87,000+ luxury vehicles need immediate attention for overheating starter motors that could ignite
Your BMW’s morning startup routine just became a potential fire hazard. Over 87,394 vehicles from BMW and Toyota face recall due to engine starter motors that overheat from internal wear, creating thermal events that could torch your driveway.
Which Vehicles Need Immediate Attention
Nine BMW models and the Toyota Supra share the same defective starter component.
If you drive a 2021-2024 BMW 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, X3, X4, or Z4, your starter motor might be wearing itself into a fire starter. The recall also affects 2021-2023 Toyota Supras—those share BMW’s Z4 platform and the same problematic engine component.
The defect stems from metallic buildup in the electrical relay, caused by internal abrasion that creates dangerous overheating during engine start or operation. NHTSA opened its investigation in September 2025 after field reports surfaced between October 2024 and March 2025 showing thermal damage from failing starters.
What You Need to Do Right Now
Free repairs start soon, but safety precautions begin immediately.
BMW and Toyota dealers will replace starter motors at no charge once parts arrive. Here’s the critical part: stop leaving your vehicle unattended with the engine running, including remote start sessions.
Owner notification letters hit mailboxes March 24, 2026. Check your VIN immediately on NHTSA.gov or Toyota.com/recall from that date. Call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 for service scheduling.
Pattern of Persistent Problems
This marks BMW’s second starter recall in six months for nearly identical issues.
This recall follows BMW’s September 2025 recall of nearly 200,000 vehicles for the same starter motor defect. When luxury vehicles repeat safety issues twice in six months, quality control questions multiply rapidly.
The shared BMW-Toyota engineering means both brands inherit the same risks when components fail. No injuries have been reported yet, but thermal events near fuel systems don’t offer second chances.
Schedule your repair appointment the moment notifications arrive.
