BMW recalls PHEVs over fire risk

BMW is recalling a handful of X5s and Mini Countryman models in New Zealand following global concern about a range of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) being at risk of bursting into flames.

An international recall affecting more than 26,000 BMW vehicles built in 2020 has been issued over concerns of foreign matter entering battery cells and causing potential “thermal events”, or fires. 

The alert covers the 3 Series, 5 Series X3, X5, pictured, and the Mini Countryman. In New Zealand, 11 customers have been contacted about the problem.

“BMW Group New Zealand has commenced a voluntary safety recall to check electric componentry of 11 customer PHEV vehicles in NZ,” a company spokesman told NZ Autocar. “This includes five PHEV Mini Countryman and six BMW X5s. 

“The decision to conduct a safety recall in New Zealand was made after discovering a particular batch of batteries found in these models have the potential to malfunction. However, there has been no incident of malfunction in New Zealand to date.”

BMW says the high voltage battery in some of its PHEVs may not have been produced according to specifications.

It warns that during battery cell production at the supplier, debris may have been able to enter one or more battery cells. 

“As a result, this could lead to short-circuit. In rare cases, the short-circuit could lead to a thermal event which could increase the risk of an injury.”