2023 BMW i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe
19" wheels
Electric Sedan · RWD
Based on battery health, build quality, owner data, EPA range, and market pricing
Below average for 2023 EV Sedans (class avg 69)
Personalize this scoreIs a low score bad?
Last scanned 12 days ago
The 2023 BMW i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe (19-inch wheels) packs 335 hp, 282 miles of EPA range and a 81 kWh battery, and the score gets it into the conversation; battery and service records decide whether to make an offer.
Score read
A 67/100 makes this a paperwork-and-test-drive decision. Do not let the composite hide this split: software and driver-assist score is 82/100, while range and efficiency score is 45/100. Owners on Reddit repeatedly cite software tech and owner satisfaction as recurring problems. Documented completion matters more than the recall count itself.
Is it a good deal?
Used examples are running around $34,300 against a $58,095 original sticker, about 59% of new. A reasonable spot for the score, but condition matters more than the headline number; verify recall completion, battery health, and service history.
Who this is for
✓ Good for
- ⏱ Daily commuter ≤50 mi/day, predictable charging
- ↦ Road tripper Long trips, needs DC fast network
✗ Avoid if you are a
No persona-level disqualifiers — fits broadly.
Gotchas
- Serviceable Recall paperwork has to match the exact VIN.
Mitigation Use NHTSA and the automaker lookup, then require repair records instead of a verbal promise.
- Built in Range is the easy place to overbuy this trim (45/100).
Mitigation Check your commute, winter margin, and fast-charge plan before you assume the EPA number fits your use.
Pre-purchase inspection
- 1 Run the exact VIN through NHTSA and the automaker recall lookup before discussing price.
- 2 Compare the dashboard range estimate with the EPA 282-mile rating after a full charge.
- 3 Confirm how much of the 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty remains and whether it transfers.
- 4 If road trips matter, run a short DC fast-charge session and watch whether speed tapers normally.
- 5 Map your normal highway route and winter margin against the EPA range before you treat it as a road-trip car.
VIN status first This model has 7 NHTSA recall records. The exact VIN lookup decides whether the car in front of you is clear.
Complaint context This scan found 41 NHTSA complaint records (9.1 per 10K VINs, near industry average). Read the themes below before treating the raw count as the verdict.
Price anchor Current market range is $34,300-$34,300. Use that range to compare listings for the same trim, mileage, and condition.
Pricing & Market Value
A67-rated trim trading 41% below MSRP. Higher discounts on higher-quality vehicles score better — this signal is orthogonal to the TrimIndex composite, not part of it.
Score Breakdown
What matters most to you?
Drag the sliders to prioritize what you care about. Your TrimIndex Score recalculates instantly.
Vehicle Specifications
EVs at your price point that match or beat this trim
Price-gated peer set: vehicles within $27.4K–$41.2K market value (±20% of $34.3K). 4 outscore · 2 score within ±2. Mixed across makes — no "spend more, score better" comps.
Model 3
- ✓ +59 mi more range
- ✓ Better build quality
- ✓ Better safety score
i4
- ✓ +19 mi more range
- ✓ Better build quality
- ✓ Better safety score
G80
- ✓ Better infotainment UX
Model S
- ✓ +123 mi more range
i4
- ✓ +19 mi more range
- ✓ Better build quality
G80
- ✓ Notably better build quality
- ✓ Better infotainment UX
The federal $4,000 used-EV credit ended Sept 30, 2025.
But 10 states still run their own used-EV rebate programs — some up to $5,000. Pick your state to see what's available for this trim.
Source & disclaimer
Dealers make ~$9,820 on the average car loan.
After the price is set, the finance manager runs four plays to rebuild margin. Every buyer without a pre-approval is a target. Here's exactly what they run — and what stops each one.
78% of dealer loans carry a hidden +1.13% markup above what the lender actually charges. You never see it — it's buried in the contract. · CFPB
Dealer must match or beat your lender — they can't add margin invisibly. The markup play is dead on arrival.
Once you answer, they stretch the term to hit your number. Median result: $4K less off the price, 12 more months on the loan. · Industry avg
Financing is done. Only the sale price is on the table — and the dealer knows it.
Back-office F&I profit averages $1,975/vehicle, up 8.5% YoY. These products exist — but dealer markup is 4–10x what you'd pay elsewhere. · Dealership Guy
Dealer GAP runs $500–1K. Your insurer sells the same coverage for $100–250 over 5 years. Now you know.
"Your loan fell through — come re-sign." This pulls your APR up +5% on average. It's legal. It works because you've already driven the car home. · Ctr for Responsible Lending
A lender commitment letter means the deal is final. "Pending dealer approval" doesn't apply. You can't be yo-yo'd.
That's 19 months of your car payment — handed to the dealer's finance department for nothing.
Takes 2 minutes. No obligation to use it — but you'll walk in with all the leverage.
Pre-approval is a soft credit inquiry — no score impact. FICO treats all auto-loan hard pulls within 14 days as one, so you can still shop rates at the dealer.
NHTSA Recalls (7)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2025 i4, 2022-2024 IX, 2023-2024 I7, and 2024 I5 vehicles. The electric drive motor software may shut down the high-voltage system, causing a loss of drive power.
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Check VIN status at NHTSA.govBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2025 IX, 2023-2024 I7, and 2022-2023 i4 vehicles. The high-voltage battery cell modules may not have been assembled properly, resulting in stress on the module frame and possible module failure.
Battery module failure may lead to a shutdown of the high-voltage system which can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, module failure increases the risk of a fire.
Check VIN status at NHTSA.govBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 iX xDrive50, iX M60, i4 eDrive40, i4 M50, and 2023 i760 xDrive hybrid electric vehicles. The high voltage battery combined charging unit (CCU) may not have been manufactured correctly, resulting in improperly connected and/or assembled components inside the CCU.
An improperly connected or assembled CCU can interrupt electrical power while driving and result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Check VIN status at NHTSA.govBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2024 iX xDrive50 and 2023 i4 eDrive35, i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 Hybrid Electric vehicles. The high voltage battery cell monitoring circuit may have improperly secured electrical connections which can result in an engine stall.
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Check VIN status at NHTSA.govBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, 330e, 330e xDrive, 430i Convertible, 430i xDrive, M440i, 2022-2023 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive, i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 vehicles. During a service visit, a replacement electronic control unit (ECU) may have been installed with incorrect programming, which can cause the automatic door locking (ADL) function to not lock the doors as intended.
Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Check VIN status at NHTSA.govBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 i4 eDrive40 and iX xDrive50 electric vehicles. During vehicle start-up, the artificial sound generator control unit may experience a fault and fail to generate the external pedestrian warning sound. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Without external warning sounds, pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Check VIN status at NHTSA.govBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 iX xDrive40, iX xDrive50, iX M60, i4 eDrive35, i4 eDrive40, i4 M50, and 2023 i7 xDrive60 vehicles. The high voltage battery electronic control unit (ECU) software may cause an interruption of electrical power.
