BMW is recalling 14,000 EVs to update the battery software
Enlarge / Some BMW i4s are being recalled to fix their battery-management software. (credit: BMW)
BMW is the latest automaker to issue a recall for some of its electric vehicles. It has identified a problem with the battery-management software for the traction batteries in some i4 and i7 sedans, as well as some iX SUVs, that could result in a car temporarily losing power. Consequently, it wants to update the software in those cars' battery-electronic control units.
The problem was first brought to BMW's attention last June with a report from a Chinese BMW that experienced a drivetrain warning light in one of its EVs. This was traced to the high-voltage battery ECU, at which point BMW started investigating the problem. By late November, it had identified 10 warranty cases in the US involving a temporary loss of power.
By this time, BMW's engineers decided that the problem had the potential to occur in other vehicles, and in mid-December BMW decided to issue a recall.