Bentley has announced a recall of Bentayga Hybrid crossovers due to a potentially dangerous high-voltage battery defect. The automaker was notified of the problem by Samsung SDI, which supplies 18-kilowatt battery cells for this model.
The recall affects 130 vehicles manufactured between September 13 and September 28, 2023. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the battery packs in these cars may overheat during charging and, in some cases, catch fire.
Experts attribute the risk to possible manufacturing defects in the battery cells. This involves contamination with foreign particles or damage to the separator inside the cells. Such defects can cause a short circuit, followed by thermal runaway of the battery.
Bentley has already confirmed that it will release a software update that will identify battery packs with an increased risk of failure. According to the manufacturer's estimate, less than 1% of batteries will need to be replaced. To date, no reports of fires or injuries have been received, but the company recognizes the real threat and is acting preventively.
Despite the low percentage of potential defects, the situation looks sensitive for the brand. The Bentayga Hybrid costs over $200,000, and customers in this segment expect not only comfort and dynamics, but also absolute technical reliability. Any hidden defects in the luxury segment directly affect the brand's reputation.