NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The electric drive motor software may unexpectedly shut down the high-voltage system, causing the vehicle to lose driving power.
This page covers 7 recalls and 42 owner complaints for the 2023 BMW I4.
Electrical system complaints make up the largest share of what 2023 BMW i4 owners report, covering a range of issues from high-voltage battery faults that leave the car unable to restart, to unexpected vehicle shutdowns while driving at low speed. A handful of owners describe receiving powertrain fault messages, sometimes referencing the high-voltage battery, that disable the car entirely until it sits for an extended period, and even then a restart isn't always possible. Powertrain complaints follow a similar thread, with owners reporting sudden loss of drive power. A smaller cluster of reports involves the driver assistance steering system, with at least one owner describing aggressive, unintended steering inputs at highway speed. Isolated reports also mention spontaneous sunroof shattering and rear tire wear attributed to suspension geometry, though these appear in only one or two complaints each rather than as a recurring pattern.
42
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2023 BMW i4 has 7 recalls, the most serious being a cluster of high-voltage electrical issues that can cut drive power without warning while the vehicle is moving, raising the risk of a crash.
Several overlapping recalls affect the battery and drive system. The combined charging unit, the battery cell monitoring circuit, the battery cell modules, and the drive motor software can each independently cause the high-voltage system to shut down, leaving the driver with sudden loss of propulsion. A separate battery management software issue can also interrupt electrical power in the same way. Because these problems stem from different components, some vehicles may be covered by more than one of these recalls.
On the body electronics side, a software fault in the body control module can prevent the doors from locking automatically while driving, which means a door may swing open in a crash. There is also a concern specific to the pedestrian alert system: during startup, the artificial sound generator can fail, leaving the vehicle silent at low speeds where pedestrians rely on that sound to notice an approaching car.
At a glance
What can fail
The electric drive motor software may unexpectedly shut down the high-voltage system, causing the vehicle to lose driving power.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
BMW will update the electric drive motor software remotely or at a dealer at no cost to restore normal operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
High-voltage battery cell modules may have been assembled incorrectly, causing stress on the module frame and potentially leading to module failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected high-voltage battery cell modules at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high voltage battery charging unit may have internal components that are improperly connected or assembled, potentially causing charging system failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the high voltage battery charging unit at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high voltage battery cell monitoring circuit may have loose electrical connections, which can cause the engine to stall while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the high voltage battery cell monitoring circuit at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A replacement electronic control unit may have been installed with incorrect programming, preventing the automatic door locking function from locking doors as intended.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the ECU software at no charge to restore proper automatic door locking function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The external pedestrian warning sound system may malfunction during startup, preventing the vehicle from generating the required audible alert for nearby pedestrians.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the sound generator software at no cost to restore the pedestrian warning sound function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high voltage battery control unit software may malfunction and interrupt electrical power to the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the high voltage battery control unit software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.