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BMW recalls 1-million cars due to fire risk, recommends parking outside

Detroit - BMW is recalling more than 1 million cars and SUVs in two US recalls due to the risk of fires under the hood, and it's recommending that they be parked outdoors until repairs are made.

A spokesman for the German automaker says the risk of fire is very low in both cases, but the vehicles should stay outside "in an abundance of caution." In both recalls, repairs are expected to start on December 18.

Risk of fire

Documents posted Friday by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that a heater for the positive crankcase ventilation valve can overheat and cause the valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire even when the vehicle is not in use. No injuries have been reported. Dealers will replace the heater.

The heater is designed to prevent the valve from freezing in cold temperatures, BMW spokesman Hector Arellano-Belloc said. But irregularities in manufacturing can cause corrosion can lead to overheating.

The largest of the recalls covers over 740 000 models from 2007-2011: All have 6-Cylinder engines.
328i 
328xi 
328i 
xDrive 
525i 
525xi 
528i 
528xi 
530i 
530xi 
X3 3.0si 
X3 xDrive30i 
X5 xDrive30i
Z4 3.0i
Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles 

Also included is the 2008-2011 128i. 

The other recall covers nearly 673 000 cars including: 2006-2011 model years
323i 
325i 
325xi 
328i 
328xi 
330i 
330xi 
335i
335xi and M3

Also covered are the 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is, as well as 2009-2011 335d.

Injuries reported

Wiring for the heating and air conditioning system can overheat and cause connectors to melt, also increasing the fire risk, even when vehicles are unattended. Four drivers reported injuries. BMW says a wiring connection can corrode and in rare cases cause fires.


Dealers will replace the wiring and connectors. The US recalls total about 1.4-million vehicles, but some are included in both, BMW said.


About 80 000 vehicles also are being recalled in Canada for the crankcase ventilation valve heater, BMW said. The company is reviewing whether the wiring recall will apply to Canadian vehicles.

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