An interruption of electrical power may result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Check VIN status at NHTSA.govNHTSA Complaints (41 total · 9.1 per 10K US vehicles · near industry average)
MVA: [XXX] Sudden acceleration of vehicle. Brakes failed to work. Steering suddenly inoperative. Front passenger and I were injured. Vehicle damaged 3 other vehicles. One or more drivers whose vehicles were hit complained of injuries. For inspection, contact property damage adjuster with Safeco Insurance: Collision adjuster: LYNAE MCCALL, P: 509-944-8355 Email: LYNAE.MCCALL@LIBERTYMUTUAL.COM. Complainant unaware if vehicle malfunction issues have been inspected to date by the dealer or an independent service nor inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. Complainant did not see or notice any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problems prior to malfunction of the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
MVA: [XXX] Sudden acceleration of vehicle. Brakes failed to work. Steering suddenly inoperative. Front passenger and I were injured. Vehicle damaged 3 other vehicles. One or more drivers whose vehicles were hit complained of injuries. For inspection, contact property damage adjuster with Safeco Insurance: Collision adjuster: LYNAE MCCALL, P: 509-944-8355 Email: LYNAE.MCCALL@LIBERTYMUTUAL.COM. Complainant unaware if vehicle malfunction issues have been inspected to date by the dealer or an independent service nor inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. Complainant did not see or notice any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problems prior to malfunction of the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Driving at night on [XXX] car in front of me swerved leaving a big deer in front of me on a car on my left, the BMW did not warn me, adjust speed, cinch restraints, or brake, There was no collision warning or advanced readiness at all! I hit the deer at 75 approx, went airborne and totaled my car. BMW wanted to see the vehicle and take data from it since even the cameras didn’t record, no safety features on this advanced vehicle functioned at 12,086 miles, this was an I4 M50 loaded, totaled the car INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Driving at night on [XXX] car in front of me swerved leaving a big deer in front of me on a car on my left, the BMW did not warn me, adjust speed, cinch restraints, or brake, There was no collision warning or advanced readiness at all! I hit the deer at 75 approx, went airborne and totaled my car. BMW wanted to see the vehicle and take data from it since even the cameras didn’t record, no safety features on this advanced vehicle functioned at 12,086 miles, this was an I4 M50 loaded, totaled the car INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
This is the second time the brakes failed on this vehicle. The first incident, occurring as I pulled into my garage, in May 2023, was investigated by BMW North America and the vehicle was deemed to have no defect and to be safe to drive. The second incident occurred on [XXX]. The car was traveling approximately 15-25 mph on a collector road between [XXX] in downtown Los Angeles. The car immediately in front of me applied its brakes and when I applied my brake pedal the vehicle did not respond and my car did not slow down. I did not see any sort of warning lamp on the dashboard. I hit the car immediately in front of me and that car hit the car in front of it. My airbags deployed. The car called emergency services. No one was injured. My vehicle is now being examined by BMW North America. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
This is the second time the brakes failed on this vehicle. The first incident, occurring as I pulled into my garage, in May 2023, was investigated by BMW North America and the vehicle was deemed to have no defect and to be safe to drive. The second incident occurred on [XXX]. The car was traveling approximately 15-25 mph on a collector road between [XXX] in downtown Los Angeles. The car immediately in front of me applied its brakes and when I applied my brake pedal the vehicle did not respond and my car did not slow down. I did not see any sort of warning lamp on the dashboard. I hit the car immediately in front of me and that car hit the car in front of it. My airbags deployed. The car called emergency services. No one was injured. My vehicle is now being examined by BMW North America. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
This is an electric vehicle. The affected part is called a heat changeover value - this value controls the coolant that is used by the car to keep the drive battery cool. The valves have a problem with leaks and when they leak, the car should not be driven out of safety concern. The main battery could overheat causing a fire/explosion. My vehicle experienced this issue and was undrivable for approx. 30 days. There are several Facebook and Reddit groups reporting this problem from all over the world. While my vehicle was at the dealer for the repair, this dealer had another vehicle like mine with the same issue along with another BMW electric vehicle, different model, same issue. From what I understand the parts are being replaced but not with a redesigned part. This also seems to be impacting more than just 2023 vehicle model years.
This is an electric vehicle. The affected part is called a heat changeover value - this value controls the coolant that is used by the car to keep the drive battery cool. The valves have a problem with leaks and when they leak, the car should not be driven out of safety concern. The main battery could overheat causing a fire/explosion. My vehicle experienced this issue and was undrivable for approx. 30 days. There are several Facebook and Reddit groups reporting this problem from all over the world. While my vehicle was at the dealer for the repair, this dealer had another vehicle like mine with the same issue along with another BMW electric vehicle, different model, same issue. From what I understand the parts are being replaced but not with a redesigned part. This also seems to be impacting more than just 2023 vehicle model years.
Sudden acceleration when entering an open parking space, causing the car to hit two vehicles and causing extensive damage to my and the other vehicles. Safety of others would have been at risk as the accelerations was unintended and unexpected and if people were present they would have been in danger. The vehicle is currently at dealership for examination of unintended acceleration and accident. No warning of sudden acceleration nor any issue with car prior to accident. Air bags were not activated. Police contacted but since noninjury no report filed.
Sudden acceleration when entering an open parking space, causing the car to hit two vehicles and causing extensive damage to my and the other vehicles. Safety of others would have been at risk as the accelerations was unintended and unexpected and if people were present they would have been in danger. The vehicle is currently at dealership for examination of unintended acceleration and accident. No warning of sudden acceleration nor any issue with car prior to accident. Air bags were not activated. Police contacted but since noninjury no report filed.
I am writing to file a formal complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding a serious safety issue with my recently purchased 2023 BMW i4. The incident involves a brake malfunction that occurred just two weeks after the purchase, posing a severe risk to my safety and potentially the safety of other road users. On 07/11/, while driving my newly acquired BMW i4, I experienced an alarming brake failure, which almost resulted in a collision with another vehicle. Fearing for my life and the lives of others, I immediately took the car to the authorized BMW service center in Fremont for immediate inspection and repair. Regrettably, it has now been over a week since I dropped off my car at the service center, and it remains unrepaired. The service center personnel informed me that they need to order a brake boost from Germany, but I am deeply troubled to learn that there is still no estimated time of arrival for this critical part. Consequently, I am left without a functional vehicle and potentially exposed to further brake-related hazards. This incident raises serious concerns about the safety and reliability of BMW's brake system in the 2023 i4 model. I find it unacceptable that a reputable automotive manufacturer like BMW does not have the necessary spare parts readily available for essential safety components like brakes. Furthermore, I am disappointed by the lack of transparency and communication from BMW throughout this ordeal. The uncertainty surrounding the repair process has caused significant distress and inconvenience, adding to the already harrowing experience. Given the gravity of the brake malfunction and the prolonged delays in repairs, I believe it is imperative for the NHTSA to investigate this matter thoroughly. The potential risks posed by a brake system failure are a matter of utmost concern and warrant immediate attention and action.
I am writing to file a formal complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding a serious safety issue with my recently purchased 2023 BMW i4. The incident involves a brake malfunction that occurred just two weeks after the purchase, posing a severe risk to my safety and potentially the safety of other road users. On 07/11/, while driving my newly acquired BMW i4, I experienced an alarming brake failure, which almost resulted in a collision with another vehicle. Fearing for my life and the lives of others, I immediately took the car to the authorized BMW service center in Fremont for immediate inspection and repair. Regrettably, it has now been over a week since I dropped off my car at the service center, and it remains unrepaired. The service center personnel informed me that they need to order a brake boost from Germany, but I am deeply troubled to learn that there is still no estimated time of arrival for this critical part. Consequently, I am left without a functional vehicle and potentially exposed to further brake-related hazards. This incident raises serious concerns about the safety and reliability of BMW's brake system in the 2023 i4 model. I find it unacceptable that a reputable automotive manufacturer like BMW does not have the necessary spare parts readily available for essential safety components like brakes. Furthermore, I am disappointed by the lack of transparency and communication from BMW throughout this ordeal. The uncertainty surrounding the repair process has caused significant distress and inconvenience, adding to the already harrowing experience. Given the gravity of the brake malfunction and the prolonged delays in repairs, I believe it is imperative for the NHTSA to investigate this matter thoroughly. The potential risks posed by a brake system failure are a matter of utmost concern and warrant immediate attention and action.
