BMW recalls 268,000 UK diesel models over risk of fire

Hundreds of thousands of diesel BMWs are being recalled across the UK after they were found to have a potentially faulty part that could cause a fire.

The problem involves a combination of normal soot deposits and high temperatures in the car’s exhaust gas recirculation module that may result in smouldering particles. The manufacturer, which is recalling 268,000 vehicles, found that it can cause the intake manifold to melt and in ‘extremely rare cases’ catch fire.

The models affected include the 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, X3, X4, X5, and X6. Any of them fitted with a four-cylinder diesel engine made between December 2014 and August 2014 or a six-cylinder diesel engine produced between July 2012 and June 2015 will be subject to the recall.

Certain 1 Series, 2 Series, 7 Series, and X1 models with four-cylinder diesel engines manufactured between March 2011 and January 2017 or six-cylinder diesel engines made between August 2010 and June 2015 will also be looked at.

For anyone wondering what they should do if they believe their diesel BMW is affected, the recall will soon be loaded on to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency website, where details of vehicles can be checked. Meanwhile, customers are advised to contact authorised BMW retailers if they have any concerns.

Worldwide, 1.6 million vehicles are believed to be involved in the recall.

A spokesperson from BMW said: “Individual cases pose no significant risk to our customers. Nonetheless, the BMW Group decided to further reduce even this minor risk by expanding the country-specific technical campaigns. It is the goal of BMW Group to support the trust and confidence of our customers in our products.”