Software problem: BMW recalls cars

BMW has recalled numerous e-cars worldwide. A software error can cause the battery to shut down. The problem can be fixed remotely with a software update, according to BMW.

Battery can shut down

According to BMW, an internal quality check found that some of the affected vehicles were experiencing misdiagnoses on the memory management control unit. These, in turn, could lead to the battery shutting down or charging processes being aborted in rare cases. If this occurs while driving, BMW says a loss of power or the vehicle slowly coasting to a stop is to be expected. Accidents related to the aforementioned problem have not been reported so far, according to BMW. The problem can be resolved in acute cases by restarting the vehicle. If it is to be permanently fixed, however, an update of the responsible software is necessary.

No recall in Germany

Depending on local legal regulations, BMW has implemented the information on the software error either as part of an official recall or as part of a technical action with notification of all persons who have purchased a corresponding vehicle. As there is no mandatory recall of the vehicle in Germany in the aforementioned case, such a recall has not been carried out in this country. Those affected will nevertheless be informed by BMW. In China, Japan and the USA, on the other hand, a recall has been launched. The vehicles affected are the iX, i4 and i7.

The problem that has now occurred is not the first that BMW has observed in its e-cars. Several recalls have already been launched in recent years. Most recently, cell modules had to be replaced in some vehicles in August due to the risk of short circuits.