4 Minutes
BMW issues wide-ranging recall after starter overheating cases
BMW of North America has announced a major safety recall covering 145,102 vehicles in the United States after documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed a risk of starter overheating. The thermal fault can damage the engine compartment's acoustic insulation and, in some cases, could lead to a localized fire while driving or shortly after parking.
What caused the recall?
The problem centers on a suspect starter motor supplied by Denso Europe B.V., listed under part number 8671505 in BMW’s parts system. BMW began investigating in March 2025 after three field incidents produced thermal damage; a fourth incident was reported in April. The automaker says it will replace the affected starters free of charge with a revised-design unit.
Affected models and scope
This recall expands on an earlier campaign. It includes 105,588 vehicles previously serviced under NHTSA campaign 24V-576 (initiated August 1, 2024) and adds additional cars to the list. Key nameplates implicated include:
- 2020 M340i
- 2020–2022 740i
- 2020–2025 840i
- X5, X6, and X7 SUVs equipped with the 3.0-liter B58 turbocharged inline-six
The B58 single-turbo six—celebrated for its smooth power delivery despite lacking a traditional oil dipstick—remains a popular engine choice. BMW’s M-specific S58 twin-turbo sibling powers the M2, M3 and M4, but the recall focuses on vehicles fitted with the B58 starter unit in question.
Timeline and next steps for owners
Dealers were notified on September 25, 2025. BMW will notify customers by November 17, 2025, and VINs for affected vehicles will be posted to BMW’s U.S. consumer website on the same date. Owners who suspect they may be affected should check the BMW recall lookup or contact their local dealer for verification and to schedule the free starter replacement.
Highlights for owners:
- Replacement starter provided at no charge.
- Affected VINs published by BMW on November 17, 2025.
- Dealers already briefed and ready to perform repairs.
Context: models, pricing and performance
While the recall is a safety matter, it's worth noting where some of these models sit in BMW's lineup. The 3 Series remains a strong seller and is available as a 2026 model with entry pricing starting at $47,500 for the rear-wheel-drive 330i and $49,500 for the xDrive version. The 330i uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder (badged 30i) producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque.
For buyers seeking six-cylinder performance, the M340i and M340i xDrive are priced from $61,700 and $63,700 respectively (before destination fees and options). BMW advertises around 386 horsepower from a single-turbo B58 in certain tune states, demonstrating why the six-cylinder remains cherished among enthusiasts. The M3 lineup—with S58 power—starts at roughly $78,400 for the 2026 model year and climbs to 503 or 523 hp in Competition variants.
Looking ahead
BMW continues to transition toward electrification—developing a full-electric M3 on the Neue Klasse (i3 Sedan) architecture—yet it plans to keep an internal-combustion M3 in the near term on CLAR underpinnings. Expect future ICE iterations to adopt mild electrification; reports suggest the manual transmission may be discontinued on upcoming generations.
For now, affected owners should focus on the recall remedy. Replacing the starter eliminates the overheating risk and ensures safe operation of these popular BMW models.
Source: autoevolution
Leave a Comment