BMW Recalls 720,796 Vehicles Over Parked Fire Risk

NHTSA urged owners of more than 720,000 BMW vehicles to park outside until a repair is completed.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Automotive — General

A single graphite-gray sedan parked alone on an open concrete lot under flat overcast daylight, with clear pavement and distant hedges around it. — BMW is recalling 720,796 U.S. vehicles because they can catch fire while parked and switched off, and NHTSA has urged owners to park outside, away from buildings and other vehicles. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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BMW is recalling 720,796 vehicles due to a risk of fire while the cars are parked and turned off. NHTSA urged owners to park the vehicles outside and away from buildings and other vehicles until they are repaired.

Why it matters

The recall affects a large number of vehicles across the United States and carries a direct fire hazard when cars are unattended. The vehicles were previously recalled in 2024 for a water pump issue, and BMW is still working on the fix for this recall.

The recall covers 720,796 vehicles, a figure NHTSA reflected in its urging that more than 720,000 owners park outside. The source does not provide a repair completion timeline or the share of vehicles already remedied.

The players

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

NHTSA is the U.S. federal agency responsible for vehicle safety standards and recall oversight.

BMW

BMW is a German luxury automaker that manufactures vehicles sold worldwide.

The details

BMW is recalling vehicles over a risk of fire while they are parked and turned off, and the affected cars must be repaired again after a 2024 recall for a water pump issue. Until the repair is made, owners are advised to park outside and away from buildings and other vehicles.

2024: Vehicles were previously recalled for a water pump issue.
November 13, 2026: NHTSA urged owners to park outside and BMW announced the recall.

Roadmap

NHTSA's recall oversight under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act governs how manufacturers must notify owners and remedy safety defects. This BMW action is a second recall for the same vehicles, following a 2024 water pump recall, and it shows how repeat recalls can extend the remedy process.

Owners of affected BMW vehicles should park outside and away from buildings and other vehicles until the repair is completed. The recalled cars must be taken in for repair, a second time for the same vehicles after the 2024 water pump recall.

The takeaway

Owners of recalled BMW vehicles should follow NHTSA's guidance to park outside and away from other vehicles and buildings until the repair is done. Checking recall status with the manufacturer is the practical next step for anyone who owns an affected model.