Bmw I4 problems

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The BMW i4 (model code G26) is a battery electric compact executive car produced by BMW since 2021. It adopts a five-door liftback body style and is marketed as a four-door coupé. The initial concept version, named BMW i Vision Dynamics, debuted at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. It is the fifth BMW i sub-brand model, and is sold in several variants at different performance levels, including the first battery-electric variant by BMW's motorsport division. The production version was revealed in March 2021 and went on sale in November of the same year as a 2022 model.

Development and launch

An investment of about €200 million in the Munich plant was made in preparation for the 2021 series production as the G26 BMW i4 is built on the same assembly line as cars with combustion engines and plug-in hybrids. While 90% of the existing production equipment in the body shop were incorporated into the production process of the i4, several new systems were required mainly for the floor assembly and rear structure as the electric drive and high-voltage battery are different from conventional architectures. The plant was closed for six weeks in the summer of 2020 to convert more than 1000 robots in the body shop and assembly area to prepare it for the assembly of the i4. The electric motor is assembled in Dingolfing. The i4 was revealed fully production-ready in March 2021, three months ahead of schedule, and went on sale in November 2021.

Over an ownership period of 200,000 km (125,000 mi), the eDrive40 is supposed to have a 45 percent lower global warming potential than that of a comparable diesel G20 3 Series or G22 4 Series model. Furthermore, BMW enhanced the sustainability of its supply chain and increased its use of recycled materials for the i4, cutting the production emissions by 18 percent.

photo of Bmw I4 car production

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Bmw I4 model years

bmw i4 2024 photo
I4 2024
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10

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bmw i4 2023 photo
I4 2023
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bmw i4 2022 photo
I4 2022
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Common Bmw I4 problems

The BMW i4 is a luxury electric vehicle that has been praised for its performance and features. However, like any car, it is not without its issues. Here are some of the common problems that BMW i4 owners have reported:

  • Safety concerns: The BMW i4 achieved a four-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, but it underperformed in the safety assist section. The automatic emergency braking system (AEB) failed to detect a pedestrian crossing a road into which the car was turning. The rival Mercedes EQE performed far better in this regard.
  • Naming issues: BMW has a problem with its nomenclature. The mixture of numbers, letters and different capitalization styles feels confusing and wonky for even the biggest of gear heads. BMW is working on a fix to hopefully clear all that up.
  • Key not working: Some BMW i4 owners have reported issues with the key not working. This can be frustrating and may require a visit to the dealership to have the issue resolved.

These are some of the common problems that BMW i4 owners have reported. It is important to note that these issues may not affect all i4 models and that BMW is working to address them. If you are considering purchasing a BMW i4, it is always a good idea to do your research and be aware of any potential issues.

Bmw I4

What is the defect in the BMW i4?

Summary: BMW 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.

What is the problem with the BMW i4 battery?

BMW AG has recently identified a safety concern affecting a limited number of battery packs. More specifically, the laser welding process connecting the cell contacting system to a cell terminal may not have been performed appropriately.

What is the electrical issue with the BMW i4?

In January, BMW recalled over 14,000 examples of the i4, i7, and iX for an issue with the ECU's high-voltage battery software that could interrupt electrical power.

Is the i4 reliable?

Quality and Reliability 74.0/100

The 2024 BMW i4 has a predicted reliability score of 74 out of 100.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Bmw I4 years

We have researched Bmw problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Bmw I4 cars and compiled the top 3 most problematic Bmw I4 model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Bmw I4 model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Bmw I4 years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Bmw I4 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Bmw I4 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Electrical system problems
  • Unknown or other problems
  • Back over prevention problems
  • Forward collision avoidance problems
  • Tires problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Bmw I4 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by I4 model years

A total of 3 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by I4 model years

There were a total of 2 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 9 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Bmw I4 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Bmw I4 vehicles.

List of Bmw I4 complaints

Bmw I4 2022
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-18
  • Date Complaint: 2024-08-18
  • VIN: WBY73AW05NF
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: The door to access the charging port stopped opening leaving me stranded unable to get home or to a dealer for repair. If this happened on a highway I would be terrified
Bmw I4 2022
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-08-31
  • Date Complaint: 2023-11-29
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: WBY73AW0XNF
  • Components: STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: I recently had an accident with the car. I was driving in a gated subdivision under very low speed, when I put the shifter in reverse in order to back up the car, the car failed to go into reverse and gave no warning, I assumed that the car was in reserve mode and tried to accelerate , the car lurched forward instead, hit some rocks and stopped. We requested BMW engineering team to inspect the car. they failed to identify any issue with the shifter or explain why the shifter did not go into reverse and gave no warning when it happened
Bmw I4 2022
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-05-19
  • Date Complaint: 2023-06-16
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: WBY33AW07NF
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
  • Summary: My BmW I4 M50 was parked and turned off. While I was behind the wheel the car. Suddenly the car took off and hit a curb and went thru some trees. I took my cat to creviar bmw and an engineer from bmw came to check out the vehicle. The engineer checked out the car, BMW had my car for 3 and half weeks and after told me nothing was wrong with the car. I don’t trust bmw. This is my second EV. I think BMW is trying to cover up the issue.
Bmw I4 2022
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-03-05
  • Date Complaint: 2023-03-15
  • Number Of Injuries: 2
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: WBY73AW07NF
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2022 BMW i4. The contact stated that while pulling into her apartment's parking garage, the vehicle surged forward as the steering wheel independently maneuvered to the left without warning. The vehicle initially hit the rear bumper of her passenger's vehicle and then a concrete planter. The vehicle finally came to a stop once it hit her apartment building's wall. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. Bystanders called the authorities as both police and medical aide arrived at the scene. The EMT examined both the contact and her passenger at the scene. The next day, they both went to the hospital where her passenger was treated for a contusion to his sternum. The contact suffered injuries to left hand, right shoulder, both ankles, and both wrists. A police report was filed. The contact reached out to the manufacturer and was advised to have the vehicle towed to a dealer; the vehicle was eventually towed to a dealer after several other informed her that they did not service electrical vehicles. The contact stated that a crack had damaged the side of the apartment building as a result of the failure. The failure was investigated and the contact was found to be partially at fault for the failure; the contact objected to the finding and maintained that an electrical defect caused the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5,800.
Bmw I4 2022
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-03-15
  • Date Complaint: 2023-03-15
  • VIN: WBY73AW0XNF
  • Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2022 BMW I4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V026000 (Back Over Prevention, Forward Collision Avoidance) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Bmw I4 2022
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-02-17
  • Date Complaint: 2023-02-17
  • VIN: WBY33AW01NF
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2022 BMW I4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V944000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for the recall repair appointment; however, the contact was informed that the recall remedy would not be completed due to failures with the navigation and stereo systems. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not yet made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Bmw I4 2022
  • Date Of Incident: 2022-09-02
  • Date Complaint: 2022-11-04
  • VIN: WBY73AW09NF
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: Sept 2, 2022: I was driving my BMW i4 eDrive40 2022 model going to work when suddenly I heard the rear tire blown off and the Notification on my screen indicating tire pressure on my Rear Right Tire is going down fast. I was able to pull over safely to the curbside and called for roadside assistance . The vehicle was towed to Pacific BMW Glendale CA for tire replacement. They said that the damage to the tire is so immense that it is beyond repair. I’m glad that I have bought a wheel and Tire Insurance from BMW and only has to do a co-pay of $50. But it took 10 days for me to pick up my car from the dealership by just trying to replace one (1) Rear Right tire.
Bmw I4 2022
  • Date Of Incident: 2022-10-19
  • Date Complaint: 2022-11-04
  • VIN: WBY73AW09NF
  • Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION
  • Summary: Oct 19, 2022, I was driving my 2022 BMW i4 eDrive40 when it flashed notification that Driver Assistance permanently Restricted and it affected the Adaptive Cruise Control and the Lane Departure warning. There were a total of 3 occurrence that these Notifications were flashed on the cars Touch screen. Then on Oct 24, 2022, I dropped off this vehicle at the BMW of Monrovia where they observed and diagnosed the car. On Oct 27, 2022, I was informed that they have to replace 2 (Parking Distance Control) PDC SENSORS for assistance warning light. I also complained to the BMW service that Information screen had gone blank for several times only showing the BMW initials on a black screen. It wa s diagnosed that there were only 2 occurrence and that system was working fine. I picked up my car from service that same day of Oct, 27, 2022. However, after 2 days of using my vehicle, it flashed again the same notification that DRIVER ASSISTANCE is permanently restricted. Moreso, Nov. 1 had a new notification that there is a PARKING ASSISTANCE MALFUNCTION and there were 2 check control messages. I will bring the car back again for service come Nov. 18 for a service appointment.
Bmw I4 2022
  • Date Of Incident: 2022-09-13
  • Date Complaint: 2022-09-30
  • VIN: WBY73AW05NF
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: I was driving at approximately 60 MPH on the Freeway when I heard a loud bang, the car started to vibrate and shortly after that I realized I had a problem with a tire. The display indicated a tire with low pressure. I pulled over and saw the damage to the tire on the Driver left hand side. I brought the car to the dealer service department. I paid to have a new tire installed and I kept the damaged one. No one else has looked at the tire yet. Tire size 225/50 R18 99W XL failed. There are seven (7) holes on the side wall and one (1) hole on the tread. The tire is available for inspection.

