In the never-ending chase of meeting the new emissions targets, automakers keep rolling out electrified versions. However, on of the troubling issues since electrification dawned in the automotive world, namely that of fire risks, is apparently still with us.
BMW, for one, recently issued a global recall for its plug-in hybrid models, as a problem with their batteries, believed to have been supplied by Samsung, could lead to a fire.
AutoNews reports that 26,900 vehicles, built between January 20 and September 18, 2020, are involved in this safety campaign. The affected models are the 2-Series Active Tourer, X1, X2, X3 and X5, and the petrol-electric variants of the 3-, 5- and 7-Series. The i8s made this year are also included, as is the Mini Countryman PHEV.
Most of them are in Europe, BMW said without providing a number, and it is understood that less than a third are in the hands of customers, whereas the rest are found in dealer lots.
“Internal analysis has shown that in very rare cases, particles may have entered the battery during the production process”, the automaker said, cited by the news outlet. “When the battery is fully charged, this could lead to a short circuit within the battery cells, which may lead to a fire.”
BMW’s technicians will inspect each car and the repair will be carried out free of charge. It is unknown when the recall will commence, but until the fix, BMW is asking customers not to charge their vehicles.
The latest safety recall is unrelated to a previous one that was issued two months ago and included 4,460 PHEVs, according to a spokesperson. However, “the root cause is similar: irregularities during the production process of the battery”.
Plug-in hybrids equipped with batteries made by Samsung were involved in different recalls, including the Ford Kuga, Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque.
