BMW Recalls Hundreds of Thousands of Vehicles for Fire Risk

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

Almost three-quarters of a million BMWs are being recalled. The automaker is clawing the vehicles back for an issue with the water pump electrical connection that could increase the fire risk.


The recall impacts several models, including the 2012-2015 X1, 2013-2017 X3, and 2015-2018 X4, among others. In total, more than 720,000 vehicles are involved in the recall. BMW said the problem relates to the vehicles’ water pumps, which may have incorrect sealant. Over time, the pumps may be susceptible to water at the point of connection, which could cause a short and, potentially, a fire.


BMW will inspect and replace the pumps and connectors as needed. Dealers will also install a shield to divert any liquid that drops onto the pump from above. The automaker will notify affected owners by mail in October, instructing them to take their cars to a dealer for repair.


It’s always interesting to see recalls for older model vehicles. Some of the models on the list have been on the road for more than a decade, with many seeing their last recall several years ago. The X1’s last recall was in 2020 for a faulty airbag inflator, which itself was a replacement for the now-infamous Takata airbags that caused so many issues.

[Images: BMW]


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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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4 of 22 comments
  • 2ACL 2ACL on Aug 21, 2024
    Looks to be a N20 & (maybe) B48-specific issue. I'll take it as another sign that I did well to steer my brother away from a used 320i.
  • VoGhost VoGhost on Aug 21, 2024
    ICE is so dangerous!
    • Carson D Carson D on Aug 22, 2024
      The same incompetents who can't hook up a 12-volt pump motor without creating a fire risk are going to be designing and building electric cars that will burn with the intensity of the sun.
  • Ilo65710513 $91K for a Dodge Durango...should be called a Dodge Deranged.
  • ChristianWimmer I love how in this day and age something as simple as frigging car door handles have tons of electronics and built in complications stuffed into them…. It’s a frigging door handle! Why make them complicated?
  • Douglas How does the road/wind noise (and CVT groaning) compare to the outgoing Kicks? I had a 2023 Kicks SV as a rental car recently for about 4 weeks, and actually grew quite attached to it. Around town it was a fun commuter, but long interstate trips were loud and tiring.
  • Daniel J This was an odd duck. I knew folks who had these with over 200k miles on them and others that chucked a wobbly at 50k. I just liked the fact you could get an SS with lots of HP.
  • Dale I want to know if Kicks just keep getting harder to find? Do you think that Kicks will bring you peace of mind?
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