BMW Recalls Hundreds of Thousands of Vehicles Globally Due to Fire Risk
BMW is conducting a global recall of hundreds of thousands of vehicles due to a potential fire hazard, impacting approximately 5,500 vehicles in the Netherlands, the company announced on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The recall affects multiple models and production years, prompting concerns among owners and investors alike.
According to reports, the issue stems from a defective solenoid switch, an electromagnetic component responsible for converting electrical signals into movement or flow control. The company stated that product inspections revealed increased wear in the switch after numerous starts, potentially leading to starter malfunction and, in some cases, complete failure.
“In the worst case, this can lead to a fire in the vehicle during driving. In that case, smoke or a burning smell may be seen or smelled while driving or when exiting the vehicle,” BMW explained. The automaker advises owners to avoid leaving their vehicles unattended with the engine running.
The recall encompasses vehicles manufactured between July 2020 and July 2022, including the 2-Series Coupe, various 3-Series, 4-Series, and 5-Series models, the 6-Series Gran Turismo, the 7-Series sedan, and the X4, X5, X6, and Z4.
A spokesperson for BMW confirmed that vehicle owners will be contacted by their local dealer with information regarding the recall process. In Belgium, several thousand vehicles are affected, with customers already being notified and, in some instances, having the starter motor replaced.
While the total number of affected vehicles is estimated at around 575,000 globally, BMW has not officially confirmed this figure. The recall follows a similar action in September of last year, when BMW recalled 1.2 million vehicles, including nearly 14,000 in the Netherlands.
BMW owners can check if their vehicle is subject to the recall by verifying if their chassis number contains 0012650600, 0012660600, 0012670600, or 0012680600.
