BMW Recall Could Leave Thousands of EV Owners Facing Sudden Loss of Power

BMW is recalling over 70,000 electric vehicles in the United States due to a software defect that can unexpectedly cut off propulsion while driving, raising safety concerns for owners of affected models. Vehicles included in the recall span across four EV lines and were manufactured between 2021 and early 2024.

According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue stems from electric drive motor software that may incorrectly identify a fault condition, prompting the high-voltage system to shut down. While power-assisted steering and braking are unaffected, a sudden loss of driving power—particularly at speeds above 20 mph—poses a significant crash risk. Owners may be alerted by a red warning message and symbol shortly before the shutdown occurs.

The recall affects 35,414 units of the BMW i4, 25,280 of the BMW iX, 5,484 of the BMW i7, and 4,674 of the BMW i5. Combined, these account for 70,852 vehicles potentially impacted nationwide. BMW estimates only 0.1% may actually exhibit the defect, but has issued the recall as a precautionary safety measure. The company reported it is unaware of any injuries or accidents related to the problem but received about 43 warranty claims possibly linked to these shutdowns.

As a remedy, BMW will offer a free software update either at dealerships or via an over-the-air installation. Affected vehicle owners will be notified by mail beginning August 5, 2025, and VIN information will become searchable the same day. Drivers are not advised to stop using their vehicles but should arrange for the update as soon as it becomes available to avoid potential loss of power on the road.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the U.S. Department of Transportation and BMW of North America, LLC.

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