32 of the 186 complaints filed about the BMW IX are about the electrical system — 17% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2024.
32
Complaints
17%
Share of all complaints
3
Crashes
2
Fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
There is a defect in the charging system of the BMW, where upon charging the cable fried BMW refuses to replace the charging cable
NHTSA complaint #11737969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: [XXX] Problem Area: Electrical System / Charging System The DC fast charging (CCS) system on this 2023 BMW iX xDrive50 failed completely on [XXX] while traveling on a highway in Richmond, Virginia. The vehicle was unable to charge at an Electrify America station despite other vehicles — including an identical 2023 BMW iX xDrive50 — charging successfully at the same station. A second nearby ChargePoint station was also attempted without success. Hard restarts and software updates did not resolve the issue. The vehicle had to be driven home on remaining range with no ability to fast charge, creating a safety risk of range loss on a highway. The vehicle was subsequently dropped off at BMW of Rockville (MD) on February 24, 2026 for warranty repair. As of April 10, 2026 — 45+ days later — BMW has been unable to diagnose or repair the defect. The vehicle remains at the dealership. This defect renders the vehicle unable to fast charge, substantially limiting its safe range on any trip beyond local driving. BMW of North America has been formally notified. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11731218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Continually get a power loss error while driving and accelerating. Took to BMW dealership and not able to clear error after having the car for a over month.
NHTSA complaint #11706883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am reporting an incident involving unintended vehicle movement/acceleration in my 2023 BMW iX xDrive50. BMW of North America inspected the vehicle and claims no defect was found; however, they refuse to provide the Event Data Recorder (EDR) data or diagnostic logs used to reach that conclusion. The incident occurred around September 1, 2025. The vehicle exhibited behavior inconsistent with normal operation. BMW’s response relies on undisclosed internal data and post-incident testing that does not recreate the event conditions. I am requesting NHTSA review this matter, including BMW’s refusal to disclose vehicle data relevant to potential safety defects involving throttle, braking, Auto-Hold, or software-controlled torque systems.
NHTSA complaint #11706089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While operating the vehicle, the steering system suddenly developed a fault with no prior warning. A "Changed Steering Effort" warning appeared on the dashboard, immediately followed by significant resistance in the steering wheel and violent mechanical shuddering/oscillation. This resulted in a sudden, dangerous difficulty in maneuvering the vehicle. Despite the 2024 BMW iX and related models (5/7 Series) having known internal steering gear manufacturing defects (referencing SIB 32 01 24 and Recall 24V-714), the dealership is attempting to deny warranty coverage. They are attributing the failure to a tear in the rack boot, despite no evidence of impact to the surrounding undercarriage. The sudden electronic onset of the failure suggests an internal safety defect consistent with widespread reports on this model year, rather than environmental damage. There is significant online anecdotal evidence of this same issue occurring with 2023 and 2024 iX models, despite the above SIB only covering certain 2021 and 2022 models.
NHTSA complaint #11704664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle has displayed drivetrain and high-voltage-battery fault warnings on three separate occasions — December 2024, July 2025 (after replacement of a high-voltage-battery cell), and September 2025. Despite multiple service visits and nearly 90 days out of service, the same safety-related warnings have recurred. BMW NA and the servicing dealer (Chapman BMW Chandler, AZ) ultimately returned the vehicle to me in October 2025 without further repair, stating only a “courtesy recheck” was performed. I remain concerned that the vehicle’s high-voltage-battery system may have an unresolved defect that could affect safety or reliability. Please investigate whether similar cases exist for 2024 BMW iX vehicles exhibiting repeated drivetrain/HV-battery warnings.
NHTSA complaint #11692146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On November 16, 2023, I was driving the vehicle in the far left lane of the freeway when, without any warning, the vehicle lost propulsion and would not accelerate. It also lost power assisted steering AND power assisted braking. I had to decelerate with no power brakes while attempting to safely cross 3-4 lanes to the nearest freeway exit with no power steering, while maintaining enough momentum to not get stuck in the middle of the freeway. After it lost propulsion, the several warnings flashed on the screen noting that the vehicle stabilization system was disabled, "vehicle may roll", the tire pressure monitoring was disabled, and the restraint system monitoring was disabled. I managed to steer the vehicle safely to the bottom off the offramp but had to bring the vehicle to a full stop. As a result, I was stuck blocking traffic at the bottom of the offramp. I attached a few photos showing what was happening but have additional video documenting the loss of power steering and power brakes but they are too large to attach here. The screen stated the roadside assistance feature was unavailable so I used the emergency button on the interior roof, which connected me to BMW's call center. The representative requested that the fire department assist with moving my vehicle out of traffic. We had to towed to the dealership (see attached invoice). We were told it only needed a software update which was then done. We still kept getting the same high voltage warnings, leading to 3-4 additional repair invoices. Finally BMW offered another software update in May 2025. We still receive high voltage warnings, drivetrain warnings, and chassis warnings and are afraid it will shut down again on the freeway. Software updates seem to be a bandaid.The loss of power braking and steering while doing 70 mph was a terrifying experience that could easily lead to serious injury and death.
