MG S5 EV Recall in Portugal: Fire Risk and What Owners Should Do
Published: 22/07/2026
MG recalls 9,806 S5 EV units over fire risk
MG is recalling 9,806 S5 EV units worldwide over a fire risk tied to the cooling system. It's a fresh recall — Germany's KBA transport authority published the notice on 2 July 2026 — and it affects an electric SUV already on sale in Portugal. If you own, or are thinking of buying, an MG S5 EV, it's worth understanding exactly what's going on and what to do about it.
The problem isn't the battery or the motor. It's a cooling fan that can freeze and seize in cold weather. And that's where it gets interesting for anyone who uses the car's app.
What causes the fire risk in the MG S5 EV
In very low ambient temperatures, the radiator fan can freeze and jam. On its own, that's just an annoyance. The danger appears when you switch on the cabin heating while the fan is stuck.
The series resistor that controls fan speed relies on airflow to stay cool. If the fan doesn't spin, no air passes over it — and the resistor overheats fast. In the worst case, that overheating can start a fire.
There's an important aggravating factor: remote preconditioning through the iSMART app. When you activate heating remotely on a parked, unattended car, the control unit powers the resistor and the blower at the same time. If the fan is frozen, heat builds up unchecked, with nobody near the car. It's the worst possible combination of circumstances.
The KBA confirmed that incidents involving property damage and/or personal injury have already been reported in connection with this defect. Details weren't disclosed, but the mention of injuries explains why the recall is classed as a fire risk rather than a mere comfort fault.
Which cars are affected by the recall
The recall covers MG S5 EV units built between 22 January 2025 and 29 January 2026 — that is, the 2025 and 2026 model years. The campaign is registered with the KBA under reference 16617R and MG's internal code RE005.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Model | MG S5 EV |
| Model years | 2025–2026 |
| Production period | 22 Jan 2025 – 29 Jan 2026 |
| Units worldwide | 9,806 |
| Units in Germany | 1,830 |
| KBA reference | 16617R |
| MG code | RE005 |
How do you know if your car is included? The most reliable way is to contact an authorised MG dealer with your vehicle identification number (VIN). The dealer will confirm from the VIN whether your specific unit needs the fix.
The fix: a free software update
The good news is that the repair is simple. MG resolves the issue with a free software update to the IMCU module, carried out at an authorised MG workshop. The process takes about 15 minutes and, in most cases, requires no parts replacement.
What changes with the new firmware? It adds fan-rotation detection. Before feeding the resistor any significant power, the control unit checks whether the blower is actually spinning. If it detects a stall, it limits power to the resistor — cutting off the overheating at the source.
No timeline for the start of the campaign has been announced yet. Keep an eye on communications from MG and your dealer.
What to do until the update is installed
While the software isn't yet applied, MG's interim guidance for owners is clear:
- Avoid remote preconditioning via the iSMART app in cold weather.
- Don't leave the car in "Ready mode" unattended with the heating on.
- Don't park inside garages or next to buildings while the cabin is heating.
- Check with an authorised MG dealer, by VIN, whether your unit is affected.
According to MG, when the car and all its systems are powered down and inactive, there is no danger. The risk is always tied to the heating running while the fan is jammed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The recall (KBA reference 16617R, MG code RE005) covers units built between 22 January 2025 and 29 January 2026, meaning the 2025 and 2026 model years. The most reliable way to confirm is to contact an authorised MG dealer with your vehicle identification number (VIN), which verifies whether your specific unit is included in the campaign that covers 9,806 cars worldwide.
The repair is completely free. MG resolves the issue with a software update to the IMCU module at an authorised MG workshop, taking about 15 minutes and, in most cases, requiring no parts replacement. The new firmware detects whether the fan is spinning and limits power to the resistor if the blower is stalled.
According to MG, there is no danger when the car and all its systems are powered down; the risk only appears with the heating running while the fan is frozen. Until you install the update, avoid remote preconditioning via the iSMART app in cold weather, don't leave the car in Ready mode unattended with the heating on, and don't heat the cabin inside garages or next to buildings.
Yes — a recall isn't a sign of a bad car, it's the safety system working, with a free fix available. If you're considering a 2025 or 2026 MG S5 EV, just confirm with the dealer that the RE005 software update has already been applied before you sign. It's a capable electric SUV on SAIC's dedicated MSP platform, with a 90% adult protection score in the Euro NCAP 2025 test.
The 64 kWh Long Range version offers 480 km of WLTP range (around 365 km in the real world) and real consumption of roughly 170 Wh/km. It produces 170 kW (231 PS) and 350 Nm with rear-wheel drive, does 0–100 km/h in 6.3 s and DC-charges at up to 139 kW, going from 10 to 80% in about 31 minutes. There is also an entry-level 49 kWh Standard Range variant.
What this means for MG S5 EV owners in Portugal
Portuguese winters are milder than those in Norway or Sweden, where the problem surfaced most often. That lowers the odds — but it doesn't remove the risk. A cold snap in the interior or the north of the country, combined with the habit of preheating the car via the app before leaving home, recreates exactly the dangerous scenario.
So the advice is the same as for any other market: as soon as the campaign starts in Portugal, book the software update. It's free, quick and fixes the problem for good.
It's worth putting the recall in perspective. The S5 EV is a capable electric SUV built on SAIC's dedicated MSP platform. Here are the specs for the 64 kWh Long Range version:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Battery (usable / nominal) | 62.1 kWh / 64.0 kWh, NMC, 400 V |
| Power / torque | 170 kW (231 PS) / 350 Nm, rear-wheel drive |
| 0–100 km/h | 6.3 s |
| Top speed | 190 km/h |
| WLTP range | up to 480 km (real ~365 km) |
| Real consumption | ~170 Wh/km |
| DC charging | up to 139 kW, 10–80% in ~31 min |
| AC charging | 6.6 kW (11 kW optional) |
| V2L | Yes, 3.3 kW |
| Boot | 453 L (1,441 L max) |
| Euro NCAP 2025 | Adult 90%, Child 82% |
A recall isn't in itself a sign of a bad car. It's the system working: a defect was found and a free fix is available. What would hurt an S5 EV owner is ignoring it. If you have one, contact the dealer; if you're considering buying, just confirm that the RE005 update has already been applied to the unit before you sign.