Recall 26V441 affects 29,119 2016-2020 BMW 530E Xdrive Iperformance, 740LE Xdrive Iperformance, 530E Iperformance, and 330E Iperformance vehicles for starter-relay corrosion. Park outside and away from structures. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
The concern is a starter relay short circuit and fire risk. Until the remedy is complete, park outside and away from structures. Schedule service as soon as BMW opens the repair. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
BMW is recalling 29,119 2016-2020 530E Xdrive Iperformance, 740LE Xdrive Iperformance, 530E Iperformance, and 330E Iperformance vehicles because the engine starter relay can corrode, overheat, and short circuit. A short circuit can increase the risk of fire, so owners should park outside and away from structures until BMW makes the free dealer repair available.
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What's wrong?
The engine starter relay in these 2016-2020 BMW 530E Xdrive Iperformance, 740LE Xdrive Iperformance, 530E Iperformance, and 330E Iperformance vehicles is an electrical switch for the starter system. When the car starts, the relay helps send power to the starter so the engine can turn over. It is a small part, but it carries enough current that heat matters.
On affected BMW vehicles, that relay can corrode. Corrosion raises electrical resistance inside the relay, which makes the part run hotter than intended. If heat keeps building, the relay can overheat and short circuit instead of switching power cleanly through the starter circuit.
There is no warning sign before failure. BMW did not list a driver-visible symptom before the relay overheats or short circuits, so a normal start before the defect shows up does not rule out the recall.
Who's affected?
Spans four BMW sedan variants across 2016-2020, all tied to the same starter relay in the electrical system.
| 2018 BMW 530E Xdrive Iperformance | electrical system |
|---|---|
| 2019 BMW 530E Xdrive Iperformance | electrical system |
| 2020 BMW 530E Xdrive Iperformance | electrical system |
| 2017 BMW 740LE Xdrive Iperformance | electrical system |
| 2018 BMW 740LE Xdrive Iperformance | electrical system |
| 2019 BMW 740LE Xdrive Iperformance | electrical system |
| 2018 BMW 530E Iperformance | electrical system |
| 2019 BMW 530E Iperformance | electrical system |
| 2020 BMW 530E Iperformance | electrical system |
| 2017 BMW 330E Iperformance | electrical system |
| 2018 BMW 330E Iperformance | electrical system |
| 2016 BMW 330E Iperformance | electrical system |
| Units affected | 29,119 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
The concern is a starter relay short circuit and fire risk. Until the remedy is complete, park outside and away from structures. Schedule service as soon as BMW opens the repair. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2020 BMW 530E Xdrive Iperformance, 740LE Xdrive Iperformance, 530E Iperformance, or 330E Iperformance is included in this recall.
- Wait for BMW's owner letter, expected August 28, 2026, before scheduling the repair.
- Park outside and away from structures until the engine-starter replacement is complete.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer once the repair opens, and ask for the free engine-starter replacement that addresses the starter relay overheating and short circuit risk.
- Reference recall number 26V441 when you call BMW customer service or the dealer.
What happens at the repair
For now, BMW tells owners to park outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is complete. The final dealer repair has not opened yet. Once BMW makes it available, a BMW technician will replace the engine starter at no charge. The issue involves corrosion in the engine starter relay, which can let the relay overheat and short circuit. Owner letters are expected to be mailed August 28, 2026.
Timeline
| July 8, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V441?
Recall 26V441 covers 29,119 2016-2020 BMW 530E Xdrive Iperformance, 740LE Xdrive Iperformance, 530E Iperformance, and 330E Iperformance vehicles with an engine starter relay that can corrode, overheat, and short circuit, increasing fire risk.
What should I do if my 2016-2020 BMW 530E Xdrive Iperformance, 740LE Xdrive Iperformance, 530E Iperformance, or 330E Iperformance is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific BMW is included in recall 26V441. If it is, park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete, then schedule the free engine starter replacement at a franchised BMW dealer.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. BMW dealers will replace the engine starter free of charge for vehicles included in recall 26V441.
Is it safe to park my BMW in a garage before the repair?
No. BMW tells owners to park outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is complete. The starter relay can short circuit and increase fire risk, so keep the vehicle away from garages, carports, homes, and other buildings before the dealer repair.
When will BMW notify owners about recall 26V441?
BMW expects to mail owner notification letters on August 28, 2026. VINs involved in this recall will also become searchable beginning August 28, 2026, so check your VIN and contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 if you need help before the letter arrives.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V441000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V441 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V441000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on July 26, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →