Drivers of nearly 721,000 BMW vehicles must park outside due to a recurring water pump fire risk, federal regulators announced on November 13.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued an urgent consumer alert covering 720,796 vehicles manufactured between the 2012 and 2018 model years. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the electric water pump can allow moisture to enter, leading to a short circuit while the vehicle is parked and turned off.
“If you have one of these vehicles, you should park your vehicle outside and away from buildings and other vehicles until the vehicle is repaired,” the agency said in a statement reported by Yahoo Finance.
Moisture can creep inside the connector because the specific part might not have a tight enough seal. This triggers an electrical short circuit that can spark a fire while the car sits quietly in a driveway with the ignition completely off.
The affected automobiles were recalled in 2024 for a water pump issue, according to Detroit Free Press. Vehicles that received repairs during the earlier campaign must now be fixed again because the initial remedy proved insufficient.
The new campaign, designated NHTSA 26V-733, replaces the 2024 recall 24V-608, which covered the same number of U.S. vehicles. The earlier recall focused on liquid from the engine’s crankcase ventilation system that could drip onto the electric water pump’s connector. Dealers inspected the pump and connector, replaced them if damaged, and installed a splash shield.
BMWBLOG reported that testing revealed the water pump connectors themselves turn brittle and crack over time. A splash shield installed during the 2024 campaign cannot prevent moisture penetration when the plastic connector cracks underneath.
Autoracing1 said that the recall includes the 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, X1, X3, X4, X5 xDrive40e, and Z4 models. BMW confirmed the affected manufacturing spans 2012 through 2018.
The specific models listed in the filings include the 2012–2016 3 Series, 2012–2016 5 Series, 2012–2015 X1, 2012–2016 Z4, 2013–2017 X3, 2014–2016 2 Series coupe, 2014–2016 3 Series sportswagon, 2014–2016 328xi Gran Turismo, 2014–2016 4 Series convertible, 2014–2016 4 Series coupe, 2015–2016 2 Series convertible, 2015–2016 4 Series Gran Coupe, 2015–2018 X4, and 2016–2018 X5 xDrive40e.
BMW is aware of about 10 field instances in the United States that relate to the issue, all occurring in vehicles previously repaired under the 2024 campaign. Mint reported that no crashes or injuries have been linked to these incidents.
A permanent repair is under development by engineering teams at the automaker. The Times of India confirmed that no remedy is ready for installation yet.
At present, no remedy is yet available for this issue. We are working intensively to make one available as soon as possible. However, out of an abundance of caution, customers are already being informed about the issue and its possible consequences. As soon as the remedy becomes available, they will be notified again.
A BMW spokesman
Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed beginning December 25, 2026. Affected vehicle identification numbers and license plate numbers will become searchable on NHTSA.gov/Recalls on that same date, according to Around Prague.
The new campaign replaces recall 24V-608 from 2024.
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