On 5/10/23 I was driving approximately 50 mph on a highway when my car slowed to 15 mph. I stepped on the accelerator and nothing happened. On the dash screen there was a warning which stated "drivetrain malfunction. Driving not possible. Call Roadside assistance". So I was stuck with a sudden deceleration on a busy highway and had to creep over 2 lanes to the shoulder and put the car in park. It would not restart. Myself and my child were in the vehicle. It is a miracle that we were not rear-ended. After calling roadside assistance, the car did turn back on and was driven to the dealer. The car spent 2.5 weeks at the dealer and they say a software update resolved the issue. This car was 4 weeks old when the incident occurred. It had approximately 300 miles on the vehicle.
On 5/10/23 I was driving approximately 50 mph on a highway when my car slowed to 15 mph. I stepped on the accelerator and nothing happened. On the dash screen there was a warning which stated "drivetrain malfunction. Driving not possible. Call Roadside assistance". So I was stuck with a sudden deceleration on a busy highway and had to creep over 2 lanes to the shoulder and put the car in park. It would not restart. Myself and my child were in the vehicle. It is a miracle that we were not rear-ended. After calling roadside assistance, the car did turn back on and was driven to the dealer. The car spent 2.5 weeks at the dealer and they say a software update resolved the issue. This car was 4 weeks old when the incident occurred. It had approximately 300 miles on the vehicle.
I opened our garage door remotely, as I always do, and pulled into the driveway. As I entered the garage, I attempted to brake but the car continued to roll despite my pressure on the brake pedal. The car ran into the shelving and other items against the garage wall. I have entered our garage in this way many thousands of times, and I am confident I did nothing differently this time.
I opened our garage door remotely, as I always do, and pulled into the driveway. As I entered the garage, I attempted to brake but the car continued to roll despite my pressure on the brake pedal. The car ran into the shelving and other items against the garage wall. I have entered our garage in this way many thousands of times, and I am confident I did nothing differently this time.
Our BMW i4 is equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay. CarPlay gets its geo-location (ie, GPS) data from the car. Since CarPlay is also an extension of your iPhone, the phone also is getting its GPS data from the car. In some situations, the car sends the wrong GPS data to CarPlay, and then all the mapping applications in CarPlay (and on your phone) have the wrong location. When this happens, the car is shown way off course, and the navigation app starts giving you rerouting instructions to get you back on course. Of course, these instruction are nonsensical and the locations are sometimes comical -- we live near a body of water, and the car is often shown driving through the water. This can only be corrected by rebooting the cars iDrive system or by disconnecting your phone completely from the car. This is a safety issue for two reasons. First the car gives you erroneous navigation instructions which can confuse you and potentially lead to an accident. But more importantly, the car is giving your phone the incorrect geo-location. This means that when you look at any map on your phone it shows you in the wrong the location. Modern iPhones have an SOS feature. If your car crashes, it will call 911 and relay your location. However, it will send the *wrong* location because it only knows what the car is telling it. This problem has been seen in several different BMW models; most often with cars that have iDrive 8. Based on BMW owner community forums, BMW dealers were made aware of the problem as long ago as June 2022. BMW USA has acknowledged the problem, and if pressed will say "we are working on a resolution" but refuse to give a timeframe for a fix. In the meantime, they say "don't use CarPlay maps". But of course that doesn't address the phone GPS / SOS issue.
Our BMW i4 is equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay. CarPlay gets its geo-location (ie, GPS) data from the car. Since CarPlay is also an extension of your iPhone, the phone also is getting its GPS data from the car. In some situations, the car sends the wrong GPS data to CarPlay, and then all the mapping applications in CarPlay (and on your phone) have the wrong location. When this happens, the car is shown way off course, and the navigation app starts giving you rerouting instructions to get you back on course. Of course, these instruction are nonsensical and the locations are sometimes comical -- we live near a body of water, and the car is often shown driving through the water. This can only be corrected by rebooting the cars iDrive system or by disconnecting your phone completely from the car. This is a safety issue for two reasons. First the car gives you erroneous navigation instructions which can confuse you and potentially lead to an accident. But more importantly, the car is giving your phone the incorrect geo-location. This means that when you look at any map on your phone it shows you in the wrong the location. Modern iPhones have an SOS feature. If your car crashes, it will call 911 and relay your location. However, it will send the *wrong* location because it only knows what the car is telling it. This problem has been seen in several different BMW models; most often with cars that have iDrive 8. Based on BMW owner community forums, BMW dealers were made aware of the problem as long ago as June 2022. BMW USA has acknowledged the problem, and if pressed will say "we are working on a resolution" but refuse to give a timeframe for a fix. In the meantime, they say "don't use CarPlay maps". But of course that doesn't address the phone GPS / SOS issue.
The contact owns a 2023 BMW I4. The contact stated while turning into a parking space, the vehicle experienced sudden unintended acceleration and crashed into a post and then into a wall. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that there were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,098.
The contact owns a 2023 BMW I4. The contact stated while turning into a parking space, the vehicle experienced sudden unintended acceleration and crashed into a post and then into a wall. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that there were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The vehicle had not yet been taken to an independent mechanic or a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,098.
On [XXX], while driving on a public highway, the vehicle shut off and came to a complete stop as I was going around a roundabout. I was in the inside lane, had just finished charging in Yuma, Az., and was just about to get back on the freeway heading back into California. Thankfully, there was no one behind me at that moment and I was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving. After arriving at my destination in Winterhaven, CA, I later saw that I had two missed calls from BMW Roadside Assistance. They called to check on my welfare as, unbeknownst to me, the vehicle sent out an alert as a result of the incident. 12/30/2023, I took the vehicle to BMW of San Diego (where I leased the car from) regarding the above mentioned incident as well as repeated Drivetrain Malfunction warnings. The vehicle had 43,770 miles on it. By 1/12/2024, the dealership informed me they could not replicate the problem, and what I found most alarming, was they could find no evidence that it ever happened. I asked if they could promise me it would not happen again, they could not. This caused me great fear for myself and for others. All they could offer was that I could file a claim with BMW of North America, which I did that same day. It was not until 3/19/2024 that BMW notified me they rejected my claim. On [XXX], as I was returning home from El Centro, CA, I received a warning message, "URGENT HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEM CHECK UP" and directing me to the nearest service center. Again, I took the vehicle to BMW of SD, stopping to charge along the way, because the range was dropping rapidly. The mileage was 95,074, still under warranty. Again, they found nothing and made me take the car back. Ultimately, on [XXX], another alert "Range reduced: Limited charging possible. Have problem checked by the nearest service center." At BMW of El Cajon I was told that Cell Module #2 had failed and would need to be replaced, but now the car was out of warranty and my cost would be $23,366. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A
On [XXX], while driving on a public highway, the vehicle shut off and came to a complete stop as I was going around a roundabout. I was in the inside lane, had just finished charging in Yuma, Az., and was just about to get back on the freeway heading back into California. Thankfully, there was no one behind me at that moment and I was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving. After arriving at my destination in Winterhaven, CA, I later saw that I had two missed calls from BMW Roadside Assistance. They called to check on my welfare as, unbeknownst to me, the vehicle sent out an alert as a result of the incident. 12/30/2023, I took the vehicle to BMW of San Diego (where I leased the car from) regarding the above mentioned incident as well as repeated Drivetrain Malfunction warnings. The vehicle had 43,770 miles on it. By 1/12/2024, the dealership informed me they could not replicate the problem, and what I found most alarming, was they could find no evidence that it ever happened. I asked if they could promise me it would not happen again, they could not. This caused me great fear for myself and for others. All they could offer was that I could file a claim with BMW of North America, which I did that same day. It was not until 3/19/2024 that BMW notified me they rejected my claim. On [XXX], as I was returning home from El Centro, CA, I received a warning message, "URGENT HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEM CHECK UP" and directing me to the nearest service center. Again, I took the vehicle to BMW of SD, stopping to charge along the way, because the range was dropping rapidly. The mileage was 95,074, still under warranty. Again, they found nothing and made me take the car back. Ultimately, on [XXX], another alert "Range reduced: Limited charging possible. Have problem checked by the nearest service center." At BMW of El Cajon I was told that Cell Module #2 had failed and would need to be replaced, but now the car was out of warranty and my cost would be $23,366. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A
I was driving about 30 mph when I was prompted with the following error message, “Drive train fault, restart not possible, High Voltage Battery,” I was able to drive home which was about 1 mile away. I drove the car home, parked it and turned it off for 45 minutes then I attempted to turn it on but was unable to and continued to receive the same message. Side note, this vehicle was purchased from BMW Beverly Hills on 1/25/26 and not a month went by before I ran into this issue.
