2023 Bmw I4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
16,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 45 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 24.4% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 17.8% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 13.3% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 11.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
Electrical System: 18; Unknown Or Other: 12; Power Train: 10; Service Brakes: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Engine: 5; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 4; Steering: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 41 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 8 |
2023: 18; 2024: 8; 2025: 11; 2026: 8
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11528540 · 2023-06-23 (June 23, 2023)
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,…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11528540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11566379 · 2024-01-18 (January 18, 2024)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11566379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11524818 · 2023-06-01 (June 1, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11524818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11534481 · 2023-07-25 (July 25, 2023)
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 i…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11534481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11545371 · 2023-09-19 (September 19, 2023)
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 mile…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11545371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11557688 · 2023-11-30 (November 30, 2023)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11557688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11589917 · 2024-05-21 (May 21, 2024)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11589917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11656983 · 2025-04-26 (April 26, 2025)
Electrical system stalling stopping the car it won’t move breaking system
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11656983 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11521423 · 2023-05-10 (May 10, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11521423 at NHTSA ↗