BMW will recall more than 70,000 electric vehicles in the United States due to a software issue that may cause a sudden loss of propulsion, posing a safety risk, according to a notice published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The recall impacts several model series: the i4 and iX from model years 2022 to 2024, the i7 from 2023 and 2024, the i5 from 2024, and the 2025 i4 eDrive35 and eDrive40.
NHTSA said the issue stems from a fault in the electric drive motor software, which “may shut down the high-voltage system, causing a loss of drive power.” Such a shutdown during operation could increase the likelihood of a crash.
BMW confirmed that a software update would resolve the issue. “The electric drive motor software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge,” the recall notice said.
Owners of affected vehicles are expected to receive formal notification by mail beginning in early August. In the meantime, drivers can verify whether their vehicles are included in the recall by checking the NHTSA website.