- BMW is recalling U.S. vehicles over AC wiring routing.
- Damaged harnesses may short circuit and cause heat.
- No injuries reported, and dealers will fix it for free.
Cable routing is something most adults deal with from time to time. What most of us don’t think about is how cable routing works inside our cars. BMW is thinking about it today, though, because nearly 59,000 cars have wiring routed in a manner that could cause a fire. The affected vehicles include some of the brand’s most important models.
According to BMW, a total of 58,713 cars could have a wiring issue that pops up only during cabin filter service. The models include the 2025 M5 Touring, 2023-2025 7-Series, and 2024-2026 5-Series. Both the 5-Series and 7-Series populations also include the electric i5 and i7 variants.
More: Over 42,000 Hyundais Need Wiring Fix For Rollaway Risk
The recall dates back to reports from March 2025, when BMW learned of “several field incidents in which thermal events were noted,” the automaker wrote to the NHTSA. Those incidents included multiple 2023 and 2024 7-Series sedans, with reported dates spanning late 2024 through early 2025.
While it conducted plenty of inconclusive tests during 2025, it decided between January and February of this year that cabin filter replacement could damage the wiring harness. As a result, it chose to issue the recall. The company says it is unaware of any injuries or accidents related to the issue.
Let’s not blow this too far out of proportion. BMW specifically says in its NHTSA filing that this condition likely affects less than 0.1 percent of the recall population. In other words, the automaker is recalling nearly 59,000 cars to fix what it believes will be fewer than 59 units. That’s a serious commitment to safety, particularly since the situation has not resulted in any reported fires or other incidents.
Owners can confirm if their vehicle is in the population at NHTSA.gov or via their local dealership. Those inside the population will have a dealer technician inspect their wiring harness. Should it need replacing, that’s what customers will get. Otherwise, BMW tells its technicians to add a retaining strap and bracket to prevent future issues. Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed on April 13.