BMW I4 Recalls

The BMW i4 has 13 recalls covering 2022 through 2024 model years, with the most serious being a 2024 high-voltage battery module that can overheat due to insufficient weld seams and catch fire. A separate 2024 structural issue compounds the fire risk: the left-side longitudinal beam can crack, and if the chassis is compromised in a crash, the high-voltage battery is more likely to ignite. A related 2024 structural concern involves a cracked beam supporting the left-rear wheel arch, which can also reduce crash protection and raise fire risk.

Several recalls across 2022 and 2023 models center on sudden loss of drive power. Electric drive motor software on 2022-2024 vehicles can shut down the high-voltage system without warning, cutting propulsion while driving. On 2022-2023 models, the combined charging unit can have improperly connected internal components that interrupt power and stall the vehicle. The battery electronic control unit software on 2022-2023 models can similarly cut electrical power and drop drive suddenly. On 2023 models specifically, loose electrical connections in the battery cell monitoring circuit can cause an unexpected stall. The 2022 model year has its own version of the motor software issue, where a fail-safe mode can trigger a warning light and cut power to the wheels. Rounding out the power-loss concerns, 2022-2023 battery cell modules may have been assembled under stress and can fail, shutting down the high-voltage system entirely.

A fire risk also exists on 2022 models, where internal battery damage can cause an electrical short-circuit in the high-voltage battery pack.

On the electrical and safety equipment side, 2022-2023 vehicles have a door locking software issue where doors may not lock while the vehicle is moving, leaving them able to swing open in a crash. On 2022 models in Valet Parking Mode, the central display can go blank and fail to show warning messages or warning lights. On 2022-2023 models, the pedestrian alert sound generator can fail at startup, leaving the vehicle silent at low speeds where pedestrians rely on that sound to detect an approaching vehicle.