German carmaker BMW has confirmed a global recall of hundreds of thousands of vehicles due to a potential fire risk linked to faulty engine starters.

A company spokesperson told AFP on Wednesday that the recall would affect a “mid-six-figure number” of cars worldwide. BMW will contact affected vehicle owners directly and replace the potentially defective starters.

According to a company statement, 16 BMW models fitted with starters produced between July 2020 and July 2022 may be affected. The issue is linked to excessive wear in the electromagnet over time, which could lead to technical failure.

“BMW AG recommends that after starting the engine – especially after remote engine start – the vehicle should not be left unattended with the engine running,” the company said.

BMW explained that, following customer complaints and vehicle inspections, it was established that the starters in the identified vehicles could become defective. The company also warned that a short circuit in the electromagnet cannot be ruled out, which could cause local overheating.

“In the worst case, this can lead to a vehicle fire while driving,” the statement added.

The recall was first reported by industry publication kfz-betrieb.

This is not the first major recall for BMW in recent years. In 2024, the company was forced to cut its financial outlook after booking losses worth hundreds of millions of euros when it recalled around 1.5 million vehicles over faulty brakes supplied by Continental.

However, BMW has indicated that the latest recall is unlikely to have any significant impact on its earnings.

Motorists are advised to remain alert for official communication from BMW and to follow safety guidance while the recall process is underway.