BMW Plug-In Hybrid Recall: Starter Relay Fire Risk

BMW is recalling 29,119 plug-in hybrid vehicles because corrosion in the engine starter relay may cause overheating and a short circuit, increasing fire risk. Campaign 26V441000 covers certain 330e, 530e and 740Le models from the years listed below. BMW advises owners to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete.

What the recall means for owners

BMW: 330E IPERFORMANCE, 530E IPERFORMANCE, 530E XDRIVE IPERFORMANCE and other models

Dealers will replace the engine starter free of charge. NHTSA’s current record says letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 3, 2026, and another letter will follow after the remedy is confirmed. This supersedes the earlier planned August 28 notification date; the first letter does not establish that the repair is ready for every vehicle.

Official record — checked September 16, 2026

• NHTSA recall ID: 26V441000
• Vehicles listed: BMW 330E IPERFORMANCE (2018, 2017, 2016); BMW 530E IPERFORMANCE (2020, 2019, 2018); BMW 530E XDRIVE IPERFORMANCE (2020, 2019, 2018); BMW 740LE XDRIVE IPERFORMANCE (2019, 2018, 2017)
• Potentially affected: 29,119
• Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
• Report received: July 8, 2026
• Owner notification: Safety-risk letters mailed September 3, 2026; another letter will follow after the remedy is confirmed.
• Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 530e xDrive, 2017-2019 740Le xDrive, 2018-2020 530e iPerformance, 2016-2018 330e iPerformance vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
• Safety consequence: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
• Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 3, 2026. Another letter will be mailed after the remedy is confirmed. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning August 28, 2026.

What owners should do next

Follow BMW’s instruction to park outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is complete. Ask an authorized BMW dealer about repair availability for campaign 26V441000; BMW customer service is 1-800-525-7417.

Use the official NHTSA recall lookup or contact the manufacturer or an authorized dealer to confirm recall status for your vehicle’s VIN. A matching model and year alone do not establish that a vehicle is included or that its repair is complete.

Official sources

• Current NHTSA campaign data for 26V441000, checked September 16, 2026; supports the current facts and notification wording above.
• Manufacturer Part 573 report submitted Jul 08, 2026. The report records the filing at that date; later status updates are attributed to the current campaign data.

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