BMW recalls 7,740 electric cars in China for firmware fix

China has announced a major recall of BMW electric vehicles: 7,740 units across the i7, iX, i5, iX1 and i3 ranges, built from late 2022 to early 2025. The issue stems from the insulation monitoring system, which in certain operating modes may mistakenly cut the high-voltage circuit. That triggers an immediate loss of drive and increases the risk of a crash. In the EV space, reliability is under a microscope—expectations are especially high when the badge is premium.

The move continues a campaign launched in August 2025, but it emerged that some cars received the wrong software version. BMW is now recalling the vehicles to service centers to install updated firmware that, according to the company, fully eliminates the risk of a sudden power-system shutdown. Owners will receive official notifications, and the work will be carried out free of charge. Software fixes have become routine in modern cars, yet an unexpected power cut is exactly the sort of behavior drivers should never encounter.

The action covers both imported and locally built models. The list includes 17 examples of the i7, 85 vehicles of the iX, and more than three thousand cars from the i5 and iX1 lines. Starting in 2026, the recall will also apply to the mass-market i3, which accounts for a significant share of the brand’s sales. The breadth of the campaign underlines how a narrow systems issue can ripple through a diverse lineup.