BMW recalls 180,000 cars in China over fire risk

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(FILES) BMW cars are displayed during the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai on April 18, 2023. The Chinese arm of German automaker BMW will recall nearly 180,000 vehicles due to a possible wiring fault in air conditioning units that poses a fire risk, China’s market regulator said on March 24, 2026. The recall applies to 133,849 domestically manufactured vehicles and 45,678 imported models produced between 2022 and 2025. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP)

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The Chinese arm of German automaker BMW will recall nearly 180,000 vehicles due to a possible wiring fault in air conditioning units that poses a fire risk, China’s market regulator said on Tuesday.

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The recall, which is effective immediately, applies to 133,849 domestically manufactured 5 Series vehicles produced between December 5, 2023, and April 12, 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said.

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It also includes 45,678 imported 5 Series, 7 Series and M5 vehicles produced between June 2022 and April 2025, the regulator said.

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“The vehicles within this recall scope have a front cabin air conditioning wiring harness that, due to improper wiring, may become damaged during after-sales air filter replacement,” SAMR said.

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“In extreme cases, this could cause a short circuit, posing a fire risk.”

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BMW will inspect and resecure the air conditioning wiring harness for the recalled vehicles, free of charge.

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