CAPE TOWN, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- BMW Group South Africa has issued an urgent safety recall for 12,491 vehicles across multiple series due to a potentially dangerous defect that could cause fires, even when cars are parked and switched off.

The recall affects six models sold in the country since 2016, including the 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, Z4, X3, and X4.

According to a statement released on Monday by South Africa's National Consumer Commission (NCC), the recall concerns a defect in the starter motor.

"According to BMW, their product controls and customer complaints have shown that in the identified vehicles, water can enter the starter motor at certain points and cause corrosion," said the commission.

"This may prevent the engine from starting. This can lead to a short circuit and, subsequently, local overheating of the starter," the NCC said. "In the worst case, this may result in a vehicle fire, which can occur even when the vehicle is parked."

Consumers have been advised to avoid driving through deep water that might submerge the starter motor. "In the unlikely event of a thermal event, damage to persons or property may occur," the NCC warned.

The commission also urged affected owners to visit their nearest authorized BMW dealership to have the starter motor replaced, adding that the replacement will be carried out at no cost to the consumer. ■