BMW Recalls Numerous Electric Vehicles That May Experience Power Loss While Driving | Carscoops

      A software problem may cause various BMW electric vehicles to experience a loss of drive power for 15-20 seconds.

      BMW is issuing a recall for over 70,000 electric vehicles due to this issue, affecting several models including the i4, i5, i7, and iX produced between 2022 and 2024.

      The recall arises from a software glitch that can trigger a fail-safe shutdown.

      Specifically, BMW is recalling 70,852 EVs because their electric drive motor software might disable the high-voltage system. This failure can lead to a temporary loss of driving power, increasing the likelihood of an accident.

      The affected models comprise the 2022-2025 i4, the 2022-2024 iX, and the 2023-2024 i7. Additionally, 4,674 i5s from the 2024 model year are also included in the recall.

      As noted in a safety recall report, the electric drive motor software may mistakenly recognize a double-isolation condition. Should this happen, the high-voltage system will go offline for roughly 15-20 seconds after displaying a warning message. During this period, drivers will experience coasting, but the vehicle's steering and braking systems will remain functional.

      BMW began its investigation into this matter in 2021, initially suspecting that debris might have entered the electric motors and affected their operation. However, a limited number of claims at that time made it challenging to identify the root cause.

      Despite the challenges, the automaker dedicated years to studying the issue and eventually considered the potential for a loss of propulsion stemming from a detected double-isolation condition. Their findings indicated that the vehicle's software could not accurately differentiate between an actual double-isolation condition, which would justify a high-voltage shutdown, and a single-isolation condition. This distinction is crucial because a double-isolation condition triggers a shutdown to prevent electric shock or a thermal risk.

      BMW reports approximately 43 warranty claims related to this issue, which involved a loss of propulsion when driving over 20 mph (32 km/h). Fortunately, the company is not aware of any associated accidents or injuries.

      To resolve this issue, BMW plans to update the electric drive motor software through an over-the-air update. Customers can also opt to have this software installed at dealerships, and notifications to owners are expected to be sent out on August 5.