The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
The risk
The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
The remedy
BMW will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery module free of charge. The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is completed, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. 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 530e | 2020, 2021 |
| BMW 745Le | 2021 |
| BMW i8 | 2020 |
| BMW X3 | 2020, 2021 |
| BMW X5 | 2021 |
| MINI Countryman | 2020, 2021 |
Components: 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 530e | 2020 | 2 | 3 |
| BMW 530e | 2021 | 1 | 2 |
| BMW 745Le | 2021 | 0 | 4 |
| BMW X3 | 2020 | 110 | 16 |
| BMW X3 | 2021 | 113 | 10 |
| BMW X5 | 2021 | 110 | 12 |
| BMW i8 | 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| MINI Countryman | 2020 | 6 | 2 |
| MINI Countryman | 2021 | 2 | 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