TireKick

Reported years

Electrical System owner reports: BMW 3 Series years in the records

Owner reports are bound to model year 2020. A year on this list does not mean every car has the problem.

Years we reviewed

What to inspect

  1. 1Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.
Sources and limits
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“The contact owns a 2020 BMW 330i. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the starter made an abnormal, grinding metal-like sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the starter had failed. The starter was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V056000 (Electrical System); however, the vehicle failed to start one morning post-repair. The message "Engine Cannot Start" was displayed. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the starter failure had caused damage to the battery. The dealer informed the contact that the battery needed to be replaced prior to the starter replacement. Additionally, the contact was informed that the transmission harness, signal wire, and ending harness had overheated and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 110,897.”
NHTSAcomplaintJun 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“It was discovered during a routine check that the alternator for my 2020 BMW 330i with xdrive was dying. The car had around 40,000 miles on it. Alternator was replaced with an aftermarket part.”
NHTSAcomplaintApr 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“The contact owns a 2020 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
NHTSAcomplaintApr 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“Car manufacturer (BMW) has had a recall (ID 25V636000) for over two months. It requires parking the vehicle outside away from overhanging trees, because of risk of fire. BMW knows what the fix is (replace the starter motor) but has not begun recalling vehicles. Please compel BMW to perform the repair/replacement.”
NHTSAcomplaintJan 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“Urgent fire risk when parked recall as of September 23, 2025 and received this safeyy recall letter in November 2025 along with 'remedy is unavailable.' Called local BMW dealership today and no remedy and no clue as to when will be available. Urgent fire risk safety recall that is 4 months without a remedy?! Is this acceptable? And no communication or updates available is very frustrating for a vehicle that is used daily for family, children, and work purposes. Please advise.”
NHTSAcomplaintJan 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“The contact owns a 2020 BMW 330I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System). The contact had been calling a local dealer for updates on when parts would be available and was advised that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
NHTSAcomplaintJan 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“The contact owns a 2020 BMW 330i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while attempting to use the Auto-Start and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to start up as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the Auto-Start button failed to respond while pressed. No warning lights were illuminated. Two local dealers, including BMW of Nashville (1568 Mallory Ln, Brentwood, TN 37027); were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.”
NHTSAcomplaintJan 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“The vehicle is subject to an urgent safety recall (NHTSA Recall 25V636 – engine starter fire risk when parked). BMW has confirmed that there is no available remedy and no estimated timeline for repair. Due to the open recall and fire risk warning, the vehicle has been restricted from commercial use and removed from a car-sharing platform, resulting in loss of use. BMW has stated that there is no approved interim repair, workaround, or guaranteed loaner or rental assistance. The recall remains open despite the stated risk of fire when the vehicle is parked, creating an ongoing safety concern and consumer impact.”
NHTSAcomplaintJan 2026Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“Re: 25V-636 We received a recall notice for the above notice over a month ago. No further communication has been sent from BMW in the status of new part availability and they refuse to assist with accommodations because of the scale of the recall. The letter clearly states that there is a fire risk and to not park near structures. This leaves almost everybody who owns affected cars with no option but to put themselves or someone else at risk of this car catching on fire - where else can you park a car that might catch on fire? Its been 4 months since this recall has been issued nationally and no communicated resolution or targetted timing for resolution. Im concerned this recall will potentially start a gigantic car fire and harm someone, their homes, or their neighbors' property. I find it completely unacceptable that there's not even clear resolution timing for this problem which is essentially a ticking time bomb. People with these cars need help beyond what we're able to do as individuals. Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
NHTSAcomplaintDec 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“The contact owns a 2020 BMW 330i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
NHTSAcomplaintDec 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“I own [XXX] BMW vehicle affected by a safety recall for a defective engine starter relay that may corrode, overheat, and cause a fire. The recall notice dated November 2025 states the vehicle is not safe to drive, with no remedy available, rendering it unusable and hazardous. Recall N0.25V-636. Under Kansas Lemon Law (K.S.A. 50-645 et seq.), I am entitled to a refund or replacement for this substantial defect impairing use, value, and safety, which BMW cannot repair. I demanded a full buyback at original purchase price, including fees, taxes, and incidental costs, or a comparable replacement. I requested a response within 10 business days. I sent this demand in November 2025 and have heard nothing since. The statute of limitations for lemon law claims in Kansas is four years from defect discovery, per UCC provisions for warranty breaches. If unresolved, I want to pursue legal action for breach of warranty, lemon law violations, and negligence, seeking damages, fees, and costs. Please investigate BMW's handling of this recall and failure to respond. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
NHTSAcomplaintDec 2025Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“The contact owns a 2020 BMW 330I. The contact received a recall notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V63600 (Electrical System); however, parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that parts were not available. In addition, the contact was informed that the parts would not be available for another two to ten months. The contact stated that the recall notification indicated a fire risk, which was extremely concerning. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
NHTSAcomplaintDec 2025Open source record