Home › BMW › 530E › 20V601000

BMW and MINI plug-in hybrid batteries may catch fire

NHTSA campaign 20V601000 · Reported 2020-09-30 · BMW of North America, LLC

critical How serious is it? About this label

Serious — a battery short circuit can cause a fire or injury; you may still drive, but only with the restrictions BMW gives: do not plug in to charge, and do not use sport mode, manual mode, or the shift paddles until the repair is done.

What's wrong, in plain English

Debris may have gotten inside the hybrid battery cells of these BMW and MINI plug-in hybrids while they were being built. That debris can cause a short circuit in the battery, which can start a fire. BMW will inspect the battery and replace the battery module if needed, at no cost, but the full fix was still being developed. Until your vehicle is repaired, BMW says do not charge it and do not use sport mode, manual mode, or the shift paddles.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle is part of recall 20V601000.
2. Stop charging the vehicle and avoid sport mode, manual mode, and the shift paddles until it has been repaired.
3. Contact your BMW or MINI dealer, or BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417, to arrange the free inspection and battery module replacement.

Affected vehicles (9)

2020 BMW 530E
2020 BMW I8
2020 BMW X3
2020 MINI Countryman
2021 BMW 330E
2021 BMW 530E
2021 BMW X3
2021 BMW X5
2021 MINI Countryman

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

Why do BMW batteries and starters keep catching fire? · all 28 BMW recalls in this area
Which MINI models have high-voltage battery fire recalls? · all 4 MINI recalls in this area

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.