The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging the owners of 720,796 BMW vehicles in the United States to park outside and away from buildings and other vehicles until a new recall repair is completed, because an electrical connector on the water pump can short-circuit and start a fire — including while the car is parked and switched off.
BMW of North America announced the recall on Friday, November 13. The campaign, NHTSA number 26V-733, replaces the 2024 recall 24V-608 for the same water-pump issue: vehicles that were already repaired under the 2024 recall must be repaired again, Reuters reported from Washington.
Source: Reuters via KTWB, Nov 13, 2026
What is wrong with the cars
NHTSA's record says an improperly sealed electrical connector on the electric water pump may be exposed to water and short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire. BMW's Part 573 safety report says moisture can enter at the connector and, in rare cases, cause a thermal event or fire. BMW estimates the defect is present in less than 0.1 percent of the recalled vehicles, and says it is aware of about 10 field incidents in the US that relate or may relate to the issue, with no accidents or injuries reported.
Source: NHTSA recall record 26V-733 and BMW Part 573 report, via AutoMotor
Which models are covered
The recall covers certain BMW models built between 2012 and 2018: 2012–2016 3 Series, 5 Series and Z4; 2012–2015 X1; 2013–2017 X3; 2015–2016 4 Series Gran Coupe and 2 Series Convertible; 2014–2016 328xi Gran Turismo, 2 Series Coupe, 4 Series Convertible, 3 Series Coupe and 3 Series Sportswagon; 2015–2018 X4; and 2016–2018 X5 xDrive40e. The largest groups in BMW's report are 236,702 3 Series sedans (2012–2016), 163,728 X3s (2013–2017) and 110,102 5 Series cars (2012–2016).
Why a second recall for the same part
The 2024 recall, 24V-608, which BMW reported on August 13, 2024, fitted a protective shield to divert fluid and required inspection of the pump connector and wiring plug, with parts replaced if needed. BMW says a focused review of field information in early January 2026 found further cases in which vehicles already repaired under that recall overheated or suffered thermal overload at the pump connector. Later analysis found severe embrittlement and cracks in the connector material. BMW decided on October 28, 2026, to conduct the new voluntary safety recall, and NHTSA received the report on November 4, 2026.
NHTSA's advice is to park the vehicle outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. The record carries no do-not-drive order. The risk NHTSA and BMW describe is a fire that can start while the vehicle is parked and turned off, which is why the parking location — not driving — is the focus of the warning.
What owners should do now
The remedy is still under development and will be performed free at an authorized BMW centre when it is ready. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in December 2026, with BMW planning notification for December 25, 2026; from that date, affected VINs will be searchable on NHTSA.gov. Owners who already paid for this repair themselves before the recall notice may be eligible for reimbursement under BMW's plan. Owners can call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or check NHTSA's recall lookup.
Source: Autoblog, reporting the NHTSA recall, Nov 13, 2026
For Punjabi and other diaspora families in the US who run older BMWs — a common sight in California, New York, New Jersey and Texas driveways — the practical step this weekend is simple: check the model and year against the list above, move the car out of the garage and away from the house until BMW's fix is ready, and watch for the December letter.