BMW Urges 29,000 Hybrid Owners to Park Outside Due to Fire Hazard

, warning that a potential short circuit inside the battery pack could cause the car to catch fire, even when turned off. The automaker is advising owners to park away from structures and other vehicles until the problem is fixed. The recall affects several 2020 models, including the 330e sedan, X3 xDrive30e SUV, and the 530e and 745e sedans.

The issue stems from manufacturing debris that may have been left inside the high-voltage battery cells during production. Over time, that debris can create a short circuit, leading to overheating and a possible fire. BMW says it has received one report of a thermal event related to this defect, but no injuries or crashes have been reported.

The company is working on a software update that will monitor the battery more closely and alert drivers if a problem is detected.

Until that fix is ready, BMW is telling owners to charge their vehicles only when they can monitor the process, and to keep the battery level below 30 percent if possible. The recall is a significant one for BMW, but the company says it is moving quickly to get the update out. For now, the safest place for these cars is the driveway, not the garage.

If you own one of the affected models, expect a letter from BMW in the coming weeks with instructions on scheduling the repair.