Recall 20V490 covers 713 2020-2021 MINI Countryman, X3, X5, and 330E vehicles for hybrid-battery short circuits. Repair is free at any franchised MINI dealer.
MINI is recalling 713 2020-2021 vehicles, including the Countryman, X3, X5, and 330E, because loose welding beads can create a conductive path between hybrid battery cells. A short circuit in the hybrid battery increases the risk of a fire, and MINI dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The high voltage battery in these 2020-2021 plug-in hybrid Countryman, X3, X5, and 330E vehicles stores power for electric driving and helps move the vehicle when the hybrid system is active. It is separate from the smaller low-voltage battery that runs basic electronics. Inside the high voltage pack, individual cells must stay electrically isolated from each other so current flows only through the designed circuits.
On affected vehicles, the battery was not cleaned correctly during production after welding. Loose welding beads left inside the battery assembly can create an unwanted conductive path between cells. That path can cause a short-circuit inside the high voltage battery instead of letting power move through the controlled battery system.
The warning sign is an instrument-cluster message. If that message appears, treat it as the vehicle telling you the high voltage battery system needs dealer attention.
Who's affected?
Covers four model lines across the 2020 and 2021 model years, all tied to high-voltage battery components.
| 2020 MINI Countryman | high-voltage traction battery |
|---|---|
| 2020 MINI Countryman | battery |
| 2020 BMW X3 | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2020 BMW X3 | battery |
| 2021 BMW X3 | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2021 BMW X3 | battery |
| 2021 BMW X5 | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2021 BMW X5 | battery |
| 2021 BMW 330E | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2021 BMW 330E | battery |
| Units affected | 713 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
In recall 20V490, a short-circuited hybrid battery raises the risk of a fire. If the instrument cluster shows a battery warning message, park safely, shut the vehicle off, and call a franchised MINI dealer before driving farther. Repair is free at any franchised MINI dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 MINI Countryman, X3, X5, or 330E is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised MINI dealer to schedule the free hybrid-battery inspection and module replacement that fixes the short-circuit fire risk.
- Bring the recall notice if you have one. If not, reference recall number 20V490 when you call.
- Ask MINI customer service at 1-800-525-7417 if the dealer cannot confirm the repair status for your VIN.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a MINI technician inspects the hybrid battery modules and replaces any module that needs replacement. The inspection, replacement parts, and labor are free under the recall. MINI says all potentially affected owner vehicles have already been remedied, so a final owner letter was not needed. Out-of-pocket repairs before the recall notice are handled through the MINI New Vehicle Limited Warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| August 18, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 18, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| August 18, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 12, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V490?
Recall 20V490 covers 713 2020-2021 MINI Countryman, X3, X5, and 330E plug-in hybrid vehicles with loose welding beads in the hybrid battery. The beads can create a conductive path between battery cells, causing a short circuit and increasing fire risk.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 MINI Countryman, X3, X5, or 330E is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V490. If it is, contact a franchised MINI dealer and ask for the hybrid battery inspection. The dealer will replace affected battery modules for free when needed.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will inspect the hybrid battery and replace battery modules as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V490?
The safety risk is fire from a short-circuited hybrid battery. Loose welding beads can create a conductive path between battery cells. If your VIN is included, ask the dealer how to handle the vehicle before the inspection is complete.
When were owners notified about recall 20V490?
BMW issued interim owner notifications on October 16, 2020. The recall record says potentially affected BMW owner vehicles were remedied, so final owner notification letters were not necessary. Use your VIN to confirm the current status for your specific vehicle.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V490000 |
|---|---|
| MINI customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V490 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V490000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Report (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →