BMW - Unprofessional conduct from a Premuim Brand

On 7 Oct 2025 I was informed via an email by BMW SA that: ''The quality of your BMW is our top priority. For this reason, the BMW Group continuously carries out product checks. It has been discovered that the starter motor of the engine in your BMW needs to be replaced. While the number of known incidents relating to faults with the starter motor remains extremely low, BMW (South Africa) (Pty) Limited (“BMW SA”) is conducting a recall to replace the affected component. This recall is required as water may enter your vehicle's starter motor at certain points and cause corrosion, which may prevent the engine from starting. This condition can, in extremely rare instances, also lead to a short circuit in the starter motor, which could result in localised overheating at the starter motor. In the worst case scenario, although unlikely, this may result in a fire in the vicinity of the starter motor, which can occur even when the vehicle is parked. In the interest of your safety and that of other road users, please immediately arrange a workshop appointment with a BMW Service Partner. The replacement of the starter motor will be performed at no cost to you.''

As indicated above, I immediately contacted BMW Centurion to arrange this. They claimed to not have received any notification regarding this campaign and would get back to me. They never did. Details of this ''campaign'' also later came up on the BMW App and I made another appointement with BMW Centurion to have the problem resolved. Only to be told be BMW Centurion - on 31 Oct 2025 - that they do not have sufficient stock to comply.

Yet, today, in SA People news the following featured: ''On 6 October 2025, BMW Group South Africa notified the NCC of a recall affecting 12,491 vehicles, including various models in the 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, Z4, X3, and X4 ranges, released in South Africa from 2016.

BMW’s submission detailed a risk where water could enter the Starter Motor, causing corrosion, which may lead to a short circuit, local overheating, or potentially a vehicle fire, even when the car is parked. Owners were also warned to avoid driving through water that could submerge the Starter Motor."

Thus, this is now reneral knowledge that BMW has launched this recall, yet they are unable to comply. I find this unacceptable from a premium brand such as BMW!