BMW Recalls Almost 59,000 Luxury Models Over Fire Risk

BMW of North America has recalled almost 59,000 of its largest, most technologically advanced models for a fire risk issue. The fault relates to an air-conditioning wiring harness that could short-circuit in these models, increasing the risk of a fire. This is the second recall for a fire risk issued by BMW this month. Previously, 87,000 BMWs were recalled because of engine starters that could catch fire. The wiring harness recall is unrelated to that one and affects a different variety of models, so here’s a closer look.

BMW Recall at a Glance

• No. of vehicles affected: 58,713
• Risk: Fire hazard
• Cause: A/C wiring harness could become damaged and short-circuit
• Fix: Replacement of wiring harness, if necessary
• Cost: Free of charge

What Models Are Affected?

According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the fault has been traced to an electrical wiring harness for the air conditioning that can become damaged when the cabin air filter is replaced. Specifically, the recall notice mentions that a housing cover screw could damage the wiring harness. Replacement of this filter is routine and typically completed when a vehicle goes in for its annual service. 

According to BMW, the following models and model years are affected by this recall:

• 2024-2025 BMW 750e
• 2025-2026 BMW 550e
• 2023-2025 BMW 7 Series
• 2024-2026 BMW 5 Series
• 2024-2026 BMW i5 eDrive40
• 2024-2025 BMW i5 M60
• 2025-2026 BMW i5 xDrive40
• 2024-2025 BMW i7 eDrive50
• 2023-2025 BMW i7 xDrive60
• 2025-2026 BMW M5
• 2025 BMW M5 Touring

The exact number of vehicles affected totals 58,713 units, and they’re some of BMW’s most expensive sedans and wagons; both M5 variants cost over $120,000, for example. Of all the models listed, the most number of vehicles potentially impacted are 5 Series models, with a population of 20,438 mentioned.

All the BMW models mentioned here share the CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform, along with advanced electrical components. This is why one safety flaw often affects several related models within a manufacturer’s lineup.

What Owners Should Do Now

BMW says dealers will inspect and replace the electrical wiring harness and add a retaining strap/bracket to it, if required. This remedy won’t cost owners anything, but you should take your car in as soon as it’s requested. Owner letters will be sent out on April 13, 2026, and anyone seeking further information before that can call BMW’s customer service on 1-800-525-7417. Alternatively, you can check if your vehicle is affected by entering the VIN on the NHTSA’s website. 

While BMW has not issued a Do Not Drive notice for these vehicles and no injuries or accidents have been reported, it’s always advisable to park vehicles at risk of a fire away from houses or other structures, where possible. It may be possible to have your electrical wiring harness replaced before owner letters are sent out in April by contacting your local dealership.

This recall highlights how seemingly simple routine maintenance on modern vehicles can result in a safety hazard. Fortunately, only a small percentage of models are affected, and the actual risk of your vehicle catching fire appears to be low.