BMW recalls 1 million cars over fire risk

German automaker BMW has issued two recalls involving more than one million vehicles that are at the risk of catching fire even when they are turned off.

The recalls include models produced from 2006 to 2011. The first recall covers more than 672,000 cars, including several BMW 3 Series models with wiring and electrical conductors in the climate control system, which controls air flow for heating and air conditioning and are vulnerable to overheating.

The second larger recall covers various models with six cylinder engines that were manufactured from 2007 to 2011. In these vehicles, the heater used to keep positive crankcase ventilation from freezing bears the risk of short-circuit, which could lead to fire.

An investigation conducted by ABC News found that in the last five years, more than 40 cases where parked BMWs spontaneously burst into flames. Some of them had been turned off for hours or even days.

BMW said that dealers will repair the vehicles for free. Owners of the targeted vehicles will be notified on December 18.