BMW Group South Africa has issued a major safety recall for 12,491 vehicles across Kenya and the wider COMESA region following the discovery of faults in starter motors and defective Takata airbags.
- •The COMESA Competition Commission said the affected models face risks of water infiltration into the starter motor, which could cause corrosion, engine failure, or localized overheating — in rare cases, even fires.
- •The recall also targets Takata-supplied airbags for drivers and front passengers, which may rupture during deployment in humid and high-temperature conditions, posing serious injury risks.
- •Vehicle Owners in Kenya can confirm if their vehicles are affected via the company’s online service or by visiting authorized dealerships for inspection and replacement.
According to a previous notice by the Commission, published in mid-October, the affected models include the 3 Series (G20 Model), 4 Series, (G22 Model), 5 Series (G30 Model), Z4 (G29 Model), X3 (G01 Model), and X4 (G02 Model).
The recall comes as Kenya’s motor vehicle market shows mixed performance. According to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data, registrations dipped 11 percent from 22,632 units in January to 20,132 in May. Motorcycles continue to dominate the market, driven by the expanding boda boda sector, while demand for higher-end vehicles remains subdued amid tight credit conditions and new import duty rules introduced in July.
Saloon car registrations fell below 500 units in the first half of the year, while lorries hit a 12-month high of 600 units, signalling steady growth in freight activity.