BY OUR MOTORING DESK
THOUSANDS of BMW owners have been warned their “Ultimate Driving Machines” could turn into ultimate fireballs due to a terrifying engine defect.
The German car giant has been forced to pull more than 87,000 vehicles off the road in the US alone after safety experts warned of a lethal fire risk.
Watchdogs at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sounded the alarm, revealing that a dodgy engine starter can overheat.
In the worst-case scenarios, the glitch can cause the car to burst into flames.
The recall affects tens of thousands of North American owners, but the shockwaves are expected to be felt by Beemer fans worldwide.
BMW North America confirmed that the faulty starters will be replaced by dealers completely free of charge.
A spokesperson for the NHTSA warned that the mechanical failure poses a “fire hazard,” urging owners to get their vehicles seen to immediately once parts become available.
It is the latest blow for the prestige brand, which prides itself on German engineering and high-end performance.
This recall centers on a specific mechanical failure within the starter motor assembly. If the engine fails to start and the driver repeatedly attempts to turn the ignition, the starter motor can overheat. Because of the high electrical current required to crank the engine, this heat can build up rapidly, melting surrounding components and igniting engine bay fluids or plastics.
While the current figure stands at 87,394 units, global recalls often follow US findings if the same components were used in European or British factories.
This follows a series of high-profile “fire risk” recalls across the industry, as modern engine bays become more packed with electronics that generate significant heat.
BMW has faced similar heat-related issues in the past, notably with EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) coolers, which led to a massive UK recall in 2018.
