BMW eDrive Gen5: motor síncrono de excitación eléctrica (EESM) and baterías de 70 a 113 kWhHigh-voltage battery (hybrids and EVs)
Protective pads for the high-voltage battery not fitted (2021 i4) on the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)
Why this rating?
Critical severity: It can destroy the engine or gearbox, or affects safety.
Frequency rare: This is a preventive recall for a very small batch: electrive.net reports 315 potentially affected cars (69 in Germany) and the DVSA 133 in the UK. BMW clarified that not all the pads are missing, but that some may not be fitted.[2][3]
Symptoms
- No noticeable symptom: the risk only shows up in a serious side impact.[1]
Why it happens
The protective pads for the high-voltage battery may not have been fitted during assembly. BMW explained that some loose part could be missing and that it would check and replace any that were missing.[1][2][3]
If it is not repaired: In a serious side impact, the high-voltage battery can be damaged and produce a short circuit that increases the risk of fire.[1][2]
Affected cars and years
Built from 15 September to 30 November 2021. Spain is among the countries that reacted to the alert, along with Denmark, France, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Sweden.[1]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| i4 eDrive35 and eDrive40 rear-wheel drive (2021-) | since 2021 |
Models fitted with the affected versions
BMW
- BMW i4 G26since 2021
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Checking the affected cars and fitting any missing pads.[2][3]
The sources do not give the cost; electrive.net only says that BMW checks and replaces any missing parts.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
How to prevent it
- It cannot be avoided by the driver: the solution is the manufacturer’s check.[2]
Recalls, campaigns and claims
RecallBMW; Safety Gate (UE) · January 2022 · Ref. A12/00124/22
Protective pads for the high-voltage battery possibly not fitted
BMW i4 (type G4C) built from 15/09/2021 to 30/11/2021. Voluntary withdrawal; BMW checks the cars and replaces any missing pads. electrive.net: 315 potentially affected cars, 69 in Germany; DVSA R/2022/020: 133 in the UK.[1][2][3]
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my i4 has the pads?
Only the dealer can check with the chassis number; BMW checks the cars in the batch and replaces any that are missing.[2]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) faults
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTraction batteryCells with a damaged cathode in the high-voltage battery (fire risk)Yes: in September 2022 Safety Gate listed a BMW recall for a manufacturing defect in the high-voltage battery of the iX, i4 and i7 built from 5 July 2021 to 8 July 2022. A supplier may have damaged a cathode plate and a fragment may have entered a cell; the defective modules are replaced, and BMW asked owners not to charge or drive the car until then.
- High severityFrequency: RareTraction batteryBattery cell and module monitoring circuit out of specificationThe DVSA records three very small recalls for the high-voltage battery: a badly installed cable bridge in the cell supervision circuit (CSC) of the i4, iX and iX3 (2023), defective modules in an i4 built in December 2023 (2024), and a module frame made with excessive force in the i4 and iX that could end in a thermal event (2025).
- Medium severityFrequency: RareChargingCombined charging unit (CCU) damaged at the factoryIn August 2023 BMW recalled a batch of i4, iX and iX3 cars built in 2022 in the UK because, due to a supplier’s production error, a damaged combined charging unit could have been fitted. The unit is replaced. The DVSA does not describe how it shows up.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareElectronicsBMU battery management software on the iX3 that delays high-voltage circuit dischargeIn 2021 BMW recalled the iX3 built from 22/7/2019 to 6/5/2021 because, due to an intermittent software fault in the battery management unit (BMU), after a very serious accident the overvoltage could damage the 12 V network and disable the emergency call, the warnings and the lights. It is fixed by reprogramming the unit in about 40 minutes.
More faults with the high-voltage battery on other engines and cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonFord Mustang Mach-EHigh-voltage battery contactors overheating: loss of powerYes: the main contactors of the Mach-E's high-voltage battery can overheat with repeated rapid charging and hard acceleration, and the car may lose traction or fail to start. The 2022 software update was not enough, and in December 2023 Ford moved to replace the contactor box.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW i3 / Mini Cooper SEDefective cells in the high-voltage battery of the i3 from 2018 to 2021Yes: in October 2022 BMW launched a recall of the i3 built from 26/10/2018 to 31/08/2021 because a production defect in the winding of the cells' internal foils can overheat the modules and cause a fire. The defective module is replaced.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat 500eTraction battery fire risk (2023 and 2024 recalls)Fiat has recalled the 500e over traction battery fire risk on two occasions: April 2023 (contaminated materials, built from October 2020 to July 2021) and 2024 (negative terminal clamp not tightened properly). Both are precautionary recalls.
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonCitroën C5 AircrossOverheating and water ingress in the high-voltage battery (Hybrid versions)The plug-in Hybrid versions of the C5 Aircross built between January 2020 and the end of 2022 have been the subject of several successive manufacturer campaigns over a risk of the high-voltage battery overheating and, in another related campaign, over possible water ingress into its casing.
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonFord Kuga IIIFire risk in the plug-in hybrid high-voltage battery (recall 25SC4)The cells of the Kuga PHEV's high-voltage battery (made by Samsung SDI) can suffer an internal short circuit because of a damaged separator, with a risk of power loss and fire; Ford has recalled units built between August 2019 and November 2023.
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonOpel Grandland IHigh-voltage battery overheating and fire risk in plug-in hybrid versions (2019–2022)The plug-in hybrid versions of the Grandland X built between 2019 and 2022 have been the subject of several successive recalls, first a software update and then physical replacement, for the risk of overheating and fire in the high-voltage battery.
Have you had this fault? Your case helps other owners know when it appears and how much it costs. Report your fault in 2 minutes.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Safety Gate: alerta A12/00124/22, BMW i4 (almohadillas de la batería de alta tensión)Comisión Europea – Safety Gate · Official body · published 18 January 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026
- Erster Rückruf für den BMW i4electrive.net · Motoring press · published 2 February 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
- DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (R/2021/361, R/2022/020, R/2022/330, R/2023/133, R/2023/235, R/2024/211, R/2025/274)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 30 October 2026