BMW issues urgent recall for thousands of vehicles over starter motor concerns
BMW has announced a recall affecting over 12,000 vehicles due to starter motor issues that could lead to fire risks.
Image: BMW
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued a critical notice for consumers regarding a significant recall affecting several BMW models, emphasising safety and vehicle integrity. The BMW Group South Africa has identified a total of 12,491 vehicles, including the 3 Series (G20), 4 Series (G22), 5 Series (G30), Z4 (G29), X3 (G01), and X4 (G02) models, produced from 2016 onwards, as being at risk due to potential issues with the starter motor.
According to BMW, an analysis of product controls and customer complaints revealed a troubling concern that water can access the starter motor in these selected vehicles, resulting in corrosion.
This issue could ultimately prevent the vehicle's engine from starting, raising the alarming possibility of a short circuit that might lead to local overheating of the starter.
In the worst-case scenario, a thermal event could culminate in a vehicle fire, posing a threat even when the car is parked.
To mitigate these risks, BMW has advised owners of the affected models to exercise caution, particularly when driving through water that could submerge the starter motor.
The manufacturer cautions that vehicles kept in such conditions for extended periods may be at higher risk of encountering thermal issues. Should an incident arise, it could potentially cause harm to individuals or property.
In light of these developments, BMW is encouraging all owners of the identified models to visit their nearest authorised dealership to have the starter motor replaced at no cost.
Furthermore, BMW owners can check the status of their vehicles via BMW's service portal by following this link: https://www.bmw.co.za/en/service-portal/bmw-technical-campaigns.html. They can also keep an eye on in-car communications for further notifications related to the safety recall.
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