German luxury automaker BMW announced a global recall of 575,000 vehicles due to a potential issue with the starter motor. When this fault occurs, the starter motor makes the vehicle difficult or impossible to start.

More than half a million BMW vehicles are being recalled globally. Photo: BMWBlog

According to BMW, the starter motor in affected vehicles may be faulty. Over time, especially after extensive start cycles, wear can increase in the magnetic switch (Magnetschalter). The initial symptom might appear normal: the engine becomes harder to start or fails to start. However, BMW's concern is that in a worst-case scenario, this fault, and the heat it can generate, could escalate into a fire risk, BMWBlog reported.

ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club), Germany and Europe's largest automobile association, provided further technical details. They described the risk as stemming from metal wear that can cause a short circuit in the magnetic switch, leading to starter overheating—a condition that can even occur while driving.

Affected models include: Series 2 Coupe (G42); Series 3: 3 sedan (G20), 3 Touring (G21), 3 long-wheelbase version for Trung Quoc (G28); Series 4: 4 Coupe (G22), 4 Convertible (G23), 4 Gran Coupe (G26); Series 5: 5 sedan (G30), 5 Touring (G31); Series 6: 6 Gran Turismo (G32). Series 7 sedan (G11, G12); the X series, including X3 (G01), X4 (G02), X5 (G05), X6 (G06); Z4 (G29); and the Toyota GR Supra. A BMW representative added that in these vehicles, "a high number of start cycles can lead to increased wear on the magnetic switch."

BMW will rectify the issue by replacing the starter motor and, in some cases, the battery.

Minh Vu