Problems with a fire risk on BMW: affected models and engines

In 33 models from BMW there are 23 documented faults with a fire risk. The most important: EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire, EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire and electric water pump failure (BMW campaign in the US over fire risk).

Reviewed on 31 October 2026How we work

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the BMW models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentBMW B47EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fireYes: the EGR valve cooler can suffer internal coolant leaks which, mixed with soot and oil, can reach combustion temperatures; BMW has launched several technical campaigns since 2018 to inspect and replace it because of the risk of engine fire.Repair (garage): €500–€1,500
In Serie 1 F20, Serie 2 F22, Serie 2 Active Tourer F45, Serie 3 F30, Serie 4 F32 and Serie 5 F10 and 4 more models
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentBMW N57EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fireYes: like the N47 and B47, the N57 is covered by BMW's service campaign for EGR cooler leaks, which can mix coolant with soot and oil to combustion temperatures. BMW checks free of charge the 6-cylinder engines built between July 2012 and June 2015 because of the fire risk.
In Serie 3 E90, Serie 3 F30, Serie 5 F10, Serie 7 F01, X3 F25 and X4 F26 and 4 more models
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW N20Electric water pump failure (BMW campaign in the US over fire risk)The N20 has an electric water pump whose connector can suffer ingress of blow-by liquid; a short circuit can cause local overheating and, very rarely, a fire. BMW recalled 720,000 vehicles in the US in 2024, not including the European Union or Spain.
In Serie 1 F20, Serie 2 F22, Serie 3 F30, Serie 4 F32, Serie 5 F10 and X1 E84 and 2 more models
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW N62 / N63Additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fireIn 2011 BMW recalled 5, 6 and 7 Series, X5 and X6 models built between 2007 and 2011 because of the additional turbo coolant pump: moisture, a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. In 2012 there was another campaign for a crack in the pump, with a more robust version.
In Serie 5 F10, Serie 5 Gran Turismo F07, Serie 6 F12/F13, Serie 7 F01, X5 E70 and X6 E71
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)Cells with a damaged cathode in the high-voltage battery (fire risk)Yes: in September 2022 Safety Gate listed a BMW recall for a manufacturing defect in the high-voltage battery of the iX, i4 and i7 built from 5 July 2021 to 8 July 2022. A supplier may have damaged a cathode plate and a fragment may have entered a cell; the defective modules are replaced, and BMW asked owners not to charge or drive the car until then.
In i4 G26 and iX I20
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW i3BMW i3 high-voltage battery recall because of fire riskAccording to the fiches-auto.fr fiche, the i3 battery was the subject of a recall in October 2022 because of a fire risk; the fiche does not detail the scope, and we have not been able to verify it from an official source.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 3 G202025 campaign for corrosion of the starter motor relay (risk of fire)Yes: in September 2025 BMW recalled, among other models, the 2019 to 2021 330i (G20) because the starter motor relay can corrode, overheat and cause a short circuit with a risk of fire even when the car is parked.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 4 G22Starter motor corrosion from water ingress (fire risk)Yes: in September 2025 BMW recalled 4 Series cars (G22, G23 and G26 among them) because the starter motor can let in water and corrode; in the worst case, a short circuit overheats the part and can cause a fire. The press reports that replacing the starter is free of charge.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 4 G22Wear of the RSW22 starter motor relay contact (fire risk)Yes: in 2026 BMW extended the starter motor recall because, in the RSW22 model with a water-resistant reinforced relay, the magnetic contact wears and builds up deposits, which can cause false starts or a short circuit with fire risk. It affects the 4 Series from 2020, and the starter is replaced with one from a different supplier.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 5 G30Two successive campaigns over a fire risk in the starter motor relay (2025 and 2026)Yes: BMW recalled the 5 Series G30 twice for the same risk in the starter motor relay - which can corrode or build up deposits, overheat and cause a short circuit with a risk of fire - first in September 2025 and again in July 2026 for more recent cars.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X3 G01Two successive campaigns for a fire risk in the starter motor relay (2025 and 2026)Yes: BMW recalled the X3 G01 twice for the same risk in the starter motor relay, which can corrode or build up deposits, overheat and cause a short circuit with a risk of fire, first in September 2025 and again in July 2026 for more recent cars.