US urges owners of 720,000 BMW vehicles to park outside over fire risks

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has advised owners of over 720,000 BMW vehicles to park their cars outdoors while repairs are conducted, due to a fire risk associated with the vehicles. BMW has announced a recall of 720,796 vehicles, citing a potential fire hazard when the cars are parked and turned off.

Previously, these vehicles were recalled in 2024 for a water pump issue, and they now require additional repairs. The NHTSA warns that owners should ensure their vehicles are parked outside and at a safe distance from buildings and other vehicles until the issue is resolved. BMW is actively working on the recall fix and is aware of 10 fire incidents that may be related to the problem, occurring after the 2024 recall repairs were completed.

The NHTSA identified an improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump as the potential source of the issue; if exposed to water, it could short circuit and increase the risk of fire.