VehicleVerdict

2023 BMW i4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 77 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median i4 year — the 2023 model ranks #1 of 3 i4 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (18), other (12), and transmission (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

77

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2023 compare to other i4 years?

i4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted77 complaints2022: 16 complaints2023: 77 complaints2024: 40 complaints
i4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all i4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 BMW i4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1823%
Other1216%
Transmission1114%
Driver Assistance79%
Brakes79%
Fuel System68%
Engine56%
Steering34%
Speed Control34%
Suspension23%
Body & Structure11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Airbags11%

Does the 2023 BMW i4 have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V395000Electrical SystemJuly 23, 2025 · 71,286 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The electric drive motor software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 5, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

25V470000Electrical SystemJuly 16, 2025 · 136 units

Defect

BMW 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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

Dealers will replace specific high-voltage battery cell modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed September 11, 2025. Another notice will be sent once the remedy becomes available, anticipated December 31, 2025Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

23V449000Electrical SystemJune 28, 2023 · 69 units

Defect

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.

23V295000Electrical SystemApril 26, 2023 · 31 units

Defect

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.

23V118000Electrical SystemFebruary 23, 2023 · 120 units

Defect

BMW 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.

Consequence

Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

23V026000Driver AssistanceJanuary 25, 2023 · 3,431 units

Defect

BMW 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."

Consequence

Without external warning sounds, pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will update the external artificial sound generator software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 9, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

22V944000Electrical SystemDecember 20, 2022 · 14,086 units

Defect

BMW 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.

Consequence

An interruption of electrical power may result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the high voltage battery ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 10, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 27, 2025 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 19, 2024 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 14, 2023

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · January 19, 2024 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 16, 2023 · crash

2023 BMW i4 — common questions

Is the 2023 BMW i4 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 77 complaints put the 2023 model at #1 of 3 i4 years. It is one of the i4 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2023 i4 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (18 complaints), other (12 complaints), transmission (11 complaints).

Does the 2023 BMW i4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 BMW i4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW i4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the i4 years to avoid are 2023. The cleanest record among i4 years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.