The campaign covers only certain cars, identified by chassis number. Illustrative image.
BMW recalls 189,130 cars over a fire risk. The 3 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series are affected
BMW has launched an international recall for 189,130 cars from the 3 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series ranges, after identifying a risk that water can enter the starter-motor relay. Moisture can cause corrosion, and in certain conditions that can lead to a short circuit and, ultimately, a fire.
The campaign is monitored in Germany by the Federal Motor Transport Authority, Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA), under reference 16791R. According to information associated with the campaign, the cars concerned were built between 29 July 2014 and 12 November 2020.
The production window and belonging to one of the three ranges do not by themselves confirm that a car is affected. Recalls are defined by chassis number, technical configuration and the parts fitted at the factory.
What the problem is
The starter-motor relay would not be sufficiently protected against water ingress. If moisture reaches the component, the contacts can corrode. Corrosion can promote a short circuit, and the electrical energy available in the starting circuit is high enough to create a thermal risk.
The issue should not be confused with a faulty traction battery and does not concern electrified cars exclusively. The component in question is part of the combustion-engine starting system.
| Item | Information published for the campaign |
|---|---|
| Number of cars | 189,130 |
| Ranges affected | BMW 3 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series |
| Production period | 29 July 2014 – 12 November 2020 |
| Possible defect | Water ingress and corrosion of the starter-motor relay |
| Risk | Short circuit and possible fire |
| Remedy | Replacement of the starter motor at an authorised workshop |
| KBA reference | 16791R |
| BMW internal codes | 0012820600 and 0012840600 |
What a BMW workshop will do
The planned remedy is replacement of the starter-motor assembly, not merely a visual check of the relay. For cars included in the recall, the work must be carried out in the authorised network under the campaign’s terms.
An owner should not try to dismantle or repair the starter motor themselves. The component’s location, the current in the circuit and the need to identify the exact part make this a workshop job.
Are cars in Romania affected as well?
The announcement describes an international campaign, but the figure of 189,130 units is not the number of cars in Romania. No breakdown for the Romanian market has been published.
Some examples sold new or later imported into Romania may be included. The correct check uses the 17-character VIN, through a BMW dealer or BMW’s official tool for recalls and technical updates.
This step matters especially for a used car. A notice originally sent in another country may not reach the current owner, and the year on the registration certificate is not always the same as the build date.
What owners should do
Owners of a BMW 3 Series, 5 Series or 7 Series built in the indicated period can follow a few simple steps:
- identify the VIN on the registration certificate or at the base of the windscreen;
- ask a BMW dealer to check open campaigns for that VIN;
- book the work if the car is included;
- not assume the car is outside the campaign just because it is running normally.
If there is a smell of hot material, smoke, unusual starting difficulty or other electrical signs, the car should be stopped in a safe place, away from buildings and other vehicles, and roadside assistance contacted. These symptoms do not automatically confirm the recall defect, but they justify stopping use until a technical check.
Not every example of a generation is included
The 2014–2020 period covers several generations and powertrains of the three BMW ranges. Even so, the campaign cannot be reduced to a general list of model years: two outwardly identical cars can have different suppliers, component batches or production dates.
For that reason, a VIN check is more reliable than identification by body style, engine or year of first registration. The KBA reference and BMW internal codes can help the workshop find the relevant technical action quickly.
