BMW Recalls Thousands of Hybrid Vehicles Due to Battery Fire Risk

BMW has recalled several electric models, affecting almost 3,000 vehicles in the U.K.

The recall involves defects in the battery packs that can increase the risk of fire, Cars UK reported. 

The latest BMW recall affects plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models. Nearly 27,000 vehicles have been affected globally in the BMW recall, according to Cars UK. 

All vehicles in the BMW recall were manufactured from 20 January 2020 until 18 September 2020. The following models are affected:

• X1
• X2
• X3
• X5 
• 3 Series 
• 5 Series 
• 7 Series 
• 2 Series Active Tourer
• i8 
• MINI Countryman 

Cars UK says the BMW recall was announced because certain models’ battery packs were manufactured with “discrepancies” that can cause foreign pollutants to become trapped within, potentially short-circuiting the battery and creating a fire risk.

A German report says the risk occurs when the electric batteries are fully charged, according to Cars UK. BMW owners affected by the recall are being cautioned to not plug in and recharge until a fix is completed.

The batteries involved in the BMW recall could have been contaminated with foreign pollutants during manufacturing, Autocar reported. 

The BMW recall also means halted deliveries of the affected vehicles, to be sure they are free from the battery fire risk, according to Express.  

A statement explaining the BMW recall and vehicle delivery delay said both are “a preventative measure” as “internal analysis has shown that in very rare cases particles may have entered the battery during the production process. When the battery is fully charged this could lead to a short circuit within the battery cells, which may lead to a fire,” according to Autocar.

German media is broadcasting a fix is anticipated by the end of October, Autocar reported. 

According to Express, the repairs for the cars affected by the BMW recall will be offered to drivers free of charge.

This is not the first recall BMW has issued in 2020.

Another BMW recall was issued in August due to welding beads being left on batteries, according to Driving Electric. 

“BMW Group has launched a worldwide safety recall and stopped delivery of a small number of plug-in hybrid vehicles as a preventative measure to check the high-voltage battery,” BMW UK wrote in a statement, according to Driving Electric. “Internal analysis has shown that in very rare cases particles may have entered the battery during the production process. When the battery is fully charged this could lead to a short circuit within the battery cells, which may lead to a fire.

“Around 26,700 vehicles are affected worldwide including 2,930 in the U.K., some of which are already with customers with the remainder awaiting delivery,” the BMW statement said. “BMW apologises for the inconvenience caused to customers, but of course safety must come first.”

The BMW recall follows a coincidental battery fire risk in the recalled Ford Kuga PHEV.

Similarly, the Ford recall also affected around 27,000 cars worldwide and sales of the Ford Kuga were stopped. The recall issue was due to overheating batteries that posed a fire risk. Kuga drivers were cautioned against charging batteries until the problem was resolved.

The Ford Kuga recall was announced after four battery fires were started. Kuga drivers were advised to not run on electric but to use the car’s EV Auto drive mode, which is less fuel-efficient. 

To compensate Kuga owners for their fuel consumption, Ford is giving drivers a £500 fuel card and a free three-year service and maintenance plan.

Do you drive one of the models affected by the BMW recall? Tells us your thoughts in the comments below.

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