BMW Warns 29,000 Plug-In Hybrid Owners: Park Outside Due to Fire Risk

BMW is telling owners of nearly 29,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles to keep them parked outdoors and away from structures until a safety recall is completed. The warning, issued this week, stems from a potential battery defect that could cause an electrical short and lead to a fire, even when the car is turned off and not plugged in.

The recall covers certain 2020 through 2024 model year BMW X1, X2, X3, X5, and 3 Series plug-in hybrids, along with the 2023-2024 BMW 7 Series and 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre. According to documents filed with federal safety regulators, the issue involves a battery cell separator that may have been damaged during manufacturing.

If the separator fails, the battery can overheat and ignite.

BMW says it is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the problem, but the company has received a handful of reports from customers who noticed smoke or smelled burning near their vehicles. The fix involves a software update that can detect the fault and alert the driver.

Until that update is applied, owners are advised to charge the battery to no more than 30 percent and park away from garages or other cars. Dealers will begin notifying owners next month, and the repair will be performed at no cost.