BMW recalls 26,700 PHEV models because of fire risk

High-voltage battery issues in plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) have seen the BMW Group announce its second recall for this reason, Car-Recalls EU

reports.

The new recall with internal codes “0061650500” (BMW PHEV series), “0061660500” (Mini Countryman), and “0061670500” (BMW i8) affects 26,700 vehicles globally – about a third in customers’ hands with the rest subject to a stop on delivery, reports say.

It’s unknown at this stage whether Australia and New Zealand will be affected by the recall which seems to be mainly in Europe.

“Depending on the country, the recall may not apply to all of these models,” a BMW Group spokeswoman told the German kfz-rueckrufe.de website.

Due to possible impurities in the production process of the battery cells, there is an increased risk of fire in several series, Electrive reports.

PHEV versions of the X1, X2, X3, X5, 2-series Active Tourer, 3-series, 5-series, 7-series, i8 Coupé and Roadster, as well as the Mini Countryman from the construction period January 20 to September 18 2020, are affected, Electrive

adds.

In Germany, about 1800 customer vehicles have to be taken to the workshop, while a further 3500 vehicles already produced will not be delivered as yet.

BMW is sourcing its battery cells from CATL and Samsung SDI, and from 2024 Northvolt will be another cell supplier.

The “impurities in the production process of the battery cells” have probably only occurred at one of the two current suppliers, which is why only some of the vehicles are affected, Electrive

says.

“In rare cases, these impurities can trigger a short circuit within cells in the high-voltage storage, for example,” it cites the BMW Group spokesperson as saying.

BMW expects a solution “probably by the end of October”.

According to the report, there is only a fire hazard if the batteries are fully charged, which is why the recall announcement also asked customers to stop charging their PHEVs by cable, so although the E mode is only of limited use, there is no fire hazard, Electrive adds.

In August, a recall of 4460 units of the BMW 3 Series, 3 Series Touring, X1, X2, X3, X5, 2 Series Active Tourer, 7 Series, 5 Series and 5 Series Touring and Mini Countryman series was announced.

During internal inspections, it was found a welding bead on the high-voltage accumulator from the component period March 13 to August 6, 2020 had not been completely removed during production.

“In rare cases – depending on the shape, size and position of the welding bead – the contamination during the initial charging process could cause a malfunction, such as a short circuit in the high-voltage storage tank,” the manufacturer said at the time.

Meanwhile, In South Korea, the recall of more than 25,000 Hyundai Kona Electrics there has been confirmed.

According to reports, Hyundai may voluntarily recall 77,000 Kona Electrics worldwide.

Further information on the recall is not yet fully available.

Electrive

also reports that Ford is recalling all Kuga PHEVs to garages across Europe.