BMW Recalls 720,796 US Vehicles Over Water Pump Fire Risk
BMW is recalling 720,796 vehicles in the United States over a water pump electrical fault that poses a fire risk, prompting regulators to urge owners to park outdoors, according to The Times of India and USA Today. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advised owners to keep affected vehicles parked outside and away from buildings and other cars until repairs are completed, Reuters reported via The Times of India.
Cause of the Fault and Prior 2024 Recall
In its safety report, the NHTSA stated that material degradation at the water pump electrical connector over time could allow moisture to enter, potentially causing a short circuit, a thermal event and, in rare cases, a fire even when parked and switched off, USA Today and The Times of India reported. BMW has reported 10 fire incidents that may be linked to the defect, occurring in vehicles that had already undergone repairs under a previous 2024 recall identified as 24V608, according to The Times of India and USA Today. BMW is still developing a remedy for the latest recall, and owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed in December, USA Today reported. Within the 720,796-vehicle water pump connector campaign, 2013–2017 BMW X3 sDrive28i and xDrive28i models account for 163,728 vehicles, according to Empire Auto Protect. On August 19, 2024, NHTSA campaign 24V-608 recalled 720,796 BMW vehicles over a water-pump connector fire risk, with notification letters starting October 4, 2024, according to Schmidt & Clark, LLP.
Affected BMW Models
The recall covers 2012 to 2018 BMW models including the 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, X1, X3, X4, X5 and Z4 lineups, according to lists published by The Times of India and USA Today. Specifically, USA Today listed affected variants as 2014-2016 228i and 228xi, 2012-2016 328i and 328xi, 2014-2016 428i and 428xi, 2012-2016 528i and 528xi, 2012-2015 X1, 2013-2017 X3, 2015-2018 X4, 2016-2018 X5 and 2012-2016 Z4, while The Times of India also noted the 2014-2016 3 Series Sportswagon, 328xi Gran Turismo and 2016-2018 X5 xDrive40e. USA Today added that owners can contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.