BMW Recalls Over 330,000 Cars Due to Starter Motor Defect

According to foreign media reports, the BMW Group is recalling at least 331,000 vehicles in the United States and Germany due to defects in the starter motor. This is another setback for the German automaker, which has been plagued by costly product defect issues in recent years.

The fault is likely caused by the vehicle's starter motor corroding due to water intrusion, which could ultimately lead to a short circuit. "In the worst-case scenario," it may cause the vehicle to catch fire. The affected models are primarily those produced between 2015 and 2021.

It is reported that BMW will repair the recalled vehicles for free and will replace the starter motors and batteries in a "small number of vehicles."

Image source: BMW

BMW announced plans to recall and repair 195,000 vehicles in the United States and 136,000 vehicles in Germany. BMW also stated that affected customers should park their vehicles outdoors and maintain a safe distance from buildings until repairs are completed. However, BMW did not disclose the total number of vehicles being recalled globally or the costs associated with the repairs.

This recall event is another blow to BMW, which recalled 1.5 million vehicles last year due to defects in the braking systems produced by a certain supplier. The costs of fixing these defects have been continuously rising, leading the company to issue a profit warning.

At this critical moment, as the latest recall is announced, BMW is facing increasingly fierce competition from Chinese car brands and is readjusting its product line. At the recent Munich Motor Show, BMW unveiled the first model of its "Neue Klasse" product line—the iX3 electric SUV. It is reported that BMW has invested over 10 billion euros ($11.7 billion) in this product line.

BMW has equipped its new models with advanced software, high-performance processors, and batteries that offer longer ranges. However, to catch up with Chinese competitors like BYD, which are currently leading the mainstream electric vehicle technology trend, BMW still faces a tough battle.

Like other German automakers, BMW is trying to regain a foothold in China, the world's largest automotive market. Currently, local Chinese car manufacturers are not only gaining ground in the domestic market but also attracting many European consumers with their high-cost-performance electric vehicles.