Latest 5 recalls Bmw I4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 13 recalls for different components of the Bmw I4.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

  • Model: Bmw I4 2024
  • Report Received Date: 2024-08-15
  • Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
  • Components: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
  • Summary: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 i4 eDrive40, xDrive40, and M50 vehicles. The left-side longitudinal beam may crack, compromising the structural integrity of the chassis.
  • Consequence: Reduced structural integrity may result in damage to the high voltage battery during a crash, increasing the risk of fire.
  • Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left-side longitudinal beam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 7, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
  • Model: Bmw I4 2024
  • Report Received Date: 2024-02-23
  • Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
  • Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 i4 xDrive40, i4 M50 and i5 eDrive40 vehicles. The high-voltage battery module may contain insufficient weld seams, which can result in the battery overheating.
  • Consequence: An overheated battery module increases the risk of a fire.
  • Remedy: Dealers will replace the high-voltage battery module, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
  • Model: Bmw I4 2023
  • Report Received Date: 2023-06-28
  • Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:HYBRID MANAGEMENT
  • Summary: BMW 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.
  • Consequence: An improperly connected or assembled CCU can interrupt electrical power while driving and result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: Dealers will replace the high voltage battery combined charging unit (CCU), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 23, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
  • Model: Bmw I4 2022
  • Report Received Date: 2023-06-28
  • Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:HYBRID MANAGEMENT
  • Summary: BMW 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.
  • Consequence: An improperly connected or assembled CCU can interrupt electrical power while driving and result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: Dealers will replace the high voltage battery combined charging unit (CCU), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 23, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
  • Model: Bmw I4 2023
  • Report Received Date: 2023-04-26
  • Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
  • Summary: BMW 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.
  • Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: Dealers will replace the high voltage battery cell monitoring circuit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Latest negative Bmw I4 car reviews

  1. Daron Quigley 2024-05-02

    Vehicle year: 2023

    Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to let you know that the charging speed may be a bit slow and the range may not be as great as you were hoping for. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help!

  2. Zane Spinka 2024-04-03

    Vehicle year: 2024

    Hey there! Just wanted to let you know that I had a little accident earlier. I touched a curb while driving at a very low speed and my car got totaled. Don't worry though, I'm okay! Just a little shaken up. Just wanted to remind you to be careful on the road. Take care!

  3. Johan Waters 2024-03-05

    Vehicle year: 2024

    Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to let you know that the charging speed may be a bit slow and the range may not be as great as you were hoping for. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help!

  4. Jordon O'Connell 2024-02-12

    Vehicle year: 2024

    Congratulations on your new i4 eDrive 40 with 19-inch wheels! From your description, it sounds like you're enjoying a very comfortable ride with awesome heat and AC. The finish is incredible, as one would expect from BMW. It's great to hear that the balance of buttons and touch screen is perfect, especially compared to other models that have 'too much iPad.' The range of 250-280 miles at 100% battery is impressive, and it's good to know that the wireless Apple CarPlay is available, even though it has been breaking down and disconnecting. It's unfortunate that the advanced driving features like lane centering and lane assist lag behind your wife's 5-year-old Audi, but perhaps an upgraded package could help. It's understandable that you're disappointed with the BMW Navigation, but it's great that you've found a solution by using Google Maps as your default. Although the iDrive is easy to use, it's frustrating that the screen keeps going off every few minutes. It's good to know that BMW is aware of the issue and is working on a patch to fix it. Lastly, it's great that you have a free charging plan with Electrify America, even though the stations have not delivered more than 90-100 kW. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!

Latest positive Bmw I4 car reviews

  1. Hans King 2024-11-02

    Vehicle year: 2023

    Very glad to hear that you're enjoying your new car! It sounds like you're having a great time getting to know all of its features and capabilities. Keep on driving and discovering new things about it!

  2. Erling Cummerata 2024-10-11

    Vehicle year: 2024

    When you start to consciously enjoy the car, you'll quickly realize that power isn't the main priority. The suspension system captures your attention first, in sync with the reliable steering controls. The seat provides a sense of security around you. Finally, you'll find safety in the brakes. The precise execution of the internal components, along with the sleek exterior lines, come together to enhance the pleasure of both driving the i4 M50... and owning one.

  3. Wyman Keeling 2024-10-07

    Vehicle year: 2023

    A fantastic EV. Luxurious. Impeccable handling. Crazy fast. This vehicle has everything you want in an ultimate driving machine.

  4. Kayleigh Graham 2024-09-12

    Vehicle year: 2023

    I love my M440i! The I4 made it faster, but I've noticed that the battery/mileage efficiency can be inconsistent.

  5. Kristofer Parisian 2024-09-04

    Vehicle year: 2023

    I had a Tesla. They are great technology. BMW is also good at technology but makes a fantastic car.

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