BMW Group South Africa has issued a major recall of 12 491 vehicles due to a serious safety risk that could result in spontaneous fires – even when the cars are parked and turned off.
The recall, flagged by both BMW and the National Consumer Commission (NCC), involves several of the automaker’s most popular models sold locally since 2016.
Affected models include the 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, Z4, X3, and X4.
Internal corrosion
At the heart of the issue is a defective starter motor that can allow water to seep into the unit, causing internal corrosion.
This corrosion increases the risk of electrical short circuits, engine failure, and in severe cases, vehicle fires – or as BMW refers to them, “thermal events.”
“What makes this particularly concerning is that fires can occur even when the vehicle is parked,” said the NCC in an official statement.
What You Need to Know
- Risk: Corroded starter motors may overheat, triggering fires even when the car is stationary and turned off
- Cause: Water ingress leading to corrosion inside the starter motor
- Models affected:
BMW 3 Series
BMW 4 Series
BMW 5 Series
BMW Z4
BMW X3
BMW X4
(All produced/sold in South Africa since 2016)
What BMW Owners Should Do
BMW is replacing the faulty starter motors free of charge.
Affected owners are urged to:
- Check their vehicle’s recall status via bmw.co.za on the Technical Campaign Portal
- Contact their nearest authorised BMW dealership
- Avoid driving through deep water or parking in flood-prone areas to reduce risk until the repair is completed
BMW says some owners will also receive notifications via their vehicle’s in-car system.
Urgent Warning from the NCC
The NCC is monitoring the recall closely and warns that property damage or injury could result if drivers ignore the issue.
“This is not just a performance issue – it’s a fire hazard. We urge all affected motorists to act immediately,” the NCC said.
