<p>Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly adopted in portable electronics, electric vehicles, and large-scale energy storage systems, where performance, safety, and lifetime are strongly governed by the effectiveness of the battery thermal management system (BTMS). This review critically examines state-of-the-art physics-based electrochemical–thermal coupled models used to analyze lithium-ion battery behavior under normal and extreme operating conditions. The fundamental mechanisms of electrochemical–thermal interaction are discussed, with emphasis on heat generation sources and their dependence on operating conditions. Widely adopted modeling frameworks, including the single-particle model (SPM), Doyle–Fuller–Newman (DFN) model, and thermal runaway models, are systematically reviewed in terms of governing equations, assumptions, computational complexity, and predictive capability. Particular attention is given to parameter identification challenges, model fidelity–cost trade-offs, and applicability to BTMS design and safety analysis. The review highlights the necessity of integrating electrochemical–thermal models with BTMSs to improve prediction accuracy, especially under fast-charging and abuse scenarios, and identifies key research directions for advancing reliable, application-oriented battery thermal management.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>