On the 25th, BMW reported to Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism about a recall involving approximately 23,650 vehicles, including the BMW 220i, manufactured between July 2020 and February 2024. The recall is due to concerns that the starter, responsible for initiating the engine, may ignite due to insufficient durability in some components. As the starter undergoes repeated use for engine starts and idling stops, wear can result in the accumulation of wear particles, posing severe malfunction risks.

The Ministry highlighted that continuing to use affected vehicles could lead to an inability to start the engine or, in the worst cases, fires occurring while operating the vehicle or during idling at traffic signals. Thus far, four incidents of related malfunctions have been reported, three of which involved fires occurring while the vehicles were in operation or stopped at red lights. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

This recall underscores the crucial need for roadside safety measures and timely vehicle maintenance. As the issue impacts a significant number of cars, it raises concerns about the manufacturing processes and quality control standards in the automotive sector, especially in ensuring the safety of vehicle components. BMW's proactive response to address these issues should mitigate potential hazards and restore consumer confidence in affected models.