BMW recalls thousands of cars and SUVs over engine starter fire risk

The logo of BMW is shown on a BMW car on March 20, 2019 in Munich, Germany (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

BMW is expanding a vehicle recall over an engine starter fire risk.

The latest recall covers more than 26,000 cars and SUVs that were sold in Canada between 2021 and 2026. According to the Canadian recall notice, engine starters on certain vehicles may not have been manufactured properly and could overheat.

“A starter that overheats can create the risk of a fire,” the recall notice posted by Transport Canada warns. “To reduce the safety risk, BMW recommends not using the remote start function and not leaving the vehicle unattended with the engine running until the recall repairs have been completed.”

BMW says it will notify impacted owners by mail and advise them to take their vehicle to a dealership for an engine starter replacement.

Affected vehicles and model years include BMW’s 2 Series (2023 to 2025), 3 Series (2023 and 2024), 4 Series (2023 and 2024), 5 Series (2023), X3 (2021 to 2024), X4 (2021 to 2025) and Z4 (2022 to 2026). In Canada, 26,247 cars and SUVs are affected.

The engine starter recall is an expansion of a recall from earlier this year that impacted nearly 7,000 BMV vehicles in Canada. A similar engine starter recall in the U.S. impacted more than 87,000 BMW vehicles.

Last October, BMW also recalled nearly 15,000 additional vehicles because earlier engine starter repairs were not effective.