2025 BMW recall news : In a wide-reaching recall announced in late September 2025, BMW and Toyota have jointly warned owners of nearly 200,000 vehicles in the United States about a potentially serious fire risk linked to the engine starter relay. This safety recall affects select models from 2019 to 2022, including popular BMW sedans and SUVs as well as the Toyota Supra, which shares critical components with BMW models.
What Is the Recall About?
The recall centers on a defect in the engine starter relay component manufactured by Valeo, which may allow water to enter and cause corrosion. Over time, this corrosion can lead to overheating and short circuits that increase the risk of fire, whether the car is parked or in motion. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has urged owners to park their vehicles outside, away from buildings or other cars, until the issue is remedied to minimize fire hazards.
BMW has investigated multiple incidents where affected vehicles caught fire, though no injuries or accidents have been reported so far. To address this, BMW dealerships will provide a free replacement of the starter with an improved part as soon as the supply chain permits, with owner notifications scheduled to start on November 14, 2025.
Affected Models
The recall impacts approximately 196,355 BMW vehicles across several model years and types, as well as about 1,469 Toyota Supra cars produced between 2020 and 2022. The specific affected models include:
- BMW 3-Series (2019-2021 330i)
- BMW Z4 (2019-2022)
- BMW X3 (2020-2022)
- BMW X4 (2020-2022)
- BMW 5-Series (2020-2022 530i)
- BMW 4-Series (2021-2022 430i standard and convertible)
- BMW 2-Series (2022 230i)
- Toyota Supra 3.0 (2020-2022)
The recall emphasizes the shared technology and manufacturing collaboration between BMW and Toyota, as the Supra uses BMW’s B58 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, the same engine linked to the faulty starter component in these BMW models.
What Owners Should Do
- Vehicle owners impacted by this recall should immediately check if their
- vehicles are affected by visiting the NHTSA website or contacting
- BMW customer service. Owners are strongly advised not to park their vehicles
- inside garages or near any structures until the starter
- relay replacement is completed to reduce the fire risk.
BMW has committed to replacing the faulty starter relay free of charge once replacement parts become available. The phased recall approach means some owners will receive notifications and repairs earlier than others, depending on the supply chain status.
Background and Previous Issues
- This recall comes after BMW faced a similar fire-related recall in 2018, when over
- 172,000 vehicles were called back due to electric water pump malfunctions
- resulting in fire hazards. That incident led to a significant penalty in South Korea
- where it was found BMW had delayed addressing the problem.
- The current recall shows BMW and Toyota’s dedication to proactive
- safety measures by alerting owners early and offering free repairs
- to prevent potential accidents or damage from engine fires.
- The joint recall of Toyota Supra and multiple BMW models is a crucial safety step
- addressing engine fire risks linked to starter relay corrosion. BMW and Toyota
- owners of the affected models should verify their vehicle status via
- NHTSA and follow all safety recommendations, including parking outdoors
- away from buildings. Prompt replacement of the starter relay by
- authorized dealerships will ensure safety and peace of mind.