I was driving about 30 mph when I was prompted with the following error message, “Drive train fault, restart not possible, High Voltage Battery,” I was able to drive home which was about 1 mile away. I drove the car home, parked it and turned it off for 45 minutes then I attempted to turn it on but was unable to and continued to receive the same message. Side note, this vehicle was purchased from BMW Beverly Hills on 1/25/26 and not a month went by before I ran into this issue.
The sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving on the freeway. The sun shade was closed but had it been open, the glass would have entered the cabin and potential for harm. In addition, the loud bang was a distraction and had there been more heavy traffic there was potential for accident. There was no identified object that hit the sunroof. The car was taken to the dealership for repair and inspection.
The sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving on the freeway. The sun shade was closed but had it been open, the glass would have entered the cabin and potential for harm. In addition, the loud bang was a distraction and had there been more heavy traffic there was potential for accident. There was no identified object that hit the sunroof. The car was taken to the dealership for repair and inspection.
On [XXX] in Columbia SC, my vehicle reported a drivetrain failure at approximately 1800 and advised me to pullover immediately and contact roadside assistance. I promptly parked in the safest space I could approximately within 50 yards of receiving the alert. The vehicle would no longer move once parked to include neutral. BMW roadside assistance took 48 hours to pick up and transport the vehicle to my dealer in Florence SC. I was informed of a recall on the vehicle by the dealership and advised they would not be able to diagnose and repair until they obtained a part from another dealer that allowed them to put it into neutral. Very few updates were provided by the dealership. On 23 December I was informed the vehicle was repaired and ready. I was informed the problem was with the 12 volt battery. The battery was not replaced as it was deemed to be functioning properly after the computer system was updated. I picked up the vehicle on [XXX] with my daughter to drive it 2 miles to our home. 1.5 mile after leaving the dealership the warning came on again causing my daughter to not be able to move the vehicle out of the road at an intersection. The car could not be put into neutral to move it. BMW roadside assistance informed it would be 48 hours before the vehicle could be towed despite me telling them that it was in the flow of traffic. They advised me to locate a tow truck and I would be reimbursed. I contacted USAA roadside and they were able to have a tow truck to the vehicle 3 hours after the failure. I consider this failure to be very dangerous as the vehicle cannot be placed into neutral to move it out of the flow of traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On [XXX] in Columbia SC, my vehicle reported a drivetrain failure at approximately 1800 and advised me to pullover immediately and contact roadside assistance. I promptly parked in the safest space I could approximately within 50 yards of receiving the alert. The vehicle would no longer move once parked to include neutral. BMW roadside assistance took 48 hours to pick up and transport the vehicle to my dealer in Florence SC. I was informed of a recall on the vehicle by the dealership and advised they would not be able to diagnose and repair until they obtained a part from another dealer that allowed them to put it into neutral. Very few updates were provided by the dealership. On 23 December I was informed the vehicle was repaired and ready. I was informed the problem was with the 12 volt battery. The battery was not replaced as it was deemed to be functioning properly after the computer system was updated. I picked up the vehicle on [XXX] with my daughter to drive it 2 miles to our home. 1.5 mile after leaving the dealership the warning came on again causing my daughter to not be able to move the vehicle out of the road at an intersection. The car could not be put into neutral to move it. BMW roadside assistance informed it would be 48 hours before the vehicle could be towed despite me telling them that it was in the flow of traffic. They advised me to locate a tow truck and I would be reimbursed. I contacted USAA roadside and they were able to have a tow truck to the vehicle 3 hours after the failure. I consider this failure to be very dangerous as the vehicle cannot be placed into neutral to move it out of the flow of traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While merging onto an interstate at speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power and came to a complete stop in an active traffic lane. Approximately six weeks earlier, abnormal drivetrain behavior (hesitation and torque interruption) was reported to the dealer. The dealer attributed the issue to tires and recommended tire replacement. No drivetrain diagnostics were performed. Immediately following the incident, a drivetrain malfunction warning occurred. BMW remotely restricted vehicle operation to allow limited driving back to my residence. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer. BMW subsequently confirmed catastrophic electric motor failure requiring full motor replacement. The incident created an immediate risk of collision with surrounding traffic and represents a serious safety defect involving unexpected deceleration and loss of propulsion.
While merging onto an interstate at speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power and came to a complete stop in an active traffic lane. Approximately six weeks earlier, abnormal drivetrain behavior (hesitation and torque interruption) was reported to the dealer. The dealer attributed the issue to tires and recommended tire replacement. No drivetrain diagnostics were performed. Immediately following the incident, a drivetrain malfunction warning occurred. BMW remotely restricted vehicle operation to allow limited driving back to my residence. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer. BMW subsequently confirmed catastrophic electric motor failure requiring full motor replacement. The incident created an immediate risk of collision with surrounding traffic and represents a serious safety defect involving unexpected deceleration and loss of propulsion.
I am reporting a recurring safety issue with my 2023 BMW i4 (VIN: [XXX] ), currently at 28,426 miles. The vehicle has experienced three separate incidents of unexpected and complete loss of power while driving. The first incident occurred in March 2025. The vehicle suddenly lost all propulsion without warning and came to an immediate hard stop. I was later informed this was related to a wheel-positioning sensor. The second incident occurred in October 2025. I had been told that a recall software update would resolve the problem, but the vehicle experienced another loss of power while in motion, showing the issue was not corrected. The third and most concerning incident occurred in November 2025. Multiple error messages appeared instructing me to stop driving immediately, and the vehicle again lost power while moving. A complete loss of propulsion in traffic—especially while merging or pulling into a roadway—creates a severe safety hazard because I am unable to move the vehicle out of the way of oncoming traffic. This puts both myself and other drivers at risk. BMW has acknowledged awareness of issues related to these systems during previous service visits, but the defect continues to occur despite attempted repairs and software updates. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this matter, as repeated power-loss events pose a significant safety risk that could lead to crashes, injuries, or fatalities. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am reporting a recurring safety issue with my 2023 BMW i4 (VIN: [XXX] ), currently at 28,426 miles. The vehicle has experienced three separate incidents of unexpected and complete loss of power while driving. The first incident occurred in March 2025. The vehicle suddenly lost all propulsion without warning and came to an immediate hard stop. I was later informed this was related to a wheel-positioning sensor. The second incident occurred in October 2025. I had been told that a recall software update would resolve the problem, but the vehicle experienced another loss of power while in motion, showing the issue was not corrected. The third and most concerning incident occurred in November 2025. Multiple error messages appeared instructing me to stop driving immediately, and the vehicle again lost power while moving. A complete loss of propulsion in traffic—especially while merging or pulling into a roadway—creates a severe safety hazard because I am unable to move the vehicle out of the way of oncoming traffic. This puts both myself and other drivers at risk. BMW has acknowledged awareness of issues related to these systems during previous service visits, but the defect continues to occur despite attempted repairs and software updates. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this matter, as repeated power-loss events pose a significant safety risk that could lead to crashes, injuries, or fatalities. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The sunroof of my BMW i4 exploded and shattered while I was driving under light rain on 45-mph road. The explosion was very loud and scary. Luckily sunroof sliding shade was closed otherwise shattered glass will fall inside of car.
The sunroof of my BMW i4 exploded and shattered while I was driving under light rain on 45-mph road. The explosion was very loud and scary. Luckily sunroof sliding shade was closed otherwise shattered glass will fall inside of car.
The vehicle randomly caught fire after sitting idle for approximately 8 hours. Going to a conference in Aria Las Vegas and drove over 260 Miles. There was no issues, no indicator warning lights or strange noises during the drive. Arrived at Aira approximately 4:00PM. Parked vehicle on the third floor of the Aira Self-Parking and did not touch the car after parking the car. I received a call at approximately 12:00AM that night from Aria Security. From Aria Security, stated that vehicle has caught fire. Fire was put out by Clark County Fire department, fire report received. A whiteness who called Aria Security, stated he heard loud popping, like small explosions, from driver side front tire before the fire started. Clark County Fire Department stated fire originated on driver side front of engine area. Battery not involved. Car is total loss. BMW NA performed a visual exam only. BMW NA stated that due to damage and connectors being present, could not find cause of fire and unwilling to perform a more detailed inspection. Cause of Fire and involved components are unknown at this time.
The vehicle randomly caught fire after sitting idle for approximately 8 hours. Going to a conference in Aria Las Vegas and drove over 260 Miles. There was no issues, no indicator warning lights or strange noises during the drive. Arrived at Aira approximately 4:00PM. Parked vehicle on the third floor of the Aira Self-Parking and did not touch the car after parking the car. I received a call at approximately 12:00AM that night from Aria Security. From Aria Security, stated that vehicle has caught fire. Fire was put out by Clark County Fire department, fire report received. A whiteness who called Aria Security, stated he heard loud popping, like small explosions, from driver side front tire before the fire started. Clark County Fire Department stated fire originated on driver side front of engine area. Battery not involved. Car is total loss. BMW NA performed a visual exam only. BMW NA stated that due to damage and connectors being present, could not find cause of fire and unwilling to perform a more detailed inspection. Cause of Fire and involved components are unknown at this time.
We had a drivetrain malfunction losing all power to car as we were driving.The car lost all control and drove less than 20 feet before coming to a complete stop on the middle of the road. We were not notified about any recalls on the car and just saw there was one on your site. BMW has now had our car for 3 weeks and has had their engineers working on it saying they are testing teach individual power cell at this time. They have not provided us any feedback other than this and a timeline of when we will get our car back.
We had a drivetrain malfunction losing all power to car as we were driving.The car lost all control and drove less than 20 feet before coming to a complete stop on the middle of the road. We were not notified about any recalls on the car and just saw there was one on your site. BMW has now had our car for 3 weeks and has had their engineers working on it saying they are testing teach individual power cell at this time. They have not provided us any feedback other than this and a timeline of when we will get our car back.
Electrical system stalling stopping the car it won’t move breaking system
Electrical system stalling stopping the car it won’t move breaking system
While driving, the vehicle experiences intermittent braking failures, electrical glitches, and/or sudden loss of power. These issues match known problems reported on similar 2023 BMW i4 models. My VIN does not show an recall campaigns needing VIN-specific checks, but I am experiencing dangerous symptoms. I am concerned for my safety and others. I respectfully request an investigation.”
While driving, the vehicle experiences intermittent braking failures, electrical glitches, and/or sudden loss of power. These issues match known problems reported on similar 2023 BMW i4 models. My VIN does not show an recall campaigns needing VIN-specific checks, but I am experiencing dangerous symptoms. I am concerned for my safety and others. I respectfully request an investigation.”
The only way I could explain it was as if my brakes were failing. After joining the bmw i4 group on Facebook and having my kids record while driving. I was able to capture the issue. The vehicle drive train will malfunction causing the vehicle to move while not in motion when at a stop light. The vehicle will accelerate on its on. It has recently power off on me while driving and restart back up. I took it to the dealership they said it was fine. I took it today. They couldn’t offer me and my kid ride home or a loaner due to policy. I even asked to trade my car in. I was told that I was driving it wrong. I know my car keeps data on when these incidents occur. I have photos.
The only way I could explain it was as if my brakes were failing. After joining the bmw i4 group on Facebook and having my kids record while driving. I was able to capture the issue. The vehicle drive train will malfunction causing the vehicle to move while not in motion when at a stop light. The vehicle will accelerate on its on. It has recently power off on me while driving and restart back up. I took it to the dealership they said it was fine. I took it today. They couldn’t offer me and my kid ride home or a loaner due to policy. I even asked to trade my car in. I was told that I was driving it wrong. I know my car keeps data on when these incidents occur. I have photos.
The contact owns a 2023 BMW i4. The contact stated that while driving at 20-30 MPH with a fully charged battery, the engine seized on two separate occasions. There was an abnormal grinding sound detected. The inoperable do not drive message was displayed after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with drive unit failure. The drive unit, rear axle, and battery were replaced, but the failure recurred. While his son was driving at approximately 30 MPH, the engine seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed two weeks later to the local dealer again, where it was diagnosed that the drive unit and drive axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case; the contact requested a buyback, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
The contact owns a 2023 BMW i4. The contact stated that while driving at 20-30 MPH with a fully charged battery, the engine seized on two separate occasions. There was an abnormal grinding sound detected. The inoperable do not drive message was displayed after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with drive unit failure. The drive unit, rear axle, and battery were replaced, but the failure recurred. While his son was driving at approximately 30 MPH, the engine seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed two weeks later to the local dealer again, where it was diagnosed that the drive unit and drive axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case; the contact requested a buyback, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
The contact owns a 2023 BMW I4. The contact stated that while driving into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly shut off with the message "Drive Train Malfunction" displayed. The vehicle was restarted but would not shift into gear and could no longer be driven. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
The contact owns a 2023 BMW I4. The contact stated that while driving into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly shut off with the message "Drive Train Malfunction" displayed. The vehicle was restarted but would not shift into gear and could no longer be driven. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
As I was driving my car into the main avenue out of a parking lot, the car stalled and lost all power, the charge went from 57% to 0% and the power train failure warning came on the dashboard and a high voltage warning as well. The incoming traffic had to stop since I could not move the car, so I had to turn power off and power back and only then the car started to move slowly, the battery charge went up only to 37% and both warnings were displayed on the dashboard (high voltage warning and power train failure) with a message that said that it was OK to drive the car to a dealership to get the car checked.
As I was driving my car into the main avenue out of a parking lot, the car stalled and lost all power, the charge went from 57% to 0% and the power train failure warning came on the dashboard and a high voltage warning as well. The incoming traffic had to stop since I could not move the car, so I had to turn power off and power back and only then the car started to move slowly, the battery charge went up only to 37% and both warnings were displayed on the dashboard (high voltage warning and power train failure) with a message that said that it was OK to drive the car to a dealership to get the car checked.
My 2023 electric BMW i4 was driving normally on the evening of 11/29/2023. I was near the end of a 30 minute commute when a drivetrain error popped on the screen followed by an error that said "increased steering effort." Within seconds of those messages, without any physical signs of an issue, the car completely lost all power and steering and abruptly stopped in the middle of the street. As the car abruptly broke down, it went into park. It was so abrupt that there wasn't even time to pull over or coast to a safer area. I was stopped in the middle of the street. I couldn't restart the car nor could I shift the car into neutral. The car required a tow to the dealership. This is a SERIOUS safety issue. Had I been on a busier street or highway and suddenly lost all power and steering, I could have gravely injured myself and others. The vehicle has since been inspected by the local service center. They said there is a manufacturing defect with the copper brushes in the electric engine. They said the fix is to disassemble the motor to perform a labor-intensive cleaning. However, what is to prevent this issue from happening again? Especially since no parts are being replaced according to BMW. A car breaking down is one thing. A car abruptly stopping and losing all power and steering is an unacceptable failure. I am scared to drive this car ever again.
