BMW recalling over 1 million vehicles worldwide due to fire risk

BMW has issued a worldwide recall for various models spanning from the 2006 to 2013 model years, totaling some 1.03 million cars. The announcement comes in the wake of reports that the vehicles present a potential fire risk. 

Over 1 million BMW vehicles in various markets will be recalled due to a reported risk of fire  

According to a story by Reuters, models included in the recall include the 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, X3, X5, and Z4. The problem centers around the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve, which uses the engine’s vacuum to regulate the one-way movement of air through the crankcase. 

A short circuit in the PCV’s heater can reportedly increase the risk of fire, albeit in extremely rare cases. According to BMW, the issue affects 917,106 vehicles in the U.S., 98,000 in Canada, and 18,000 in South Korea. This is the third recall by the German automaker over the same concern, following similar announcements in 2017 and 2019. 

Some models previously recalled have had their PCV heaters replaced with a better design

The latest advisory comes in the wake of reports that some BMW vehicles previously recalled and repaired still ended up catching fire. An investigation by the company traced the cause to supplier production issues, which could lead to PCV valve heater damage during real-world driving conditions.

BMW said it has not received reports of accidents or injuries related to the latest recall so far. Many vehicles repaired in prior recalls will need a new fix which the company is currently developing, expected to be sufficiently available by mid-2022. Some units which have been previously recalled under similar circumstances are no longer affected, since they have been fitted with an improved PCV valve heater design.  

There are no reports so far of Philippine-spec models included in the recall

Pending repairs to be undertaken, the carmaker says that the cars are still safe to use for now. However, it advises owners to stop driving if they see smoke coming from the engine compartment or else notice the smell of burning plastic during normal operation.     

Read about the burning issues surrounding your favorite car brands at Philkotse.com.