A recall affecting 318,495 BMW and Toyota vehicles for starter motors that may overheat and cause a fire.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Supra, 2022-2025 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2023 5 Series, 2022-2026 Z4, 2023-2024 4 Series Gran Coupe, 4 Series Convertible, 4 Series Coupe, 3 Series, 2021-2025 X4, and 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
Affected VINs should be searchable now at the NHTSA website.
Here is the relevant information from the NHTSA Recall notice:
NHTSA ID Number: 26V438
Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 318,495
Estimated percentage with defect: 0.1%
Descriptive Information
Toyota Supra
Approximately 270 vehicles contain an engine starter of a certain production configuration.
BMW 230i, 230i xDrive
Approximately 11,479 vehicles contain an engine starter of a certain production configuration.
BMW 530i, 530i xDrive
Approximately 11,991 vehicles contain an engine starter of a certain production configuration.
BMW Z4 sDrive30i
Approximately 2,177 vehicles contain an engine starter of a certain production configuration.
BMW 430i Gran Coupe, 430i xDrive Gran Coupe
Approximately 9,552 vehicles contain an engine starter of a certain production configuration.
BMW 430i Convertible, 430i xDrive Convertible
Approximately 8,048 vehicles contain an engine starter of a certain production configuration.
BMW 430i Coupe, 430i xDrive Coupe
Approximately 5,270 vehicles contain an engine starter of a certain production configuration.
BMW 330i, 330i xDrive
Approximately 32,094 vehicles contain an engine starter of a certain production configuration.
BMW X4 xDrive30i
Approximately 26,866 vehicles contain an engine starter of a certain production configuration.
BMW X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i
Approximately 210,748 vehicles contain an engine starter of a certain production configuration.
Basis for recall population determination: Vehicle assembly and service information, and supplier production records were used to determine the specific dates of potentially affected vehicles.
Recall component difference to non-recall component: Potentially affected vehicles contain an engine starter of a certain production configuration.
Although the estimated percentage of involved vehicles is depicted as 0.1%, the calculated number is much lower, but the portal does not allow a value of less than 0.1%.
Description of defect or noncompliance:
This safety recall involves the engine starter. Due to unexpected wear on an internal component, the starter may not function properly. In some cases, this could lead to a non-starting engine.
Description of the safety risk, including crash, fire, death, injury:
In an extreme case, this could cause a thermal event or fire when starting the engine, or while the engine is running.
Description of the cause:
None stated.
Identification of any warning that can occur:
None stated.
Chronology
Please refer to BMW’s January 30, 2026 Part 573 report assigned NHTSA Recall ID 26V-056.
Subsequent to the implementation of 26V-056, and in the normal course of quality processes, the field continued to be monitored. Engineering investigations continued with a focus on remaining groups of vehicles produced with 4-cylinder engines that were not yet subject to a recall campaign, including vehicles equipped with starters produced by the supplier at a different production facility. At that time, BMW was not aware of any field incident involving vehicles with these starters.
In February, a parts collection campaign and associated tear down analysis was initiated for field vehicles, including vehicles in which no complaints had been received.
In February 2026, a non-US field incident (Feb 2026) involving a 2023 BMW 4 Series Convertible became known. In March, a non-US field incident (Mar 2026) involving a 2023 BMW X3, and a US field incident (Nov 2025) involving a Model Year 2021 BMW X3, became known.
A reexamination of earlier analyses and testing was conducted but was inconclusive.
Between March and June, starters were returned from the field, disassembled, tested, and evaluated. Preliminary information suggested that starters produced at the different production facility could also be subject to the condition that was the focus of 26V-056, i.e., over time, and after a large number of starting attempts, a build up of metallic material inside the starter due to abrasion could occur.
Vehicle assembly and service information and supplier production records were reviewed to determine the number and production dates of potentially affected vehicles.
On July 1, 2026, BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall.
BMW has not received any reports, nor is BMW otherwise aware, of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.
For Toyota Supra vehicles, as of July 1, 2026, based on a diligent review of records, Toyota’s best engineering judgment is that there are zero (0) Toyota Field Technical Reports or warranty claims that have been received from U.S. sources that relate or may relate to this condition in the involved Toyota vehicles.
Remedy
Description of Remedy
Remedy Type: Replace
Description of remedy program:
The engine starter will be replaced with one involving a different design.
Owners will be notified by First Class mail and instructed to take their vehicle to an authorized BMW / Toyota dealer to have the remedy performed for free.
How remedy component differs from recalled component:
Recalled Component: Engine Starter – p/n: 5A33FB9 / 5A33FC0 / 8671503 / 8693976 / 8671504 – model dependent
Description of recall schedule:
Dealer notification is planned to begin and end on July 8, 2026.
Owner notification is planned to begin and end on August 28, 2026.
