BMW, MINI Hybrid Battery Debris Fire Risk
critical How serious is it? About this label
A short-circuit in the battery increases the risk of fire or injury. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 20V601000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Sep 30, 2020 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Part affected | Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery |
| Vehicles covered | 9 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
Certain plug-in hybrid BMW and MINI models, along with the BMW i8, may have debris that got into one or more cells of the high-voltage hybrid battery during manufacturing. This debris can cause a short-circuit inside the battery. A short-circuit like this raises the chance of a fire starting in the vehicle, or of someone being injured.
What you should do
2. Until the repair is done, do not charge the vehicle, and avoid manual mode, sport mode, or the shift paddles.
3. Contact a BMW dealer at 1-800-525-7417; the battery inspection and any needed replacement are 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 20V601000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (9)
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
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
Official notice
- Component
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
- Summary
- 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.
- Safety risk
- The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
- 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.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.