BMW Acts Fast on Limited EV Battery Recall

BMW efficiently recalls four electric vehicles due to a battery welding flaw, with prompt action preventing wider issues. Only one affected car reached a customer.

A welding defect in the battery cells of a few BMW electric vehicles prompted a recall, though only one had reached a customer. BMW has swiftly identified and is addressing a battery cell issue in its i4 and i5 models, averting potential larger problems.

The recall affects a mere four vehicles in the U.S., encompassing three i4 models (including the i4 xDrive40 and i4 M50 variants) and one i5 eDrive40, all from the 2024 lineup. BMW has confirmed that only one of these cars was with an owner, who was contacted on February 16 for corrective action. The remaining three vehicles will undergo repairs before delivery.

BMW’s resolution involves replacing the high-voltage battery modules in the impacted vehicles with new ones. This quick response was possible due to an internal quality review on February 1, 2024, which revealed inadequate welding in a battery module.

Further investigation traced the issue to a flaw in the laser welding process used to connect the battery cell to its terminal. This defect could potentially lead to disconnection, overheating, and, in extreme cases, a fire risk. Fortunately, BMW’s proactive approach means the recall was efficiently managed without any reported accidents or injuries, and the issue is largely resolved.