BMW Faces Plug-In Owners’ Fraud, Warranty Battery-Recall Claims

Consumers can move forward with claims that BMW of North America LLC breached an implied warranty and violated consumer-protection laws when it told consumers not to charge several models of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in a recall over fire risks, a federal court in New Jersey ruled.

BMW lacked a fix when it announced the recall, effectively leaving consumers with gasoline-only vehicles until it could remedy the problem, according to the court.

A plug-in hybrid that can’t be driven by battery power isn’t fit for its intended purpose, Judge Kevin McNulty said June 3 for the US District Court for ...