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.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
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
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.