The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.
The risk
A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 16, 2020. Although potentially affected BMW owners received interim owner notification letters, all potentially affected BMW owner vehicles have been remedied; therefore, BMW Final owner notification letters will not be necessary. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW 330e | 2021 |
| BMW X3 | 2020, 2021 |
| BMW X5 | 2021 |
| MINI Countryman | 2020 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 330e | 2021 | 4 | 5 |
| BMW X3 | 2020 | 110 | 16 |
| BMW X3 | 2021 | 113 | 10 |
| BMW X5 | 2021 | 110 | 12 |
| MINI Countryman | 2020 | 6 | 2 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2020
105 of the 782 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2020 concerned the electrical system; BMW of North America, LLC filed 347 campaigns in all.
| 20V812000 28 Dec 2020 | Marion Body Works Inc. |
| 20V805000 21 Dec 2020 | SVI Trucks |
| 20V801000 18 Dec 2020 | Keystone RV Company |
| 20V790000 17 Dec 2020 | General Motors, LLC |
| 20V798000 17 Dec 2020 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 20V779000 15 Dec 2020 | Rosenbauer America |
| 20V783000 15 Dec 2020 | Halcore Group, Inc. |
| 20V781000 15 Dec 2020 | Ducati North America |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2020