BMW issued a recall in August for its 2019 i3 models with a range extender and the 2019 i8 models due to safety issues. The vehicles which were part of the recall were built between December 2018 and March 2019.
Reason for Recall
The issue with these vehicles involves a part known as the Electric Motor Electronics module. If the module malfunctions, it could cause increased resistance and shut off power to the drive system. The power systems for power steering and brakes should continue working.
BMW plans to mail out safety notices on the first of October. Owners can take their vehicles to dealerships where they will remove the module and replace it with a working module.
The danger with this issue is that a lack of power would mean the vehicle could stall out in traffic. This situation increases the risk of a collision, especially from behind. It also increases the risk of injury, especially on roads with higher speed limits. Injuries commonly associated with this type of accident include whiplash, broken bones and fractures, as well as head and neck injuries. If your speed has dropped below a certain MPH, the airbags may not deploy, which could leave you vulnerable for more serious injuries.
It is important to take the vehicle in to get fixed even if you aren’t experiencing any problems with it currently. Recall notices are designed to prevent injury by alerting the public of the risks of certain products before they malfunction.
The BMW Models
The BMW i3 is a fully-electric compact two-door car. The range extender allows the car to travel up to 200 miles over the 153 miles of the models without this feature. This model comes with an AC synchronous electric motor with 170 horsepower and seats up to four people.
The i8 is a BMW sports convertible, a plug-in hybrid in both a coupe and roadster. It comes with 369 horsepower and room for two people. While modern convertibles have more safety features and are deemed to be safer than older models, they lack some safety features of a sedan. For instance, they won’t have airbags that deploy from overhead or the roof that protects the head and arms in a crash.
A convertible collision may increase the risk of broken bones and head injuries which can be severe. It can also increase the risk for neck and back injuries, which may lead to permanent damage, such as paralysis. The dangers increase when going at high speeds, and a defect causes a malfunction. For this reason, any recall notice involving a vehicle should be taken seriously.
Without the defect, the i3 ranked good in safety tests with the IIHS, except for overall rear safety, which rated acceptable. The i8 hasn’t been tested by either the IIHS or the NHTSA for the 2019 model or the 2017 model, which was the most previous release.
If you aren’t sure whether your vehicle is part of the recall and you haven’t received a notice, you can contact a BMW dealership for information.