My 2023 electric BMW i4 was driving normally on the evening of 11/29/2023. I was near the end of a 30 minute commute when a drivetrain error popped on the screen followed by an error that said "increased steering effort." Within seconds of those messages, without any physical signs of an issue, the car completely lost all power and steering and abruptly stopped in the middle of the street. As the car abruptly broke down, it went into park. It was so abrupt that there wasn't even time to pull over or coast to a safer area. I was stopped in the middle of the street. I couldn't restart the car nor could I shift the car into neutral. The car required a tow to the dealership. This is a SERIOUS safety issue. Had I been on a busier street or highway and suddenly lost all power and steering, I could have gravely injured myself and others. The vehicle has since been inspected by the local service center. They said there is a manufacturing defect with the copper brushes in the electric engine. They said the fix is to disassemble the motor to perform a labor-intensive cleaning. However, what is to prevent this issue from happening again? Especially since no parts are being replaced according to BMW. A car breaking down is one thing. A car abruptly stopping and losing all power and steering is an unacceptable failure. I am scared to drive this car ever again.
The contact owns a 2023 BMW I4. The contact stated while reversing, the drive train malfunction warning light illuminated. The contact proceeded with his commute however, the steering warning light illuminated, and the vehicle shifted into park independently. There were several messages displayed on the infotainment screen, and the contact was unable to shift the vehicle back into drive. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,000.
The contact owns a 2023 BMW I4. The contact stated while reversing, the drive train malfunction warning light illuminated. The contact proceeded with his commute however, the steering warning light illuminated, and the vehicle shifted into park independently. There were several messages displayed on the infotainment screen, and the contact was unable to shift the vehicle back into drive. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,000.
Vehicle is an EV (platform G26) and charger flap door was locked and would not open. Problem is similar to problem reported on NHTSA for BMW vehicles for "fuel filler door will not open", SIB 51 27 20. Safety issue is vehicle can not be charged and creates risk for driver and passengers being stranded. Older BMW vehicles had an emergency release but new models eliminated this feature. Vehicle was taken to dealership for repair and item know as cover pot defect was confirmed and replaced. Requested confirmation that replacement part addressed root cause but dealership would not offer any assurances.
Vehicle is an EV (platform G26) and charger flap door was locked and would not open. Problem is similar to problem reported on NHTSA for BMW vehicles for "fuel filler door will not open", SIB 51 27 20. Safety issue is vehicle can not be charged and creates risk for driver and passengers being stranded. Older BMW vehicles had an emergency release but new models eliminated this feature. Vehicle was taken to dealership for repair and item know as cover pot defect was confirmed and replaced. Requested confirmation that replacement part addressed root cause but dealership would not offer any assurances.
The car is brand new and does not connect to a level 3 charger. BMW service has no idea how to fix.
The car is brand new and does not connect to a level 3 charger. BMW service has no idea how to fix.
On 6/8/23 I tried to start my car and received the following error: "Drivetrain malfunction: Driving not possible. Call Roadside Assistance" and the car turned off. I tried 3 more times to start the car and received the same message. I could not drive my car, and had it immediately towed to the dealer. This is a brand new 2023 BMW i4 eDrive40 with only 1469 miles on it. Yes, the problem has been confirmed by the dealer, testing confirmed faults for the high voltage battery and a 30F current violation and sporadic software issue. As of 6/23/23, my car is still sitting at the dealer waiting for a fix (estimated for August). There is a recall for some 2023 i4 eDrive40s (campaign # 22V944000) regarding the high voltage battery electronic control unit (ECU) that may cause an interruption of electrical power, and risk of crash increases. I believe my vehicle should be included in this.
On 6/8/23 I tried to start my car and received the following error: "Drivetrain malfunction: Driving not possible. Call Roadside Assistance" and the car turned off. I tried 3 more times to start the car and received the same message. I could not drive my car, and had it immediately towed to the dealer. This is a brand new 2023 BMW i4 eDrive40 with only 1469 miles on it. Yes, the problem has been confirmed by the dealer, testing confirmed faults for the high voltage battery and a 30F current violation and sporadic software issue. As of 6/23/23, my car is still sitting at the dealer waiting for a fix (estimated for August). There is a recall for some 2023 i4 eDrive40s (campaign # 22V944000) regarding the high voltage battery electronic control unit (ECU) that may cause an interruption of electrical power, and risk of crash increases. I believe my vehicle should be included in this.
Drivetrain malfunction, made car inoperable. Went into park mode. No neutral ability to move. Had to be special tow. Car is 2 days old. Only 200 miles on odometer. Check internet, many many same issues.
Drivetrain malfunction, made car inoperable. Went into park mode. No neutral ability to move. Had to be special tow. Car is 2 days old. Only 200 miles on odometer. Check internet, many many same issues.
A small spill of liquid (unsweetened iced tea) on the gear shift area inches from the cup holder shorted out the entire transmission of the vehicle, rendering it immovable. This happened while pulling into our garage, but if it had happened while the car was moving on the road it could have caused a catastrophic accident.
A small spill of liquid (unsweetened iced tea) on the gear shift area inches from the cup holder shorted out the entire transmission of the vehicle, rendering it immovable. This happened while pulling into our garage, but if it had happened while the car was moving on the road it could have caused a catastrophic accident.
Wireless CarPlay is not operating correctly and proving to be a hazard in driving. Often times, the GPS will randomly shift the “location of the car”, making it unsafe to drive because it is off by several miles, and a distraction because the screen moves with the location ping. I’ve reported this to apple and BMW several times over the last few months since January. Attached are just three of several instances in which this has happened (and I had a friend who was able to screenshot these).
Wireless CarPlay is not operating correctly and proving to be a hazard in driving. Often times, the GPS will randomly shift the “location of the car”, making it unsafe to drive because it is off by several miles, and a distraction because the screen moves with the location ping. I’ve reported this to apple and BMW several times over the last few months since January. Attached are just three of several instances in which this has happened (and I had a friend who was able to screenshot these).
The on-board GPS sends incorrect information to Apple CarPlay devices, including both location and dead reckoning. This means that any application on the phone--including SOS and 911 calls—sends inaccurate location information when this is occurring. It is intermittent but acknowledged by BMW as an issue. Since CarPlay specifications for wireless CarPlay note that all GNSS information comes from the car to the phone, this is 100% a BMW issue (although they point to Apple). There are reports this happens with Android Auto, as well. There are also reports of this impacting the location BMW thinks the car has, including the My BMW app, which may also impact BMW's emergency services (untested by me for obvious reasons).
The on-board GPS sends incorrect information to Apple CarPlay devices, including both location and dead reckoning. This means that any application on the phone--including SOS and 911 calls—sends inaccurate location information when this is occurring. It is intermittent but acknowledged by BMW as an issue. Since CarPlay specifications for wireless CarPlay note that all GNSS information comes from the car to the phone, this is 100% a BMW issue (although they point to Apple). There are reports this happens with Android Auto, as well. There are also reports of this impacting the location BMW thinks the car has, including the My BMW app, which may also impact BMW's emergency services (untested by me for obvious reasons).
On December 9, 2022, I tried to start my car in my garage. The car would not start..The dash read stop auto train failure contact roadside assistance. After calling my car salesman who told me I had to contact roadside assistance myself, I did so. Roadside assistance informed me they were unable to diagnose/correct the problem, and called a tow truck. The car was towed to dealership that day and has been on the lot ever since. After many consultations with the BMW people in Germany, the analysis was that the cell monitoring circuit module needed to be replaced and the replacement part is scheduled to arrive Mid-March, 2023.
On December 9, 2022, I tried to start my car in my garage. The car would not start..The dash read stop auto train failure contact roadside assistance. After calling my car salesman who told me I had to contact roadside assistance myself, I did so. Roadside assistance informed me they were unable to diagnose/correct the problem, and called a tow truck. The car was towed to dealership that day and has been on the lot ever since. After many consultations with the BMW people in Germany, the analysis was that the cell monitoring circuit module needed to be replaced and the replacement part is scheduled to arrive Mid-March, 2023.
