BMW forced to recall some 70,000 EVs in the US

BMW has to recall more than 70,000 electric vehicles in the US due to a software issue with the electric motor. It could lead to a sudden loss of propulsion while driving, increasing the risk of an accident. The i4, i5, i7 and iX model series are affected.

As is customary in the US, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the recall for the BMWs, citing as the reason a potential malfunction in the high-voltage system of the affected vehicles. Vehicles affected are the model years 2022 to 2024 of the i4 and iX, model years 2023 and 2024 of the i7, as well as the 2024 BMW i5 and the 2025 BMW i4 eDrive35 and eDrive40.

According to the NHTSA notice, there is an issue with the electric drive motor software, which “may shut down the high-voltage system, causing a loss of drive power.” However, the fix is reportedly straightforward: “The electric drive motor software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge,” the recall notice states.

Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by mail, presumably in early August. Owners can of course also check on the NHTSA website to see if their EV is affected.

nhtsa.gov