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X3 G45Loosely tightened positive cable on the starter-generator (fire risk and stalling)BMW recalled X3 G45s built between 9 July 2024 and 3 February 2025 because the positive (B+) cable of the starter-generator may not have been tightened properly. This increases contact resistance; the joint can overheat and cause a fire, or the engine can stall while the car is moving.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X5 G05Overheating of the starter motor and its relay, with a risk of fireSince 2024 BMW has launched several campaigns that include the X5 over the starter motor: insufficient software protection, electrical contacts that overheat, a relay that corrodes through water ingress and a relay with deposits from contact wear. In the worst case there can be a short circuit and a fire, while driving or shortly after parking.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X6 G06Overheating of the starter motor and its relay, with a risk of fireSince 2025 BMW has launched several campaigns that include the X6 over the starter motor: electrical contacts that overheat, a relay that corrodes through water ingress and a relay with deposits from contact wear. In the worst case there can be a short circuit and a fire, while driving or shortly after parking.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X7 G07Overheating of the starter motor and its relay, with a risk of fireSince 2024 BMW has launched several campaigns that include the X7 over the starter motor: insufficient software protection, electrical contacts that overheat, a relay that corrodes through water ingress and a relay with deposits from contact wear. In the worst case there can be a short circuit and a fire, while driving or shortly after parking.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 1 E87Loose positive battery connection, with risk of overheating and fireGebrauchtwagenberater.de documents a KBA campaign for the 1 Series E87 over a defect in the positive battery connection that can work loose and cause a failure of the vehicle's electrics, with a risk of fire.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 1 F202025 recall for starter motor fire riskYes: in September 2025 BMW recalled, among other models, the 1 Series F20/F21 built between September 2015 and the end of its production, because of a starter motor that can let in water, corrode and short-circuit, with a fire risk even when the car is parked.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 3 E90Campaign over fire risk from the heater fan connectorYes: in January 2021 BMW recalled around 430,000 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 cars in Germany (more than half a million worldwide) because the wiring connector of the heater fan regulator can corrode, cause a short circuit and set the vehicle on fire, even when parked. An earlier campaign, in autumn 2017, had already covered a first batch of cars in the United States.Repair: €0
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 5 E60Positive battery cable badly secured, with risk of overheating and fireBMW recalled the 5 Series E60 in May 2012 because the cover over the positive battery connection could be badly fitted, making it more likely to work loose, with excessive electrical resistance, starting problems and a risk of fire.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X5 F15X5 F15 power steering control unit: recall for fire risk and loss of assistanceAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (56 for the 2013-2018 X5), a December 2016 recall of the power steering electronic control unit is cited, with a risk of electrical fire and loss of assistance. The campaign is recorded only by the listing; we have not been able to cross-check it.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareBMW X3 F25Power steering control unit: fire risk and loss of assistance (2011-2016 production)Yes: BMW recalled cars built between 2011 and 2016, including the X3, because the electric power steering control unit could be faulty, with a risk of fire even when parked and of losing assistance while driving.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareBMW X5 E70Power steering control unit: loss of assistance and fire risk (X5 E70 from 2011-2013)Yes: Gebrauchtwagenberater.de reports a power steering assistance fault on X5 E70s built in April-May 2012, and a European alert also covers BMW's electric power steering control unit from 2011 to 2016, with a fire risk.
- High severityFrequency: RareBMW Z4 G29Relay and starter motor with fire riskTwo European campaigns affect the Z4 starting system: one from 2025 for water in the starter relay (2015-2021) and one from 2026 for wear of the RSW22 starter contact (2020-2026), both with a fire risk.

By BMW model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Frequently asked questions

What faults with a fire risk do BMW cars have?

Which BMW models have the most problems with a fire risk?

BMW Serie 5 F10 (4 faults), BMW X3 F25 (4 faults), BMW X5 E70 (3 faults) and BMW Serie 1 F20 (3 faults).

Which BMW engines have faults with a fire risk?

BMW B47 (1 fault), BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) (1 fault), BMW N20 (1 fault), BMW N57 (1 fault) and BMW N62 / N63 (1 fault).