I am reporting a recurring, catastrophic suspension defect in my 2023 BMW i4 eDrive40 that results in life-threatening rear tire failure. Despite adhering to all maintenance schedules, the vehicle's rear axle geometry fails to maintain stability, leading to extreme, accelerated inner-tread wear while the center and outer tread remains healthy. Timeline of Events: Initial Incident 5/4/2025 (21,493 miles): Suffered a sudden rear tire blowout while driving due to the inner tire wall wearing down to the metal cords. The dealer (BMW of Fort Lauderdale) performed an alignment and replaced the tires on my expense. Recurring Failure 3/6/2026 (35,200 miles): Less than 14,000 miles after the dealer-certified alignment, the new rear tires have reached a catastrophic state. The inner shoulders are completely bald (2.7mm inner vs 4.8mm outer), exposing the safety protector and creating an imminent risk of a second high-speed blowout. Manufacturer Response: The authorized dealer inspected the vehicle on 3/9/26 and stated the "alignment is within factory specifications," yet they refused to address why a vehicle "in spec" is destroying safety-critical components in under 14k miles. This indicates either a fundamental design flaw in the suspension components (e.g., bushings or control arms unable to support EV weight/torque) or defective factory alignment parameters provided by BMW for this specific model. Safety Hazard & Lack of Warning: This defect is a "silent killer." The failure occurs on the innermost edge of the tire, which is physically obscured by the vehicle’s body and cannot be seen during a standard walk-around. Because this EV has no regular service intervals (like oil changes), there is no professional opportunity to inspect the inner tires. A driver has no way to predict or diagnose this before a sudden, high-speed blowout occurs. BMW claims the car is "within spec," which indicates a fundamental design flaw that makes the vehicle un-roadworthy and dangerous
I am reporting a recurring, catastrophic suspension defect in my 2023 BMW i4 eDrive40 that results in life-threatening rear tire failure. Despite adhering to all maintenance schedules, the vehicle's rear axle geometry fails to maintain stability, leading to extreme, accelerated inner-tread wear while the center and outer tread remains healthy. Timeline of Events: Initial Incident 5/4/2025 (21,493 miles): Suffered a sudden rear tire blowout while driving due to the inner tire wall wearing down to the metal cords. The dealer (BMW of Fort Lauderdale) performed an alignment and replaced the tires on my expense. Recurring Failure 3/6/2026 (35,200 miles): Less than 14,000 miles after the dealer-certified alignment, the new rear tires have reached a catastrophic state. The inner shoulders are completely bald (2.7mm inner vs 4.8mm outer), exposing the safety protector and creating an imminent risk of a second high-speed blowout. Manufacturer Response: The authorized dealer inspected the vehicle on 3/9/26 and stated the "alignment is within factory specifications," yet they refused to address why a vehicle "in spec" is destroying safety-critical components in under 14k miles. This indicates either a fundamental design flaw in the suspension components (e.g., bushings or control arms unable to support EV weight/torque) or defective factory alignment parameters provided by BMW for this specific model. Safety Hazard & Lack of Warning: This defect is a "silent killer." The failure occurs on the innermost edge of the tire, which is physically obscured by the vehicle’s body and cannot be seen during a standard walk-around. Because this EV has no regular service intervals (like oil changes), there is no professional opportunity to inspect the inner tires. A driver has no way to predict or diagnose this before a sudden, high-speed blowout occurs. BMW claims the car is "within spec," which indicates a fundamental design flaw that makes the vehicle un-roadworthy and dangerous
Slowed to a stop with B mode engaged. Suddenly car lurched forward prompting me to slam on the brakes. No one was injured or vehicles damaged but it was unsettling. No warning or other issues prior to failure. No manufacture has looked at it and since it’s likely unable to reproduce often a test drive would likely not see it either.
Slowed to a stop with B mode engaged. Suddenly car lurched forward prompting me to slam on the brakes. No one was injured or vehicles damaged but it was unsettling. No warning or other issues prior to failure. No manufacture has looked at it and since it’s likely unable to reproduce often a test drive would likely not see it either.
I believe the tire size is 245 R40 19. The tires interior seams on both rear tires are coming apart. Car has just passed 21K miles, and is driven very carefully. No pothole damage either.
I believe the tire size is 245 R40 19. The tires interior seams on both rear tires are coming apart. Car has just passed 21K miles, and is driven very carefully. No pothole damage either.
I was driving down a residential street with cars parked on both sides. My car stopped very suddenly because the passenger side front tire was pierced and flattened by something on the road. Almost simultaneously the car began to oscillate or jolt from side to side and hit a car parked on my driver’s side very hard and then oscillated back to a parallel position. This is a known problem on the i4 edrive community website. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was driving down a residential street with cars parked on both sides. My car stopped very suddenly because the passenger side front tire was pierced and flattened by something on the road. Almost simultaneously the car began to oscillate or jolt from side to side and hit a car parked on my driver’s side very hard and then oscillated back to a parallel position. This is a known problem on the i4 edrive community website. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
This is a fully electric vehicle and upon arriving at a charger, the charging port door on the car would not open. It is a manual door - normally just push on the outside of the door and it pops opens. In this instance, pushing on the door did nothing, the door was stuck and would not open, putting my safety at risk as I could not charge the vehicle and had only limited range left to drive. No lights or warning messages appeared in the car. I contacted BMW roadside assistance who had me try multiple things, none of which worked. I was then advised there was no way to open the charging door without bringing it to the dealer. This left me, a single female on a road trip with my child 4 hours from home, stuck in a parking lot as darkness was approaching unable to charge my perfectly functioning vehicle. A quick google search revealed this is a known issue to BMW and many have been replaced under warranty, although no recall has been issued. We are expected to just drive with faulty charge door mechanisms until they fail, and just hope and pray you're in a safe place when it happens or have enough charge to get to a BMW dealer. The vehicle has not yet been repaired, waiting on a service appointment.
This is a fully electric vehicle and upon arriving at a charger, the charging port door on the car would not open. It is a manual door - normally just push on the outside of the door and it pops opens. In this instance, pushing on the door did nothing, the door was stuck and would not open, putting my safety at risk as I could not charge the vehicle and had only limited range left to drive. No lights or warning messages appeared in the car. I contacted BMW roadside assistance who had me try multiple things, none of which worked. I was then advised there was no way to open the charging door without bringing it to the dealer. This left me, a single female on a road trip with my child 4 hours from home, stuck in a parking lot as darkness was approaching unable to charge my perfectly functioning vehicle. A quick google search revealed this is a known issue to BMW and many have been replaced under warranty, although no recall has been issued. We are expected to just drive with faulty charge door mechanisms until they fail, and just hope and pray you're in a safe place when it happens or have enough charge to get to a BMW dealer. The vehicle has not yet been repaired, waiting on a service appointment.
When using navigation with CarPlay the position can become incorrect. This happens inconsistently but when it happens can happen suddenly. It is distracting as the navigation keeps re-routing and this often makes the map rotate in the big central display. It can also disorient the driver if they are driving in an area which is not familiar to them.
When using navigation with CarPlay the position can become incorrect. This happens inconsistently but when it happens can happen suddenly. It is distracting as the navigation keeps re-routing and this often makes the map rotate in the big central display. It can also disorient the driver if they are driving in an area which is not familiar to them.
