MUNICH – BMW is recalling 337,000 vehicles worldwide, including 29,000 in Germany, due to a potential fire risk linked to the wiring harness of the dashboard. The recall affects five models – the 5 Series, i7, 7 Series, i5 and M5 – manufactured between June 9, 2022, and December 5, 2025, according to a notice published by Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).
The issue stems from a risk of short-circuiting and subsequent fire if the wiring is damaged during the replacement of the cabin filter. The KBA stated that no incidents have been reported to date, but the recall is a preventative measure to inspect and, if necessary, correct the wiring installation. According to the KBA, wear can occur “after a high number of starts.”
This marks the second large-scale recall for BMW in less than a month. In mid-February, the automaker recalled hundreds of thousands of vehicles due to a separate fire risk related to a faulty engine starter. BMW stated that checks and customer complaints revealed the starter motor could become defective, potentially leading to a vehicle fire, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
While a BMW spokesperson confirmed the 29,000 vehicles recalled in Germany to AFP, the company has not yet confirmed the total number of vehicles affected globally. However, the German publication Kfz-Betrieb reported a figure of 575,000 vehicles worldwide, a number the BMW spokesperson did not dispute, stating only that the total is “in the six figures.”
The earlier February recall involved 16 models equipped with a starter relay produced between July 2020 and July 2022. BMW found that wear on a component of the starter could occur after repeated starts, potentially preventing the engine from starting correctly and, in some cases, causing a short circuit and localized overheating. The company advised owners not to leave vehicles unattended after starting the engine. Both the starter and, in some models, the battery, need to be replaced.
BMW’s production network includes a significant presence in the United States. The BMW plant in Greer, South Carolina, began production in 1994 and is now the company’s largest factory, employing over 11,000 workers and supporting 7,200 jobs in the state, according to South Carolina ETV. The plant currently produces the BMW X3, X5, X6, and X7 models. In 2019, the plant assembled a total of 411,620 vehicles.
Late in 2024, BMW recalled 1.5 million vehicles due to a faulty braking system, which forced the company to lower its annual targets. A BMW spokesperson told AFP that the current recall is expected to have little to no impact on the group’s financial results.
BMW has not yet announced a timeline for completing the latest recall, leaving owners of affected vehicles awaiting further instructions from the automaker.
