BMW again has a problem with the high-voltage batteries in plug-in hybrid vehicles. Due to possible impurities in the production process of the battery cells, there is an increased risk of fire in several series.
The total number of plug-in vehicles involved is 26,700 worldwide. One-third of these units are in customers’ hands; the rest are subject to a delivery stop. Specifically, 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 20 January to 18 September this year, are affected.
According to a Group spokesperson, the issue is “country-specific not necessarily affected all of these models”. In Germany, around 1,800 customer vehicles have to be taken to the workshop, while a further 3,500 vehicles already produced will not be delivered for the time being.
BMW is currently 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. “In rare cases, these impurities can trigger a short circuit within cells in the high-voltage storage, for example,” says the spokesperson.
BMW expects a solution “probably by the end of October”. However, as reported by kfz-betrieb, BMW has not yet been able to provide any details regarding the inspection of the high-voltage storage units or any repair measures that may be required. 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.
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