More Than 15 Thousand BMW Cars Withdrawn For Potential Fires

BMW X4 (Photo: Drive)

JAKARTA BMW Australia announced the recall of 15,352 vehicles in the Kangaroo country. This is because the cars are problematic and have the potential for fire.

Quoting from Drive, Thursday, October 9, this was caused by damage to motor starter components. This step is part of the German manufacturer's efforts to ensure the safety and reliability of its products in the global market.

This problem is related to a motor starter on a 2.0 liter B48 series turbo gasoline engine, which is used in various BMW models such as 320i, 330i, 430i, 520i, 530i, to SUVs such as X3 and X4. According to BMW, the cause comes from the sealing of imperfect starter motors, which allow moisture to enter the unit.

These conditions can cause corrosion, keep the engine from turning on, even in extreme cases risk causing short circuits and fires. As stated by BMW Australia.

Due to factory defects, inadequate sealing of starter motors can allow moisture to enter the unit. If this happens, the corrosion can cause the engine to not turn on. In rare cases, it can also lead to short circuits resulting in overheating and the potential for vehicle fires when parking or driving," reads the official statement.

Australian transportation safety authorities believe that this damage could increase the risk of injury, death, or property damage, although to date there have been no reported fire incidents caused by the problem.

As an anticipatory measure, BMW contacted all affected vehicle owners to immediately conduct free inspections and replacement of components at the official BMW Australia dealers. In addition, BMW also provides an official website to check whether the vehicle is included in the recall list.

Affected car owners are also advised to park their vehicles in open areas until repairs are made, in order to prevent further risks. This case is not the first for BMW, previously made a major withdrawal in the United States of nearly 200 thousand BMW units.