bmw recalls 30 000 more cars for bad starters that catch on fireBMW has announced a recall impacting 29,119 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sedans in the United States due to an engine starter relay defect that presents a severe fire risk.The recall is serious enough that both BMW and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are advising owners of the affected hybrid models to park their vehicles outdoors and far away from garages, homes, or other structures until the physical repair has been completed.The recall campaign is restricted to specific, older-generation plug-in hybrid models equipped with a starter system that is uniquely vulnerable to moisture intrusion. The affected population includes:AdvertisementAdvertisement2016–2018 BMW 330e iPerformance2017–2019 BMW 740Le xDrive iPerformance2018–2020 BMW 530e iPerformance (including xDrive all-wheel-drive variants)According to the official reports, water can seep directly into the engine starter's electrical relay housing, causing the internal components to rapidly corrode. This corrosion can trigger starting difficulties and can ultimately result in a short circuit and severe component overheating.Because the short circuit bypasses normal vehicle operations, a thermal event can occur at any time-regardless of whether the vehicle is being actively driven or is sitting completely stationary in a driveway with the engine turned off.The fire risk is isolated to the 12-volt engine starter system and is completely unrelated to the vehicle's high-voltage hybrid batteries.AdvertisementAdvertisementTo resolve the defect, dealership technicians will replace the original starter assembly with a redesigned, water-resistant unit completely free of charge. BMW is scheduled to begin mailing official owner notification letters by August 28, 2026.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.