BMW Warns Nearly 30,000 Hybrid Owners: Park Outside, Away From Your Home

BMW has issued an urgent safety warning to nearly 30,000 owners of its plug-in hybrid models, advising them to park their vehicles away from their homes and other structures. The German automaker says a manufacturing defect in the high-voltage battery pack could cause a fire, even when the car is turned off and not charging.

, including popular models like the 330e, 530e, X5 xDrive45e, and others from the 2020 to 2024 model years.

The problem stems from battery cells that may have been contaminated during production. Over time, that contamination can lead to internal short circuits and thermal runaway, a chain reaction that causes the battery to overheat and ignite. BMW says it is not aware of any crashes or injuries linked to the defect, but the company is taking no chances.

Owners are being told to park outside and not charge their vehicles until a fix is available.

BMW plans to begin notifying affected owners by mail starting in early January. The company is working on a software update that will monitor the battery more closely and alert drivers to any potential issues. Until then, the safest place for these hybrids is far from the garage.

If you own one of the affected models, check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website or your local BMW dealer for more details.