Multiple news outlets have reported that BMW has recalled around 917 thousand older Cars and SUVs in the United States. However, most of the vehicles were restored for a 3rd time to fix an electrical issue, causing fires in the engine compartment.
The US NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) also shared the BMW recall to secure Americans. The recent recall from the company involves various models of 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, Z4, X3, and X5 vehicles. However, most recalled vehicles were manufactured between 2006 and 2013.
BMW said there was reportedly an electrical issue in the valve heater of the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation). The NHTSA said it could result in overheating and generating a fire during driving or after parking the vehicle.
Fire Incidents in most vehicles are Rare
BMW has also confirmed that people can drive and park recalled vehicles without fear because fire incidents are rare. The company documents said it has discovered 8 reports of fires but didn’t find any crash or injury report.
The German auto-manufacturer also issued safety measures for the recently recalled vehicles. The driver should find a safe location, turn off the engine, and leave the vehicle if smells smoke from the engine compartment.
A spokesperson for BMW in the US, Jay Hanson said the company is still developing a fix. He said the solution and supply for a significant part are expected to arrive around July 2022. The owners of recalled vehicles will also get a notification beginning on April 25, 2022.
BMW recalls vehicles for the 3rd Time
It is noteworthy that most of the BMW with the same issue were recalled between 2017 and 2019. The company statement said the previously repaired vehicles under the former recall will also need a new fix. So, the owners of the vehicle can contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW vehicle owners can also visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/ and enter a 17-digit vehicle identification number. It will give the current status to find if their vehicle is affected and need a fix. However, the company hasn’t yet confirmed how many BMW vehicles are expected to recall outside the United States.
It is important that some other auto-manufacturers also recalled their vehicles over similar fire risks. Nissan recalled at least 793 thousand small SUVs in the United States and Canada. In January, Nissan also alerted people that there are rare cases in which water can get into wiring and starts a fire.
Mercedes, Kia, and Hyundai recalled Vehicles
Kia and Hyundai started alerting the owners of at least 485 thousand vehicles in the US. They advised owners to park their vehicles outdoors because they can catch fire while the engine is quiet. The issue pointed to grime in the module of antilock brake control that could cause an expected electrical problem.
Mercedes-Benz has also recalled 24 of its new fully electric EQS models. These vehicles need to fix the issue that the loose wiring connections could generate a fire. Moreover, the issue is linked to a ground connection on the front-left longitudinal member of EQS and a heater connection.
The fix involves technicians of Mercedes inspecting and properly securing the essential connections. Keep in mind that the owners of vehicles can get this recall work free of cost from their Mercedes dealer. The company has also planned to alert its customers via mail at the start of May 2022.