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 6 recalls and 20 owner complaints for the 2024 BMW I5.
The 2024 BMW i5 complaint picture is spread across a relatively small number of reports, so no single system dominates heavily. Brake-related complaints appear most often, with owners describing unexpected dashboard warnings about reduced braking ability or the need for additional pedal force, in some cases during active highway merging. A separate cluster of reports describes sudden electric power steering loss, with the instrument cluster displaying multiple simultaneous warnings and the steering wheel becoming difficult to turn at low speeds. A few owners report thermal or cooling system concerns tied to the high-voltage battery, including persistent warning messages and an audible banging noise while driving. One isolated report describes a panoramic sunroof spontaneously shattering at speed without any apparent impact.
20
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
By System
The 2024 BMW i5 has 6 recalls, the most serious involving fire risk from a high-voltage battery that can overheat, along with brake system failures that can extend stopping distances and cause loss of vehicle control.
Two separate brake-related recalls affect this vehicle: the integrated brake system can malfunction and reduce or eliminate power brake assist, and the anti-lock brakes and stability control can stop functioning properly, both of which make the car harder to stop and control in an emergency. On the drivetrain side, a software fault in the electric drive motor can shut down the high-voltage system entirely, cutting drive power while the vehicle is in motion. There is also a concern with the hands-on detection system, where a loose ground connection at the steering wheel can prevent the car from sensing that the driver's hands have left the wheel, disabling the emergency stopping assistant. Finally, the artificial sound generator that alerts pedestrians to the car's presence at low speeds can fail to activate at startup, leaving people on foot without an audible warning.
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
Welds in the servomotor of the brake control module may break, causing loss of power brake assist, rear braking, and potentially the antilock brake and stability control systems.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the integrated brake system 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 module may have incomplete welds, which could allow the battery to overheat.
What the fix does
Your dealer will replace the high-voltage battery module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The integrated brake system may fail, reducing power brake assist or preventing the antilock brake and stability control systems from working properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the integrated brake system at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The external pedestrian warning sound system may fail during vehicle startup, preventing the required artificial sound from alerting nearby pedestrians.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the external sound generator software at no cost to restore the warning sound function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering wheel's ground connection may not be properly attached, which can disable the hands-on detection system that monitors if the driver is holding the wheel.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ground connection and reattach it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.