BMW Recalls 720,796 Cars Over Fire Risk, Tells Owners to Park Outside

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging owners of more than 720,000 BMWs to park outside and away from buildings and other vehicles. BMW said Friday it will recall 720,796 vehicles over fire dangers that can strike when the cars are parked with their engines shut off. Until a repair is done, regulators say the driveway is the safer spot.

These cars have been here before. The affected models were first recalled in 2024 to fix a water pump problem, and now they need a second remedy, according to the agency. NHTSA points to an improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump that may be exposed to water and short circuit, raising the risk of fire.

BMW is still developing a solution. The automaker says it has identified 10 fires potentially connected to the defect, all occurring after cars went through the 2024 recall service, and it isn't aware of any crashes or injuries, federal regulators said. Once ready, the fix will be free at a BMW dealership.

The recall covers a long stretch of BMW's lineup: 2012-2016 3 Series and 5 Series, 2012-2015 X1, 2012-2016 Z4, 2013-2017 X3, 2014-2016 2 Series coupe, 3 Series sportswagon, 328xi Gran Turismo, 4 Series convertible and 4 Series coupe, 2015-2016 2 Series convertible and 4 Series gran coupe, 2015-2018 X4, and the 2016-2018 X5 xDrive40e.

BMW plans to mail letters to owners beginning Dec. 25, 2026. Owners with questions can call BMW's recall hotline at 800-525-7417 or NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236. Starting the same December date, affected vehicle identification numbers and license plate numbers will be searchable on NHTSA.gov/Recalls.