Sudden Drive Power Loss Causes BMW To Recall EVs
BMW is issuing a recall across its entire range of electric vehicles to fix a critical software bug that could abruptly shut down the drive motor. The automaker says that the loss of power could occur with little notice—a concern that prompted the safety campaign.
Key Points
- BMW is recalling nearly 71,000 EVs across multiple model years and platforms—including the i4, i5, i7, and iX—due to a software glitch that can cause an unexpected shutdown of the drive motor.
- The issue stems from a fail-safe protocol that may incorrectly detect electrical isolation faults, triggering a power cutoff 15–20 seconds after a warning appears. Steering and braking remain unaffected.
- BMW traced the problem to phantom fault signals and has developed a software update to resolve it. The automaker estimates fewer than 1% of affected vehicles are likely to exhibit the issue.
The recall hits a broad spectrum of BMW’s current electric lineup: the 2022–2024 i4, the 2025 i4 eDrive35 and eDrive40, the 2024 i5, the 2023–2024 i7, and the 2022–2024 iX SUV. In total, the recall touches approximately 70,800 vehicles in North America.
In documents submitted to NHTSA, BMW explains the issue stems from a misconfigured software protocol that mistakenly interprets a “double-isolation fault” in the high-voltage system. When this fault is falsely detected, the vehicle initiates a fail-safe mode and shuts down the powertrain roughly 15 to 20 seconds after a dashboard warning appears. While not a complete loss of control—brakes and steering remain active—the sudden absence of motive power does pose a serious risk, especially on the highway.
BMW estimates that fewer than 1% of vehicles in the affected pool are likely to experience the fault under real-world conditions.
BMW first became aware of the problem as far back as 2021, but the automaker says early cases were too rare and inconsistent for engineers to accurately isolate the cause. As warranty claims gradually mounted, BMW was able to pinpoint that the issue likely arose from false signals in the drive system’s electrical monitoring. While the root cause of these phantom readings hasn’t been fully identified, BMW has developed a new software update designed to prevent unnecessary system shutdowns.
Owners of affected models will be notified by BMW, and dealerships will install updated software at no charge.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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