A significant safety recall has been announced for BMW vehicles and Toyota Supras due to a starter motor defect that could potentially cause fires, even when vehicles are parked and turned off. The recall affects approximately 196,000 vehicles in the United States, spanning multiple popular models from both manufacturers produced between 2019 and 2022 [1].
The recall encompasses several popular BMW models, including the 3-series sedan and X3 SUV, as well as Toyota Supras, which share BMW engineering components. The affected vehicles may experience a malfunction in the starter motor that could lead to internal damage and potential fires [2].
BMW is advising owners of affected vehicles to park their cars outside and away from structures until repairs can be completed [3]. This precautionary measure is particularly important as fires have been reported to occur even when vehicles are completely turned off.
The manufacturer will notify owners directly about the recall, and dealers will inspect and replace the starter motor free of charge. The repair process will involve installing an improved starter motor design that addresses the fire risk [1].
In addition to the starter motor recall, BMW has separately announced a smaller recall affecting 1,571 vehicles due to front seat belt defects, highlighting the company's commitment to addressing safety concerns across its product line [4].
