Quick answer
BMW Park-Outside Recall: Which 720,796 Cars Are In, and Why the 2024 Fix Doesn’t Count
BMW’s new recall covers the same 2012–2018 four-cylinder cars it fixed for a water pump fire risk in 2024. There’s no repair yet, so the advice is to park outside. Here’s every model, year and build window from BMW’s own filing.
CheckedNov. 132026
The short answer
If you drive a 2012–2018 BMW with the four-cylinder engine, probably yes. BMW is recalling 720,796 vehicles because the electrical connector on the water pump can let moisture in, short-circuit and, in rare cases, catch fire. NHTSA says the risk is there while the car is parked and turned off.
These are the same cars BMW recalled in 2024 for the same pump. If yours was fixed then, it needs the new repair too. BMW says about 10 U.S. incidents happened in cars that had the 2024 fix.
There’s no repair yet. Until there is, NHTSA and BMW say to park outside, away from buildings and other cars. BMW says you can keep driving it.
At a glance
- Recall
- NHTSA 26V733, filed by BMW Nov. 4, 2026; NHTSA alert Nov. 13
- Vehicles
- 720,796: 2012–2016 3 Series, 5 Series, Z4; 2012–2015 X1; 2013–2017 X3; 2014–2016 2 Series and 4 Series; 2015–2018 X4; 2016–2018 X5 xDrive40e
- Engine
- BMW’s N20 or N26 four-cylinder: 228i, 328i, 428i, 528i, Z4 sDrive28i, X1/X3/X4 28i, X5 xDrive40e
- The risk
- Water pump connector shorts and can catch fire, even parked and off
- Reported
- About 10 U.S. incidents, all in cars repaired under the 2024 recall; no crashes or injuries
- What to do now
- Park outside, away from buildings and other cars. Driving is OK, BMW says
- The fix
- Free at a BMW dealer, but it’s still being developed
- Check your VIN
- On NHTSA.gov/recalls from Dec. 25, 2026; letters mailed starting then
- Phone
- BMW 800-525-7417 · NHTSA 888-327-4236
- Last checked
- Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, against the sources at the end of this page
Is your BMW on the list?
These are BMW’s own counts from the report it filed with NHTSA, biggest first. “Built” is the production window for each body style. The BMW code is the internal name from BMW’s bulletin to dealers, handy if you shop for parts or read forums.
| Model | Versions | Model years | Built | BMW code | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Series sedan | 328i, 328xi | 2012–2016 | June 9, 2011 – July 14, 2016 | F30 | 236,702 |
| X3 | sDrive28i, xDrive28i | 2013–2017 | Feb. 15, 2012 – Aug. 25, 2017 | F25 | 163,728 |
| 5 Series sedan | 528i, 528i xDrive | 2012–2016 | April 6, 2011 – Oct. 27, 2016 | F10 | 110,102 |
| X1 | sDrive28i, xDrive28i | 2012–2015 | March 8, 2011 – June 30, 2015 | E84 | 62,954 |
| 4 Series coupe | 428i, 428i xDrive | 2014–2016 | March 12, 2013 – June 28, 2016 | F32 | 29,693 |
| 4 Series Gran Coupe | 428i, 428xi | 2015–2016 | Feb. 28, 2014 – July 1, 2016 | F36 | 23,790 |
| 4 Series convertible | 428i, 428i xDrive | 2014–2016 | June 10, 2013 – June 28, 2016 | F33 | 20,082 |
| X5 xDrive40e (plug-in hybrid) | xDrive40e only | 2016–2018 | July 6, 2015 – June 30, 2018 | F15 | 14,808 |
| X4 | xDrive28i | 2015–2018 | March 6, 2014 – March 6, 2018 | F26 | 14,061 |
| 2 Series coupe | 228i, 228xi | 2014–2016 | July 10, 2013 – June 22, 2016 | F22 | 12,742 |
| 3 Series Gran Turismo | 328xi Gran Turismo | 2014–2016 | June 12, 2013 – June 29, 2016 | F34 | 12,709 |
| 2 Series convertible | 228i, 228xi | 2015–2016 | Sept. 16, 2014 – March 13, 2015 | F23 | 6,824 |
| Z4 roadster | sDrive28i | 2012–2016 | Feb. 7, 2011 – Aug. 22, 2016 | E89 | 6,621 |
| 3 Series Sports Wagon | 328i, 328xi | 2014–2016 | Feb. 26, 2013 – June 28, 2016 | F31 | 5,980 |
| Total | All with the four-cylinder N20 or N26 engine | 2012–2018 | Feb. 7, 2011 – June 30, 2018 | 14 body styles | 720,796 |
BMW’s FAQ for dealers says the cars in this recall are the ones with the N20 or N26 four-cylinder engine. Other models aren’t included, it says, because their pumps are a different design.
