BMW recalling more than 196,000 cars in U.S. over potential fire risk

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BMW has announced a recall of almost 200,000 vehicles in the U.S., including some Toyota Supras, due to a potential fire hazard caused by a short circuit in their starters. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a statement on Friday stating that the engine starter relay in these vehicles may corrode, leading to overheating and a short circuit, which could increase the risk of a fire.

The recall affects a total of 196,355 vehicles in the U.S., with the majority being BMWs manufactured between 2019 and 2022. The models included in the recall are 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i. Owners of these vehicles will receive letters from BMW of North America starting November 14, informing them of the issue.

Vehicle owners can also check if their vehicle is subject to the recall by visiting NHTSA.gov/recalls and entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or the year, make, and model of their vehicle. NHTSA advised owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete, as dealers will replace the engine starter free of charge.

If owners have any questions, they can contact BMW’s U.S. customer service line at 1-800-525-7417. This recall comes after BMW recalled over 720,700 vehicles in North America last year due to a fire hazard caused by an electric water pump with faulty installation.

Tucker Reals

Tucker Reals is CBSNews.com’s foreign editor, based in the CBS News London bureau. He has worked for CBS News since 2006, prior to which he worked for The Associated Press in Washington, D.C., and London.