BMW recalls more than 720,000 cars because electric water pump may catch fire

BMW on Tuesday said it is recalling 720,796 vehicles in North America because they are equipped with an electric water pump that may short circuit as a result of faulty installation, posing a fire hazard. 

According to recall documents posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit."

More specifically, "blowby-liquid from the positive crankcase ventilation system may collect on the intake air hose," and eventually "drip onto the plug connector," potentially seeping in, causing an electrical shortage.