So a 335i, 340i, 535i or a diesel isn’t in this filing, and only the xDrive40e version of the X5 is.
“But mine was already fixed”
That’s the catch with this one. In August 2024, BMW recalled the same 720,796 cars (recall 24V608). The fix was a shield to keep fluid from the engine’s crankcase vent hose off the pump’s connector, plus an inspection and, if needed, a new pump or harness. Letters went out March 28, 2025.
BMW’s new filing tells what happened next:
- April 24, 2025: a 5 Series outside the U.S. overheated at the connector after getting the fix.
- June 24: a U.S. 3 Series smoldered at the same spot, also after the fix.
- January 2026: a review found more overheating in fixed cars; BMW started pulling damaged pumps back.
- March to September: lab tests found cracks and brittle plastic in the connector itself.
- Oct. 28: BMW decided to recall the cars again.
In other words, the 2024 shield dealt with fluid dripping onto the connector. The new problem is the connector material breaking down over time. BMW’s FAQ answer to “Do I need to have it repaired again?” is one word: yes.
Until there’s a fix
Parking outside is the whole point of this recall. NHTSA’s alert says the fire risk is while parked and turned off, so a car that catches fire in an attached garage can take the house with it.
- Park outside, away from your house, carport and other cars. NHTSA says “away from buildings and other vehicles.”
- You can drive it. BMW’s FAQ for dealers answers “Can I continue to drive my vehicle?” with “Yes.”
- Tell anyone else who drives or parks it, BMW asks, including a valet or a parking garage at work.
- Don’t book a dealer visit yet. BMW says you have to wait for its letter: the parts and procedure aren’t ready.
- Keep your receipts if you pay to fix the pump yourself before the recall letter. BMW’s filing says owners who did may be eligible for reimbursement under its plan.
When you’ll hear from BMW
NHTSA says owner letters will be mailed beginning Dec. 25, 2026, and VINs and license plates will be searchable on NHTSA.gov/recalls from that day. BMW will send a second letter when the repair is ready.
Moved since you bought the car, or bought it used? BMW says to register it at bmwusa.com/myBMW, or update your address at bmwusa.com/recall, so the letters reach you.
How rare is a fire?
BMW told NHTSA it expects the defect in less than 0.1% of the cars. On 720,796 cars, 0.1% would be about 720, so BMW’s estimate is fewer than that (our math). It knows of about 10 U.S. incidents and no crashes or injuries.
Small odds, but a garage fire is a big loss, which is why both BMW and NHTSA say to park outside for now.
Watch
0:40What we don't know yet
- What the new repair will be and when parts arrive. BMW’s filing says the remedy “is under development.”
- Whether BMW’s own lookup at bmwusa.com/recall shows this recall for your VIN before NHTSA’s search opens on Dec. 25.
- NHTSA’s summary also names a “3 Series Coupe,” but BMW’s filing lists no coupe count; check your VIN when the lookup opens.
- What BMW’s reimbursement plan pays back if you replace the pump yourself before the letter arrives.
When any of this is confirmed, it goes into the page and the update history below.
Questions people ask
Is my BMW part of the water pump recall?
If it’s a 2012–2016 328i, 328xi, 528i or Z4 sDrive28i, a 2014–2016 228i or 428i, a 2012–2015 X1, a 2013–2017 X3, a 2015–2018 X4 xDrive28i or a 2016–2018 X5 xDrive40e, it likely is. BMW recall 26V733 covers 720,796 vehicles; NHTSA’s VIN search shows yours from Dec. 25, 2026.
Can I still drive my BMW?
Yes. BMW’s FAQ for dealers says you can keep driving it. The fire risk NHTSA describes is while the car is parked and off, so park it outside and away from buildings and other cars until it’s repaired.
My BMW was fixed under the 2024 recall. Do I need another repair?
Yes. The new recall replaces recall 24V608, and BMW says cars repaired under it need the new remedy. The roughly 10 U.S. incidents BMW knows of all happened in cars that had the 2024 fix.
When will the BMW recall fix be available?
BMW hasn’t said. Its filing says the repair is under development; you’ll get a first letter starting Dec. 25, 2026, and a second one when parts are ready.
Is the BMW X5 included?
Only the X5 xDrive40e plug-in hybrid from the 2016–2018 model years, 14,808 of them. Other X5 versions aren’t in BMW’s filing.
Which engine is affected?
BMW says the affected models are the ones with its N20 or N26 four-cylinder engine: the 228i, 328i, 428i, 528i, Z4 sDrive28i, the X1, X3 and X4 28i, and the X5 xDrive40e. Other models use a pump of a different design.
How do I contact BMW about the recall?
Call BMW at 800-525-7417, or NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236. Register the car at bmwusa.com/myBMW so the letters reach you.
