Thousands of German-made MAN trucks recalled after dozens of blazes

Officials in Germany have ordered the compulsory recall of 37,000 trucks worldwide after a series of major fires involving vehicles built by manufacturer MAN.

Hauliers are being told to take the affected trucks off the road until safety checks have been carried out and risk having these impounded if they do not comply. The measure affects around 12,700 lorries in Germany.

The directive, issued by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), comes amid frequent dramatic media images of burning lorries on German motorways, with drivers and eyewitnesses reporting life-threatening situations.

The KBA said it was alarmed and described a "serious risk". So far, no one has been killed or injured in the blazes.

Last year, the authority started a voluntary MAN truck recall, with instructions to replace damaged oil filters and shorten oil change intervals in a bid to prevent the kind of engine failure that can trigger fires.

German broadcaster NDR reported that models from the MAN TGX and TGS ranges built between 2016 and 2019 are particularly prone to catching fire.

For its research, the consumer editorial team examined a hilly section of Germany's A7 motorway. A total of 33 lorry fires were recorded there between January 2023 and mid-August 2025. The Hesse Interior Ministry confirmed that a MAN truck was involved in 27 of these cases, amounting to almost 82% of all incidents.

A statement on a German website run by investigative journalist Udo Schmallenberg said that "well over 200 MAN TGX trucks made between 2016 and 2019 have gone up in flames after a serious engine failure."

An expert quoted said many of the fires appear to have started after oil ignited when a faulty piston rod smashed a hole in the engine casing. Worn oil pumps are also suspected of playing a part.

MAN said remedial measures have already been carried out on more than 90% of the vehicles. Nevertheless, fires are still occurring on a regular basis and businesses with MAN vehicle fleets are complaining of massive economic losses, NDR reported.

In response to a query from the broadcaster, MAN referred to "rare isolated cases" and pointed to possible maintenance deficiencies.