Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published August 18, 2020
BMW X3 (2020) Recall: Fire Risk from Short-Circuited Hybrid Battery
BMW recalls 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e models due to loose welding beads causing short circuits that may lead to fire. Owners receive free battery module replacements.
“BMW X3 (2020) Recall: Fire Risk from Short-Circuited Hybrid Battery.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/79244-bmw-x3-2020-recall-fire-risk-from-short-circuited-hybrid. Based on NHTSA recall #20V490000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V490000).
BMW of North America, LLC recalled certain 2020-2021 BMW X3, 2021 BMW 330e and X5 xDrive45e, and 2020 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 vehicles due to a fire risk from a short-circuited hybrid battery, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Aug. 18, 2020. Dealers will inspect and replace battery modules free of charge.
How to tell if you have it
BMW 330e, 2021
BMW X3 xDrive30e, 2020-2021
BMW X5 xDrive45e, 2021
MINI Countryman SE ALL4, 2020
What to do
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the battery modules, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The hazard
A short-circuited hybrid battery may increase the risk of a fire. Loose welding beads may form a conductive path between the hybrid battery cells which could lead to a short-circuit.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show BMW of North America, LLC has 291 other recalls on record since Oct. 12, 2009. Recent similar recalls include the BMW X3 (2024-2026) Steering Recall (Aug. 12, 2026), the BMW X4 (2025) Recall (Aug. 7, 2026), and the BMW 750e XDrive (2025) Recall (Aug. 12, 2026). Other recent recalls of similar products include the Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4MATIC (2022) Recall (June 2, 2026), the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2023) Recall (Feb. 7, 2026), and the Mercedes-Benz EQB Recall (Dec. 19, 2025).
How to tell if you have this one
Check for 2020-2021 X3 xDrive30e models. The recall covers vehicles sold between 2020 and 2021 with specific model names listed in the official notice.
Brand
BMW
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact BMW Customer Service
Reach out to BMW at 1-800-525-7417 to confirm if your vehicle is affected and schedule a battery inspection.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to 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.
No, the recall does not require immediate stoppage. BMW will inspect and replace the battery modules if necessary, so you can continue using your vehicle safely.
Take action
Contact BMW
We’ve drafted a message you can send BMW to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 20V490000 — BMW X3 (2020) Recall: Fire Risk from Short-Circuited Hybrid Battery
Hello,
I own a BMW X3 (2020) Recall: Fire Risk from Short-Circuited Hybrid Battery that is covered by recall 20V490000 from BMW.
The official recall notice states: 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.
I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this?
Thank you.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.