BMW said last week it is recalling more than 1 million vehicles in North America for two different issues involving fire risks. The company said it might expand the recalls to other countries.
The company has filed two recalls with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recalls affect versions of the 3-series, 5-series, X5, X3, and Z3, respectively.
The first recall, which includes more than 740,000 vehicles, covers a part of the engine that can short-circuit and melt. This increases the chances of a fire, even when the car isn’t in use.
BMW noted both recalls followed recent meetings with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The second recall, which is for approximately 673,000 vehicles, deals with faulty wiring for the heating and air conditioning system. There’s a possibility it could overheat, causing the electrical connectors to melt and increasing the risk of fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
BMW said they had received four incident reports related to this issue, with three reports of injuries.
In both recalls, local dealers will replace the necessary parts starting Dec. 18. If you own one of these vehicles, contact your local BMW dealer beginning December 18.
NHTSA allows you to check your vehicle for recalls at any time. Here is the link: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When a manufacturer initiates a recall, whether, for a minor problem or a bigger one, they send a letter or e-mail to car owners instructing them to take their vehicle to a dealership to have replacement parts installed, free. If you have received such a notice, read it carefully and call the dealership for details. If the letter tells you to stop driving the vehicle (very rare), stop driving it and contact the dealer immediately.
You should always check out any recall on your vehicle for your personal safety and to ensure that the repairs are made in a timely fashion.
