BMW Recalls Nearly 180,000 Vehicles Due to Fire Risk from AC Wiring Harness

[Recall Incident] BMW is recalling nearly 180,000 vehicles across multiple models due to a hazard involving the air conditioning wiring harness.

Key Development: 179,527 BMW Vehicles Recalled Over Fire Risk

BMW Brilliance Automotive and BMW (China) jointly announced an immediate recall of four models—locally produced 5 Series, imported 5 Series, imported 7 Series, and imported M5—manufactured between June 2022 and April 2025, totaling 179,527 units. This recall comes less than two weeks after BMW’s previous recall on March 11.

Critical Detail: Improper Air Conditioning Wiring Harness Routing Poses Short-Circuit Risk

The recall stems from a design flaw in the front cabin air conditioning wiring harness routing. During replacement of the cabin air filter, the wiring harness may be damaged, potentially causing a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. Among the affected models, the locally produced 5 Series alone accounts for 133,849 units, representing over 70% of the total.

Industry Impact: Frequent Recalls Intensify Brand Trust Challenges

Back-to-back recalls in a short period highlight potential gaps in supply chain management or quality control, which could undermine consumer confidence during BMW’s critical transition toward premium electric vehicles in China.