Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery; electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery (Mini and BMW)
Vehicle recall 20V-490. NHTSA received BMW of North America, LLC’s report on Aug 18, 2020.
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The short answer
NHTSA received BMW of North America, LLC’s report on Aug 18, 2020. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 23, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330e and X5 xDrive45e, 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles.
Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery.
- NHTSA’s part: Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery.
What should you do?
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 16, 2020. Although potentially affected BMW owners received interim owner notification letters, all potentially affected BMW owner vehicles have been remedied; therefore, BMW Final owner notification letters will not be necessary. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 713 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
Each model year opens its own page: every recall naming it, its owner complaints and its crash ratings.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
Who is recalling it?
- Made by BMW of North America, LLC.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt. Owners’ complaints are counted on each vehicle’s page.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 23, 2026.