German luxury carmaker BMW said on Monday it was recalling some 1.3 million cars worldwide due to battery problems that could in extreme cases result in a fire.

"In order to carry out a quality measure, BMW is recalling all BMW 5 and 6 Series models of the previous generation, built between 2003 and 2010 and still on the market, for repair at authorised dealers," the firm said in a statement.

It pointed to potential problems with the battery cable cover, which it said may be incorrectly mounted.

"This can result in the electrical system malfunctioning, the vehicle failing to start and, in some cases, to charring or fire," the statement added.

BMW said it was unaware of any injuries resulting from this fault and asked owners to visit repair workshops for a 30-minute refit.

Approximately 1.3 million vehicles worldwide are affected, the firm said. (AFP)