BMW is recalling 318,495 vehicles in the United States because of a starter defect that can, in rare cases, lead to a fire. The recall affects nine BMW models as well as the Toyota Supra, with the BMW X3 accounting for the largest share of the affected vehicles.
Starter Defect Can Prevent Engine Start or Cause Fire
In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), BMW said premature wear of the starter could cause it to malfunction.
In less severe cases, the defect may prevent the engine from starting. In rare instances, attempting to start a vehicle with a degraded starter can generate enough heat to ignite a fire.
BMW Models Included in the Recall
The recall covers the following vehicles:
- BMW X3 (sDrive30i, xDrive30i) — Dec. 14, 2020–Aug. 27, 2024 — 210,748 vehicles
- BMW 3 Series (330i, 330i xDrive) — Oct. 10, 2022–Jul. 24, 2024 — 32,094 vehicles
- BMW X4 (xDrive30i) — Dec. 14, 2020–Apr. 13, 2025 — 26,866 vehicles
- BMW 5 Series (530i, 530i xDrive) — Jun. 24, 2021–Jun. 29, 2023 — 11,991 vehicles
- BMW 2 Series Coupe (230i, 230i xDrive) — Jul. 14, 2021–Apr. 29, 2025 — 11,479 vehicles
- BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive) — Oct. 1, 2022–Jun. 1, 2024 — 9,552 vehicles
- BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive) — Sep. 2, 2022–Feb. 28, 2024 — 8,048 vehicles
- BMW 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive) — Sep. 1, 2022–Feb. 28, 2024 — 5,270 vehicles
- BMW Z4 (sDrive30i) — Sep. 1, 2022–Apr. 16, 2025 — 2,177 vehicles
- Toyota Supra — Sep. 1, 2022–May 21, 2024 — 270 vehicles
Toyota Supra Also Included
The recall extends beyond BMW-branded vehicles because the BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra were jointly developed on a shared platform. As a result, 270 examples of the 2023–2024 Toyota Supra are included in the campaign.
The filing notes this mirrors a previous 2026 recall that also included the 2021–2023 Toyota Supra alongside related BMW models built on the same architecture.
Repair Will Be Performed at No Cost
BMW said it is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the defect.
Dealers will replace the affected starter with a redesigned unit free of charge. BMW said dealer notifications began on July 8, 2026, allowing service centers to begin repairs.
Owner notification letters are scheduled to begin mailing on Aug. 28, 2026. Owners of affected vehicles may contact their dealer before receiving a notification letter.
Latest in a Series of Starter-Related Recalls
This recall is one of several starter-related campaigns BMW has issued within the past year. It also follows the German KBA’s disclosure of a separate global recall covering 744,234 vehicles for a different starter defect involving relay deposits.
- September 2025: Approximately 145,000 vehicles recalled after starters were found capable of igniting nearby engine components during or after use.
- January 2026: 87,394 vehicles recalled following continued investigation with a supplier.
- February 2026: A global recall of roughly 575,000 vehicles involving starters built between July 2020 and July 2022.
- July 2026 (early): 29,000 hybrid vehicles recalled after BMW found water intrusion could cause corrosion inside the starter relay while monitoring vehicles from the original recall.
- July 2026 (current recall): 318,495 U.S. vehicles recalled because of premature wear of an internal four-cylinder starter component.
- July 2026 (Germany/global): 744,234 vehicles recalled worldwide because of manufacturing deposits in the starter relay.
Although each recall identifies a different technical cause, including water intrusion, component wear, and manufacturing deposits, they all involve starter-related overheating and fire-risk concerns affecting BMW vehicles across multiple engine families.