What Owners Are Saying
"The other answer is very thorough, but I love driving my i4 so much so I’ll tap out my opinion anyway! 1. Yes, I get 180-220 from 80%. 300 miles from 100% is possible too even in winter, so if you need good range there’s nothing wrong with charging to 100% and using it. Early opinions are that battery degradation isn’t as much of a worry as first thought, and leaving the car parked for days at 100% is what does the most damage anyway. 2. Yes, you can set a timer or just use the app to precondition for up to 30mins. It takes at most 10 mins to clear frost off the windscreen for me. 3. The MyBMW app is fine, I don’t use it much but it does the job and very rarely fails to connect to the car. Features include charge level, tracking, cabin preconditioning, battery preconditioning, lock/unlock, odometer and trip records. 4. The BMW nav is good, I prefer Google on CarPlay but like you asked about I use the built-in navigation occasionally in low signal areas and it works well, adding traffic and recalculating as the cellular signal improves. Most importantly the i4 is a pleasure to drive. It may not be as feature rich as other EVs but it’s very very good at what it does, being fast and comfortable. Get one with the Harmon Kardon audio and Adaptive Cruise Control if possible, they are also extremely high quality features and add a lot to the luxury feel. Edit: one last thing, in an age where cars make you turn a bunch of safety features off every single time you start the car, BMW have done well. You hold a physical button on the steering wheel for two seconds to turn off speed limit pings, lane guidance settings are persistent and if set off will stay off."
"BMW i4 General Discussions Forum darrensapper Nov 7, 2022 First 2 days with my eDrive40 I picked up my eDrive40 (black sapphire, Canberra beige interior, premium package, HK stereo, and wireless charger) on Saturday morning and I am so happy with this beautiful machine. I drove a good amount this weekend and want to share my experience so far. This is my first BMW and my first... 296.4KBMWQuestion replied May 31, 2023 BMW i4 Charging & Batteries jwmster Dec 9, 2022 80% SOC Range Estimate? I4 E40, 18-inch wheels"
"The i4's range on the highway is actually a bit higher than my Model 3 LR. Here is my consumption in my i4 M50, the least efficient i4 model: So at 3.4mi/kWh, with i4's battery having 80kWh usable capacity, the range turns out to be 272 miles/435 km, and that's with me driving quite aggressively, in the most performance model with larger wheels. >Tesla is obviously incredible with its screen and user friendliness. Navigation, entertainment (apple music, spotify, youtube etc.) system, remote access, tesla app etc. are working very well. Screen is so smooth. Honestly I prefer CarPlay over Tesla's system, especially since you get better audio quality that way since it's over Wi-fi instead of Bluetooth. >ll Tesla's standard autopilot is enough in many ways but I am not sure about i4 adaptive cruise control or other autopilot system so it would be really good if some user can provide details about i4 autopilot features. BMW has no equivalent to the FSD, but when compared to standard AP, I find it superior to the AP I had in my old Model 3. The attention monitoring system ensures that you don't need to touch the steering wheel under 40mph. Not sure if the new Model 3s changed that. At higher speed, my Model 3 had better lane keeping for sharper curves, however my BMW has never experienced phantom braking while it was a daily occurrence in my Model 3. If you go with the RWD i4 e40, it will be the most efficient model and should get about 300mi+ real world range, under temperament weather. >When I had the test drive, it regenerative braking was not working similarly as Tesla "hold" mode. You need to shift it into "B" mode, not D (drive). Once you do it works quite similarly to Tesla. Finally, as far as tech goes the cabin tech of the i4 blows the Model 3 out of the water, *if* you get options like 3D surround camera and HUD."
"I got my eDrive40 at the start of May 2022 and love it - smooth, quick and a joy to drive. As with anyone moving to EV, I was worried about quoted vs realistic range, but after some longer rangte real-world experiments this week, I'm now much happier. 23.4Kjojack30 replied Aug 17, 2022 2022+ BMW i4 Reviews aaronf Aug 14, 2022 Personal - 330 miles to Maine with a week-old eDrive40 My dealership came through and I received my i4 eDrive40 last Saturday. Just in time to trek 330+ miles from New York to Maine to pick up my kid from camp. Tanzanite Blue, Cognac leather, 18” wheels, Driving Assistance Professional + Parking Assistance."
"BMW i4 charge port damaged - denied warranty claim ***UPDATE (5/30/25): After moving my allegiance to BMW of The Woodlands I had the Service Manager there exert his influence with BMW USA to cut my contribution to the repair to about 33% of the cost. Still not an ideal outcome for damage that wasn’t my fault however a far better $ outcome for me. Kudos to Jason & Jeff at that dealership. My i4 is fully charged and ready to go! My 2023 BMW i4 40 'M' package with 14,000 miles on the clock has a damaged anode/cathode in the charging port and I just heard from BMW USA that the warranty claim is being denied due to what they propose is 'external influence' that caused the damage. I don't see how they could plausibly make this assertion given it seems almost impossible for a customer to create that damage through any other way than normal use of the 3rd party charging station. This implies a design fault to me. Any other owners had this issue? My dealer has priced a repair at over $9000 which is unfathomable to me. Any alternative ideas for getting it repaired?"
"Alexpapas Jul 11, 2025 OTA Software Upgrade - Download Stuck At 49% I love the M50, but BMW is still in the dark ages regarding software. Things that Kia and Toyota do easily and flawlessly are a huge challenge for BMW. I downloaded the latest version of the software for the car, 03/2025.71, to my iPhone and then followed the instructions to upload it to the... 936.4KAlexpapas replied Sep 9, 2025 BMW i4 Infotainment & Technology clint.owen Oct 6, 2025 OTA Software Update Removed Charger Icons from Navigation Map"
"- **EV-specific settings like charging**– the control and functionality of the car’s charging features are just plain bad. Coming from Teslas, I always wondered why people thought they needed fancy “smart” EVSEs – now I understand why, because the car’s charging controls are severely lacking. Tesla is WAY ahead in this regard. All the right things are generally there, just implemented poorly: - You can set the car to charge immediately or within a window. If you want to charge within a window, you also have to set a departure time for reasons that don’t really make sense. When set to charge in a window, the car starts charging for ~5 minutes or so no matter WHEN you plug it in, and THEN pauses the charge to start later. It’s just weird. - You can set amperage limits, but with really weird/stupid granularity. You can choose 48 amps, 32 amps, 20 amps, or any number between 16 and 6. This is, to put it mildly, dumb. I like to charge my car with excess solar on the weekends (no charge on solar feature, which I really miss), and ideally to do that I need to set an amperage limit somewhere around 25-28 amps, which is simply not possible. Dumb dumb dumb. - You can STOP charging from the app, but if you do, you can’t re-start it (WTAF). There’s a hack to work around this by setting the charge limit to something lower than the current state of charge, which “pauses” charging but doesn’t “stop” it, and then you can raise the charge limit again when you want to keep charging. But again, dumb dumb dumb. - **MyBMW app** – I knew this was going to be a thing because Tesla’s app spoiled me and is really miles better than anyone else’s. BMW’s is actually decent, better than most, but still lacking. Commands take a long time to execute (15-30 seconds to start climate conditioning, for example). Similar lag to update any other car settings. There’s an option to request a current “3D view” of your car’s surroundings, which I suppose is neat and does work, but it takes several minutes to take the pictures and render the view. Far cry from sentry mode live view. The app does keep charge/efficiency stats and gives you a monthly report, which is nice, but not as detailed as Tesla."
"Now I have the Harman/Kardon sound system (I was super stoked I finally had a proper sound system in my car but still I was a bit disappointed with it's quality at first, but I managed to find the right equalizer settings and now it sounds alright). But as I said, now -again- one of the door panels is vibrating/resonating at sounds within the 150-220 Hz range (I downloaded a frequency generator app to have this detected). It's so present even at a lower volume, you cannot ignore it. Does anyone have similar issues and know how to resolve this? I can't imagine this is normal for a € 95.000 priced car... 😤 #1· May 18, 2023 After owning my i4 M50 for 9 months the right door panel has started to vibrate/resonate with a particular type of music. It's suuuper annoying and I had this issue with my previous 320i as well, but that was with the regular BMW sound system. They replaced the door panel back then, but it didn't help."
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