Vehicle recall R/2020/283

BMW 5 Series and others recall: Remaining particles in the cells of the high voltage battery can cause a short circuit

DVSA recall R/2020/283 names the BMW 5 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW X1, BMW X5, BMW 7 Series, BMW X2 and 3 more BMW models. It was launched 14 December 2020. It covers vehicles built 12 February 2020 to 30 September 2020.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2020/283
Launched: 14 December 2020
Issued by: BMW
Manufacturer reference: 0061670500 0061660500
Vehicles: 2,665 across the whole recall

What can go wrong

A possibility of impurities contained in the HV batteries may cause short circuit.

The fix

Testing of battery charge cycles and replacement of the HV cells where necessary.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. DVSA gives one vehicle number for the whole recall: 2,665.
Model	Built
BMW 2 Series	9 March 2020 to 31 August 2020
BMW 3 Series	3 March 2020 to 22 September 2020
BMW 3 Series	5 June 2020 to 23 July 2020
BMW 5 Series	4 March 2020 to 29 September 2020
BMW 5 Series	9 June 2020
BMW 7 Series	2 March 2020 to 18 August 2020
BMW 7 Series	2 March 2020 to 23 June 2020
BMW i8	18 May 2020 to 3 June 2020
BMW i8	3 June 2020
BMW X1	29 February 2020 to 29 September 2020
BMW X2	12 February 2020 to 30 September 2020
BMW X3	3 June 2020 to 17 September 2020
BMW X5	9 June 2020 to 16 September 2020

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/2020/346 On affected vehicles seat belt mounting bolts may not be securely attached 26 November 2020, BMW X3
R/2020/343 An additional crash pad is required behind the auxiliary battery 23 November 2020, BMW X5
R/2021/072 The front axle support (subframe) welding process has not been completed according to specifications 11 November 2020, BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW X7
R/2021/015 The battery cables on the 48v starter generator may not have been sufficiently secured during production 25 January 2021, BMW 5 Series, BMW X5, BMW X4 and others
R/2020/298 Remaining particles in the cells of the high voltage battery can cause a short circuit 22 October 2020, BMW 7 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 2 Series and others
R/2021/037 The exhaust gas recirculation cooler could leak over time 9 February 2021, BMW 7 Series, BMW 1 Series, BMW X4 and others

Found one you might buy?

A recall is one part of the picture. See how often it fails its MOT at each age, or what the VetTheCar Buying Report tells you about a specific car.

See an example Buying Report Free car tools

Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. Methodology · Data sources