Bugged – BMW EV Software Recall on 14,000 Vehicles

BMW of North America recalling 2022-2023 iX xDrive40, iX xDrive50, iX M60, i4 eDrive35, i4 eDrive40, i4 M50, and 2023 i7 xDrive60 vehicles because the high voltage battery electronic control unit (ECU) software may cause an interruption of electrical power. With the bug-affected software, monitoring of the high-voltage battery charging process may be affected.

This could lead to an interruption during high-voltage battery charging, a temporary loss of power while driving, or stalling. In the required NHTSA filing, BMW stated  ~1% of the recalled vehicles are affected. The potential safety problem fist occurred in China last June.

The software misdiagnosis glitch can sporadically occur irregularly within the battery management electronics, which could cause the electronic control unit to reset. If a reset occurs, this could cause an interruption of electrical power. If an interruption of electrical power occurs while driving, it may result in a brief loss of power, or stalling, which could increase the risk of a crash. However, a restart of the vehicle is possible, and would allow for continued driving. The driver would also be alerted by a warning message.

Dealers will update the high voltage battery ECU software free of charge as required by US federal regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 10 February 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or www.nhtsa.gov. for 22V944000.

US Federal law (The Safety Act) makes it illegal for a dealer to lease or deliver any new motor vehicle covered by a recall until the recall repair has been performed. Civil penalties apply to violations of the Safety Act.

BMW EV Software Recall Timeline

• On 22 June 2022, BMW became aware of a BMW electric vehicle at a dealer in China which contained a warning lamp regarding a drivetrain issue. Diagnostics indicated that the issue pointed to the high-voltage battery electronic control unit. An engineering review was initiated. Various tests and analyses were conducted including software and hardware tests, and a review of field data.
• Subsequently, laboratory and road tests were performed. Field monitoring at that time did not indicate that any vehicle had experienced a permanent (i.e., no ability to restart) loss of power. The analyses indicated that the warranty claim rate was less than 0.1%, although there were no known cases in the US market. Nevertheless, the engineering review and field monitoring activities continued.
• August and September of 2022, additional warranty cases involving a temporary (ability to restart) loss of power became known, but the rate was still well below 1%. Approximately five cases were received in the US. At that time, there were no known incidents involving a permanent loss of power. Analyses and testing continued.
• Late November, approximately five additional warranty cases in the US became known, and results from additional tests and analyses were available. It was suggested that, during certain vehicle operating conditions, an increase in cases involving loss of power could occur over time.
• Vehicle assembly information and supplier production and process records were reviewed to determine the number, and production dates, of potentially affected vehicles.
• On 13 December 2022, BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall. BMW said it has not received any reports, nor is BMW otherwise aware, of any accidents or injuries related to this safety defect.