BMW Recalls 29K PHEVs Over Fire RiskTom KirkpatrickBMW is recalling 29,119 plug-in hybrid vehicles across the United States because of a potential fire risk. But the high-voltage battery isn't the problem; according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)'s recall notice, the recall actually stems from a defective engine starter relay.NHTSA documents reveal that water can seep inside the engine starter relay, leading to corrosion and, potentially, a short-circuit and overheating of the starter. In extreme cases, this can cause a fire even when the car is parked and the engine is off, which is why owners of the affected vehicles are being advised to park outside until the issue is fixed.The recall affects certain 2016-2018 BMW 330e iPerformance, 2018-2020 BMW 530e iPerformance and 530e xDrive, and 2017-2019 BMW 740Le xDrive plug-in hybrid sedans. BMW says it has not received any reports of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf this issue sounds familiar, that might be because there was a recall of nearly 200,000 BMW vehicles last September for the same issue. Plug-in hybrid vehicles were examined by engineers when the original recall was issued last year, but they were not included in that campaign. However, the PHEVs were still monitored and tested, and after further evaluation — and a field incident in February 2026 involving a 2017 3-Series, BMW decided to issue a new recall for the plug-in hybrid models.To correct the issue, BMW dealers will replace the engine starter assembly free of charge. Owners will be notified by mail when parts become available and can schedule an appointment with their local dealership. Owner notification is expected to begin on August 28, 2026.You Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State