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BMW and Mini Plug-In Hybrid Battery Fire Risk

NHTSA campaign 20V490000 · Reported Aug 18, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

critical How serious is it? About this label

A short-circuited battery increases the risk of a fire. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	20V490000
Reported to NHTSA	Aug 18, 2020
Manufacturer	BMW of North America, LLC
Part affected	Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
Vehicles covered	5 model/year combinations, model years 2020–2021
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

In certain plug-in hybrid BMW and MINI models, loose metal welding beads inside the hybrid battery could form a conductive path between battery cells that are not supposed to be connected to each other. This stray connection could cause the battery to short-circuit. Dealers will inspect the battery modules and replace them if necessary, and the repair is free of charge for the owner.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your vehicle is affected. 2. Contact a BMW or MINI dealer, or call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. 3. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules for free.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 20V490000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (5)

2020 BMW X3
2020 MINI Countryman
2021 BMW 330E
2021 BMW X3
2021 BMW X5

Who to contact

BMW — official BMW recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-525-7417

MINI — official MINI recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-275-6464

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

BMW Electrical Recalls Involve Battery Fires and Starter Connection Problems · all 28 BMW recalls in this area
MINI Electrical Recalls Address Hybrid and Cooper SE Battery Fires · all 4 MINI recalls in this area

Other BMW X5 recalls

Jul 1, 2026BMW, Mini Integrated Brake System May Malfunctionhigh
Sep 25, 2025BMW X5, X6, X7 Starter May Overheatcritical
Oct 2, 2024BMW Brake System May Lose Power Assisthigh
Sep 18, 2024BMW and MINI Brake System Weld May Failhigh
Aug 13, 2024BMW X4, X5 Water Pump Connector May Shorthigh
Aug 1, 2024BMW Starter Motor Overheating May Cause Engine Firecritical

All 42 X5 recalls

Official notice

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Summary: 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.
Safety risk: A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.
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.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.