Shock for BMW Owners: Park your car outside… or it could get burned!
If you own a 2019-2022 BMW (or a Toyota Supra from the same era), get ready for a recall notice that could be the most stressful for any owner. This time, it’s not about a software bug or a minor trim issue—BMW is telling owners of nearly 200,000 vehicles to park their cars outside, not in the garage!
And the strangest part? This problem wasn’t caused by any high-tech parts… but rather a small starter relay, which costs around $50, caused all this drama.
The real meaning of “The Ultimate Driving Machine… and the Penny-Pinching Parts” is perhaps clear now.
The “Supra is a BMW” meme has now become a reality (and is literally burning).
First, let’s address the garage door—the Toyota Supra (2020-2021) is also included in this recall list. The internet has always been joking that the A90 Supra is essentially a BMW Z4 with a Toyota badge on it. Now that joke has become a reality—and a bit incendiary.
When the Supra used a BMW platform and B58/B48 engines, people commented that Toyota’s “bulletproof reliability” didn’t mesh with BMW’s “slightly strange” history. Now that the starter relay issue has put the Supra at fire risk, it proves that sharing the platform also means sharing the problem.
What’s the Real Problem?
BMW’s recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 24V-350) states that water entering the engine compartment can corrode the starter relay.
Let’s explain in simple terms:
What does a starter relay do? When you press the start button, the relay takes a small current and converts it into a larger current that is sent to the starter motor – this is what starts your car.
What does corrosion do? If water gets inside this relay, its electrical contacts corrode. These contacts then no longer conduct current properly.
How can a fire start? When a relay corrodes, its resistance increases. This generates more heat. This heat in the engine bay can ignite surrounding objects – meaning a fire can start, whether the car is off or parked.
Affected Models (2019–2022):
- BMW 330i, 330i xDrive
- BMW 530i, 530i xDrive
- BMW Z4
- BMW X3, X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i
- BMW X4, X4 xDrive30i
- Toyota Supra (2020-2021)
A “$50 Part” has tarnished BMW’s reputation
This isn’t the first time BMW has had to issue a recall due to a fire hazard. Some major past incidents include:
- EGR Coolers – A fire hazard due to coolant leaks in diesel cars.
- Blower Motor Wiring – Faulty wiring in the heating/AC system.
- Water Pumps – Pumps that suddenly fail in N54/N55 engines.
The story is the same every time: a small component fails, leading to major consequences. Despite being a premium brand, BMW frequently faces issues that appear to be caused by design or quality control errors.
People who buy the “Ultimate Driving Machine” expect even the smallest details to be top quality – but if something as basic as a starter relay fails, it raises questions.
What does “Park Outside” Really mean? And What Next?
Saying “Park outside” means that BMW engineers believe the risk of self-combustion in the car is so high that it could even damage your home.
For Owners:
- Check your VIN – Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN number to check.
- Contact your dealer – Even if parts haven’t arrived yet, file a complaint.
- Park your car outside – Do not ignore this warning. If a fire breaks out while your car was in a garage, your insurance claim may be rejected.
- Wait for a fix – BMW is still developing a solution. An interim notice will be issued first, then a final one when parts are ready.
This recall isn’t just an inconvenience – it’s a major blow to BMW’s reliability image, especially as the brand is pivoting towards its new EV future. A $50 Relay causing quarter-million premium cars to be parked outside – this story will be remembered and raises serious questions about BMW’s engineering standards.