industry: as vehicles become more technologically complex, vulnerabilities can arise in even the most basic components, such as the ignition system. For BMW, a brand whose identity is built on precision and engineering excellence, such incidents represent a major test of trust with its customers.

Although the risk of fire may seem alarming, the manufacturer's proactive reaction is essential to prevent tragedies. In a market like Romania, where the luxury car fleet is constantly expanding, the responsibility does not only lie with the manufacturer, but also with the owners. Ignoring a recall notice is not only administrative negligence, but an assumed risk for your own safety and that of other road users.

Finally, a lesson in vigilance remains: regardless of the prestige of the brand on the hood, proper maintenance and constant checking of safety systems remain the real guarantees of every trip. If you own a model produced in the targeted range, a short trip to the service could make the difference between a peaceful journey and a catastrophic event.