BMW Recall Covers 720,000 Cars Over Fire Risk
The BMW recall covers 720,796 cars in the United States over a fault that can cause a fire while the vehicle is parked and switched off. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the recall on Friday, November 13. It covers certain BMW cars from the 2012 to 2018 model years. The fault lies in an electrical connector on the water pump, which was not sealed properly. Water can get in and cause a short circuit. Owners must park outside and away from buildings until the cars are fixed.
The danger is unusual because it can strike when the car is not in use. NHTSA said owners should park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the recall repair is complete.
BMW is still developing the repair, so no fix is available for now. Dealers will carry it out free of charge once it is ready. Owner letters are expected to be mailed from December 25, 2026, and the affected vehicle numbers will be searchable on NHTSA’s website from the same date. The campaign number is 26V733000.
Second BMW recall for same fault
These cars were already recalled in 2024 for the same water pump problem. That earlier recall, numbered 24V-608, covered the same vehicles. The new recall replaces it, and cars that received the earlier repair will need the new fix as well.
BMW is aware of about 10 fire incidents in the United States that may be linked to the fault, all in vehicles that had already received the earlier repair. No crashes or injuries have been reported, according to NHTSA.
BMW decided to launch the new recall on October 28 and submitted its report to NHTSA on November 4. The report said moisture could enter the pump at the connector, which could lead to overheating and, in rare cases, a fire.
The affected models include the 2012 to 2016 3 Series, 5 Series and Z4; the 2012 to 2015 X1; the 2013 to 2017 X3; the 2014 to 2016 2 Series Coupe, 3 Series Sportswagon, 328xi Gran Turismo, and 4 Series Coupe and Convertible; the 2015 to 2016 2 Series Convertible and 4 Series Gran Coupe; the 2015 to 2018 X4; and the 2016 to 2018 X5 xDrive40e.
What owners in Pakistan should do
The recall formally covers vehicles sold in the United States, but the same models are on the road in many other countries. ProPakistani, which reported the recall in Pakistan, said owners of these models elsewhere, including Pakistan, may want to check with an authorised BMW dealer.
That advice matters because many 2012 to 2018 BMWs in Pakistan are imported used cars. An imported car may be part of the affected batch even though it was never sold in the United States, so owners should ask a dealer to check their VIN for any open recall.
The case also shows how a repair can fail: the 2024 fix was meant to solve the problem, but the new recall shows it did not hold.
Pakistan’s car market has been active in recent weeks. Car sales in October rose sharply, with Rawalpindi launching electric buses and a phone component plant opening in Pakistan. But safety recalls remain a weak spot for imported used cars, where buyers often have no direct link to the maker.
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW cars are in the recall?
The recall covers 720,796 vehicles from the 2012 to 2018 model years, including certain 2, 3, 4 and 5 Series cars, the X1, X3, X4 and X5 xDrive40e, and the Z4. The VIN decides whether a car is included.
Can I still drive my BMW?
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive order, but owners should park outside and away from buildings and other vehicles until the repair is done, because a fire can start while the car is parked and switched off.
What should BMW owners in Pakistan do?
Owners of 2012 to 2018 BMW models should contact an authorised BMW dealer with their vehicle identification number and ask whether the recall applies to their car. The US recall does not automatically cover cars sold elsewhere, so a dealer check is the only way to confirm.
Why is BMW recalling the same cars again?
The cars were recalled in 2024 for the same water pump fault, but about 10 fire incidents have been reported in cars that had the earlier repair. BMW is developing a new remedy, and the old repair will not count as a fix.
When will the repair be available?
BMW is still developing the remedy. Owner letters are expected from December 25, 2026, when VINs will also be searchable on NHTSA’s website, and dealers will fit the repair free of charge once it is ready.
