BMW Recalls Four EV Models for Potential Loss of Drive Power
The recall is the result of a software issue affecting over 70,000 vehicles and four different models, including the i4 hatchback and iX SUV.
BMW is recalling over 70,000 EVs from 2022–2025 model years because of a software issue that can cause a loss of power while driving.
The recall includes 35,414 units of the i4, 25,280 units of the iX, 5484 units of the i7, and 4674 units of the i5.
BMW will fix the software either at an authorized dealership or via an over-the-air update.
Several electric BMW models are being recalled due to an error with the software for the electric motor that can cause the cars to lose power, including while the car is in motion. Over 70,000 vehicles are included in the recall, according to documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The model with the highest number of affected vehicles is the BMW i4, with 35,414 units built from the 2022 to 2025 model years included in the recall. The BMW iX SUV is next, with 25,280 units included from the 2022 to 2024 model years, and 5484 BMW i7 sedans are involved from the 2023 and 2024 model years. Lastly, 4674 units of the 2024 BMW i5 sedan are included. The NHTSA report estimates 0.1 percent of vehicles are affected.
According to the NHTSA documents, the electric motor software “may erroneously cause a shutdown of the high-voltage system,” in turn causing the vehicle to lose power. The unwanted action comes as a result of the software mistakenly identifying a “double-isolation condition,” leading it to display a red warning message and warning symbol on the dashboard screens around 15 to 20 seconds before cutting power.
While NHTSA notes that power steering and braking are unaffected by the shutdown of the high-voltage system, it does state that if this shutdown happens while driving, it could increase the risk of a crash. NHTSA says vehicle assembly information and supplier production records were consulted to determine the dates of vehicles that might be affected.
The investigation began after a series of warranty claims in 2021 and 2022 associated with the electric drive motor. Following further investigations in 2023 and 2024, “the analyses suggested that vehicle software could not determine, whether a detected double-isolation condition was, in fact, a true double-isolation condition, which warranted a high-voltage system shutdown or, was, in fact, only a single-isolation condition,” according to the NHTSA documents. To prevent the risk of electric shock, the software then turned off the high-voltage system.
BMW decided to begin a voluntary safety recall on June 6. The automaker says it believes it has received around 43 warranty claims involving the shutdown of the drive motors at speeds over 20 mph. BMW received no reports of accidents or injuries caused by this problem.
BMW will update the software for the electric motor for affected vehicles, either at dealerships or via an over-the-air update. Owners will be contacted by mail by August 5 and instructed to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer, with the option to perform the update over the air instead. In the meantime, owners can check the NHTSA recalls website to see if their vehicle is included in the recall.
