BMW Recalls 720,796 Cars Again: Park Outside Until a Fire-Risk Fix Arrives

BMW is recalling 720,796 vehicles because a water pump electrical connector can short circuit and start a fire, even while a car is parked and switched off. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging owners to park outside, away from buildings, until a repair is available, Fox 2 Detroit reported.

The cars were already part of a 2024 water pump recall, and the agency says vehicles repaired then must be fixed again. BMW has not yet said what the new repair involves, according to bmwblog.

What this means for BMW owners right now

NHTSA's advice, as relayed by USA Today and Fox 2 Detroit, is to leave affected vehicles outdoors and away from structures. bmwblog added that the same applies to other cars, so owners should avoid parking next to a house, a garage or other vehicles.

The advice holds even if a car had the earlier repair. bmwblog reported that NHTSA says previously repaired vehicles will need the new remedy too.

The eventual repair will be free at BMW dealers, according to Fox 2 Detroit, but a remedy is still being developed. bmwblog noted that BMW has not said when parts will be ready.

Why the 2024 fix did not settle the problem

The earlier recall, numbered 24V-608, focused on liquid from the engine's crankcase ventilation system that could drip onto the electric water pump's connector, bmwblog reported. Dealers inspected the pump and connector, replaced them if damaged and installed a splash shield.

The new filing points to the connector itself. According to the NHTSA safety report quoted by USA Today, material at the connector can degrade over time, allowing moisture into the pump and creating the possibility of a short circuit. That, the document says, could raise the risk of a thermal event and, in rare cases, a fire.

bmwblog reported that BMW's own testing found the connectors turning brittle and cracking, something a splash shield cannot address. After a review turned up more overheating cases in cars already repaired, BMW decided on Oct. 28 to recall them again, the outlet said.

Which models are included

The list covers whole model lines, according to bmwblog's reading of NHTSA's consumer alert for recall 26V-733:

2012-2016 3 Series, 2012-2016 5 Series and 2012-2016 Z4
2014-2016 2 Series coupe, 3 Series Sports Wagon, 328xi Gran Turismo and 4 Series coupe and convertible
2015-2016 2 Series convertible and 4 Series Gran Coupe
2012-2015 X1, 2013-2017 X3 and 2015-2018 X4
2016-2018 X5 xDrive40e

USA Today's list names specific variants, such as the 228i, 328i and 428i and their xDrive versions. bmwblog said the 2024 recall involved cars with BMW's N20 or N26 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and advised owners to assume a car is affected until a VIN lookup says otherwise.

What is known about incidents

NHTSA officials said BMW is aware of 10 incidents that might be related, all in vehicles repaired under the 2024 recall, Fox 2 Detroit reported. bmwblog said no crashes or injuries have been reported.

What happens next

Owner notification letters will be mailed starting Dec. 25, according to Fox 2 Detroit. Vehicle identification numbers and license plate numbers will become searchable on NHTSA.gov/Recalls on the same day.

Owners with questions can reach BMW at 800-525-7417 or NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236, according to bmwblog.

Around Prague, based on reporting by USA Today, FOX 2 Detroit, bmwblog

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