Big news out of the U.S. — the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced a recall of nearly 195,000 BMWs and just under 1,500 Toyota Supras, all tied to a defect that could increase the risk of fire.
Which Cars Are Involved?
The recall covers a wide range of BMW sedans, SUVs, and sports cars powered by the brand’s 3.0-liter B58 inline-six engine, along with the Toyota GR Supra that shares much of its DNA with BMW. Models include:
- BMW 230i (2022)
- BMW 330i (2019–2021)
- BMW 430i (2021–2022)
- BMW 430i Convertible (2021–2022)
- BMW 530i (2020–2022)
- BMW X3 (2020–2022)
- BMW X4 (2020–2022)
- BMW Z4 (2019–2022)
- Toyota GR Supra 3.0 (2020–2022)
What’s the Problem?
The issue comes down to the starter relay, which supplies power to the starter motor. Over time, water can leak into the relay, causing corrosion. That buildup can lead to overheating, electrical shorts, and in the worst case — a fire.
BMW says corrosion in the Valeo starter could also interfere with electrical connections, sometimes stopping the engine from starting, other times creating a fire hazard.
The numbers in the U.S. are already huge, but this recall stretches worldwide. BMW hasn’t shared the full global figures yet, but since it involves vehicles built between September 2015 and September 2021 for markets across Europe, Asia, and beyond, the final tally could be much higher.
Safety First
Until the defective parts are replaced, authorities are urging owners not to park their cars inside garages or close to buildings, just to be safe.
Toyota, meanwhile, has confirmed it hasn’t seen any Supra incidents so far — likely thanks to its smaller production numbers — but it is fully involved in the recall process.
What Happens Next?
BMW and Toyota plan to start sending out owner notifications in mid-November. Affected vehicles will get a replacement starter/relay free of charge at authorized dealers.
So if you own one of these cars, keep an eye out for that letter — and in the meantime, treat your car with extra caution.
