BMW Starter Recall Affects 340,000+ Models: Here’s What You Need to Know

BMW has announced two recalls involving the starter in a number of their vehicles. Investigations done by BMW revealed that the engine starter can overheat, and if it does, can ignite other material inside the vehicle and start a fire.

.1% or about 196 of the 196,355 recalled vehicles are estimated to be affected by the starter issue from the September 23rd Recall, or Recall Number 25V-636. 1% or about 1,451 of the 145,102 recalled vehicles are also estimated to be affected by the issue in the September 25th Recall, or Recall 25V-644. 

For more information about both of these recalls and how they will be developing, continue reading below.

The Problem with the BMW Starter

NHTSA documents describe the problem with the starter, which was discovered after BMW owners reported that their vehicles experienced thermal events.

Thermal events are situations with unusually high levels of heat, and in the context of vehicles often involve vehicle fires after a battery ignites.

BMW began investigating and discovered that the engine starter could come into contact with water during ordinary vehicle operation and corrode.

That corrosion can lead to a short circuit in the starter, causing it to overheat and potentially start a vehicle fire.

This is especially a concern in hybrid vehicles, whose onboard batteries can create catastrophic fires if they ignite.

However, that wasn’t the end of the problems for the malfunctioning starter. After thermal events took place even after the starter had been replaced, BMW continued to investigate and decided to issue the second recall discussed.

Which Models Are Included in the Recall

A number of BMW and non-BMW vehicles are included in this recall, as BMW manufactures some Toyota vehicles.

Recall 1: 25V-636	Recall 2: 25V-644
2020-2022 Toyota Supra	2020 BMW 340i
2022 BMW 2 Series	2020-2025 BMW 840i
2020-2022 BMW 5 Series	2020-2022 BMW 740i
2019-2022 BMW Z4	2019-2020 BMW X7
2021-2022 BMW 4 Series	2020 BMW X6
2019-2021 BMW 3 Series	2019-2020 BMW X5
2020-2022 BMW X4
2020-2022 BMW X3

The Fire Risk Associated with the Starter Defect

Because the starter defect here can cause a thermal event, there is a risk of fire. BMW states that this fire could occur while the vehicle is in operation or while it is parked and the ignition is off, which makes it particularly dangerous because a fire could start at any time.

For that reason, BMW has advised vehicle owners to park their impacted vehicles away from structures just in case the vehicle ignites.

Hybrid vehicle battery fires can be especially dangerous, as they can burn for a long time and release very harmful chemicals into the air through the fire’s smoke.

BMW’s Starter Recall Remedy Plan

In both recalls, BMW plans to first notify dealers and owners that the recall is taking place. In the first recall, dealers were notified on September 23, 2025, and in the second recall, they were notified on September 25, 2025.

Owners, on the other hand, are not expected to be notified until November 14, 2025 for the first recall and November 17, 2025 for the second.

Once owners are notified that the recall is taking place, they will be instructed to take their vehicle to a BMW dealership.

There, technicians will replace the starter with a differently designed one that no longer has the risk of overheating. This should solve the defect and prevent any thermal events from taking place.

Steps for Affected Owners to Take

Before consumers can get their vehicle repaired, there are some steps they should take to ensure their safety.

1.  A NHTSA press release states, consumers should park their vehicles outside and away from any nearby structures or other vehicles. This is done in case the vehicle catches on fire; if nothing is nearby, the fire cannot spread and cause even more damage. Consumers should otherwise try to look out for any signs of overheating. Things like large amounts of vapor coming from the vehicle or hissing are signs that a thermal event is in progress, and any consumer who witnesses these problems should immediately ensure their safety by removing themselves and others from the vehicle.
2. Consumers should wait for the owner notification to arrive in mid-November
3. Once possible, a recall repair should be scheduled with an authorized dealership.
4. Next, affected owners should bring their vehicles there and have them inspected and repaired according to the remedy. This comes at no cost to the consumer, since recall remedies are ordinarily free of charge.
5. It’s crucial to monitor the vehicle after the repair has been performed to ensure that the problem has been resolved.

What to Do if the Recall Doesn’t Fix Your BMW

If the recall remedy doesn’t end up solving your vehicle’s problems and you continue to experience frightening overheating events, don’t worry.

There is another route you can take, which could compensate you for purchasing a defective vehicle. That route is your state’s lemon law.

The lemon law process gives consumers a powerful way to fight back when a new or certified pre-owned vehicle turns out to be defective according to the law’s definition.

When a car suffers from ongoing mechanical, electrical, or safety-related issues that remain unresolved after several repair attempts, the law recognizes that the manufacturer has failed to deliver on its warranty obligations.

The process begins when the consumer starts noticing that the same issue keeps returning, even after visiting the dealership multiple times.

The foundation of any strong lemon law claim is documentation. Every repair order, service invoice, and communication with the manufacturer or dealership should be saved.

These records show that the owner gave the manufacturer reasonable opportunities to fix the problem but was left without a lasting solution.

Some states also take into account how many total days the vehicle spent in the shop; an extended loss of use can support a claim that the car is substantially defective.

With thorough documentation, the consumer can clearly demonstrate the scope and persistence of the defect.

After gathering the necessary records, the consumer or their attorney then notifies the manufacturer of the ongoing defect and the intent to pursue a claim under the lemon law.

In most states, the automaker is given one last chance to make things right. If they still fail, the owner can then seek remedies such as a full buyback, a comparable replacement vehicle, or cash compensation for the defect and related expenses.

The process can seem complex, but it’s designed to protect buyers from being stuck with unreliable vehicles that don’t meet expected standards of safety and performance.

Here are some examples of settlements we have been able to obtain for our clients. It’s important to note that the circumstances for each case are unique, and therefore so are the results.

Affected Vehicle	Average Settlement
Toyota Supra	$81,375
BMW 2 Series	$52,500
BMW 5 Series	$58,333
BMW Z4	$62,708
BMW 4 Series	$63,000
BMW 3 Series	$44,357
BMW X4	$60,083
BMW X3	$49,583
BMW 340i	$84,000
BMW 840i	$113,750
BMW 740i	$65,916
BMW X7	$60,812
BMW X6	$70,000
BMW X5	$70,000

*Please note, the figures presented in the chart are approximations based on past case results and should not be interpreted as a prediction or guarantee. Each case is unique and requires personalized legal guidance.

Questions? Connect with Lemon Law Attorneys Who Can Help! 

If you’re tired of dealing with the same car problems over and over again, you may be protected under the lemon law.

Don’t let the manufacturer ignore your concerns or delay a fair resolution: your rights as a consumer are stronger than you might think.

At the Lemon Law Experts, we pride ourselves on helping our clients through the lemon law process with as little stress as possible.

Let us assist you in bringing your claim; contact us today by calling (877) 885-5366 or by filling out a contact form on our website!