Smoke in Cabin! Brand new m340i, hybrid battery fire
Discussion
76 m340i Touring delivered last month, 500 miles, factory ordered.
Last Sunday, after 90 mins of motorway driving, when breaking to go into services, a thick plume of dark smoke entered the cabin from the passenger side vent. Wife and 1 year old in car. We frantically pulled over and got out of the car.
No warning lights prior to stopping. Smells of electrical burning, not oil residue. Very strong. BMW Assist attended, checked engine bay nothing, confirmed it smells like electric wiring / insulation. No warning lights on start-up; appears to drive but now obvious fire risk. Car taken away.
Just before the 30 day statutory limit. Car now in with a BMW service centre.
Never seen anything like it in 30+ years of driving!
Service centre subsequently reported:
"We have confirmed a fault with the 48-volt battery positive terminal, which was found to be thermally damaged.
- A technical TSARA case was raised with BMW Germany for specialist guidance.
- BMW has advised that this appears to be an isolated event and has instructed the replacement of the 48-volt battery and associated components. - We have ordered a replacement 48-volt battery, cover lid, and both positive and negative cables.
- These parts are currently on back-order from Germany. We have applied a VOR (Vehicle Off Road) status to this order to ensure they are shipped to us as a priority.
- Once the parts are fitted, the vehicle will undergo a comprehensive testing phase. I will be discussing the specific scope of this testing with our Service Manager and Aftersales Manager to ensure your total peace of mind before the vehicle is returned"
Anyone else experience / know of hybrid battery problems? Outright reject?
Many thanks!
Last Sunday, after 90 mins of motorway driving, when breaking to go into services, a thick plume of dark smoke entered the cabin from the passenger side vent. Wife and 1 year old in car. We frantically pulled over and got out of the car.
No warning lights prior to stopping. Smells of electrical burning, not oil residue. Very strong. BMW Assist attended, checked engine bay nothing, confirmed it smells like electric wiring / insulation. No warning lights on start-up; appears to drive but now obvious fire risk. Car taken away.
Just before the 30 day statutory limit. Car now in with a BMW service centre.
Never seen anything like it in 30+ years of driving!
Service centre subsequently reported:
"We have confirmed a fault with the 48-volt battery positive terminal, which was found to be thermally damaged.
- A technical TSARA case was raised with BMW Germany for specialist guidance.
- BMW has advised that this appears to be an isolated event and has instructed the replacement of the 48-volt battery and associated components. - We have ordered a replacement 48-volt battery, cover lid, and both positive and negative cables.
- These parts are currently on back-order from Germany. We have applied a VOR (Vehicle Off Road) status to this order to ensure they are shipped to us as a priority.
- Once the parts are fitted, the vehicle will undergo a comprehensive testing phase. I will be discussing the specific scope of this testing with our Service Manager and Aftersales Manager to ensure your total peace of mind before the vehicle is returned"
Anyone else experience / know of hybrid battery problems? Outright reject?
Many thanks!
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