BMW recalls vehicles for fire risk, steering failure

BMW has recalled a small batch of 2020 hybrid vehicles in the Mini Countryman, X5, 7 Series, 5 Series and 3 Series model ranges due to a battery fault.

The Australian Consumer Competition Commission’s statement on Product Safety Australia says the battery cells could have been exposed to foreign particles.

At full charge, “these impurities could activate a short circuit within the high-voltage battery” it continues, "which could cause a fire, increasing the risk of an accident and injury or death to vehicle occupants and/or other road users".

The ACCC recall notice reports that 61 vehicles sold between January 29 and September 18 in 2020 are affected, publishing a spreadsheet of their Vehicle Identification Numbers here. (See our article here for guidance on finding your VIN.)

This follows another recently issued recall for 2020 BMW X5, X6 and X7 variants, due to an improperly welded front axle seam.

An incomplete weld could lead to steering failures if the right-hand-side tension strut completely separates.

“Sudden loss of steering control increases the risk of accident,” the statement says, “causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and/or other road users.”

This affects a smaller batch of 14 vehicles across the X5, X6 and X7 model ranges, sold between May 1 and October 31 in 2020.

UPDATE, 9/02/21: BMW informed us all affected owners were contacted prior to the recall and the corresponding repairs have been completed.

"As the safety of our customers and all other members of the public is of the utmost importance," it said, "BMW Group Australia proactively contacted customers prior to consultation with the ACCC to action the recall process."

"It also provided loan vehicles for customers while affected vehicles were repaired."