NHTSA complaint #11676769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BMW has issued an update to their software. There is a setting on the car where you press auto H and if you press the break, it will stop as if it’s parked now. This software update has a bug and nkw this feature turns off even though you have it set, so you think you’re parking and you press the brake and lift your foot which should put it into park and the car keeps moving and you hit other cars or people or anything. It is extremely dangerous.
NHTSA complaint #11670674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Drivetrain malfunction , vehicle would not accelerate properly
NHTSA complaint #11662503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving on Single Pedal Drive on a freeway with the 2024 BMW IX, there was a slow down ahead of me. I removed my foot from the pedal and waited for car to slow down, but car didn't slow down enough. Then I slammed the brakes hard, but the brake didn't engage. In fact, brakes were pushed back against my foot. I was slamming the brakes as hard as I could, but i couldn't feel the brakes letting me me bottom out . This was a very traumatic experience. I have been able to reproduce it once again, but not always. But BMW dealership doesn't want to accept any problem. Thankfully, I had slowed down, otherwise, this is a very dangerous problem. Please investigate this. This has caused a big cost burden for me and also quite a traumatic experience.
NHTSA complaint #11652449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On [XXX], while driving, the brakes on my vehicle unexpectedly seized, causing all four wheels to catch fire. This incident resulted in significant damage, including the burning of the brake lines. The vehicle was promptly towed to Wide World BMW in Spring Valley, NY, for repairs, as it is covered under the bumper-to-bumper warranty. Following the incident, I was informed that a team from BMW North America would inspect the vehicle due to the severity of the malfunction. I have since been advised that BMW North America is denying liability, claiming that third-party work may have been performed on the brake system. However, both Wide World BMW and I categorically refute this assertion. All maintenance on my vehicle has been exclusively performed by authorized BMW service centers, and there is no evidence to suggest that any third-party work was done. The damage being attributed to third-party work is, in reality, a direct result of the fire caused by the brake system malfunction. Wide World BMW has reviewed the case and agrees that BMW North America should assume responsibility for addressing this issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11640669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving my vehicle, the vehicle completely shut down and stopped. The seatbelt pulled me back tightly. A notification displayed on my dash Continue driving possible: High-Voltage system. Cont, driving possible: Drivetrain. You can continue driving. Have the problem checked by your service center. I did have to push the start control button to get the car started. The car behind was able to stop in time to avoid a rear end accident. This incident put myself and others at risk. Because the stretch of road i was driving thru was at a low speed, an accident was avoided. Thank God I wasn’t on a freeway. I was able to take the vehicle to a BMW service center. They did keep the vehicle for about a week. Waiting on a part. From our discussion with a service tech and invoice they replaced a Relay and said electric fan failed. There was no warnings prior to the incident. Received notification on my dashboard when the incident happened.
NHTSA complaint #11619657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Drove the car and parked it. Went into the store and got back into the car. Turned the car on and it had an emergency light saying a drive train malfunction had occurred and that the car could not drive and had to be towed to the dealer for repair. Turned on and off the car. It still had the malfunction. Had the car towed to the BMW dealer. They tested it and came up with 7 codes of malfunction: charging unit, supply voltage, acceleration, drive function, ethernet and transmitter unit, battery below storability, electric a/c compressor. They reset the car and the codes went off. BMW North America then told the Santa Monica BMW dealer to test drive the car to see if they could replicate the error. They could not. Without inquiring why the car had stopped functioning, and without repairing anything, they returned the car. They said that this could happen again while I was driving and at any time but BMW did not want to figure out what was wrong until the next catastrophic failure occurred. There are numerous stories of drivetrain malfunctions on reddit. This is an electric car, it is terrifying that the whole thing could turn off at any time. In addition, the dealer says that they don't even know what the codes mean and that they have to ask BMW north America to tell them what to do once they send in the codes! Shouldn't a dealer be able to see what the failures are and have some authority to troubleshoot? It seems like BMW is withholding information from the public and the dealer by working in this manner with electric cars. In addition, why would anyone feel safe driving an electric car under these circumstances?
NHTSA complaint #11616415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving in heavy traffic and the car turned off. The dash went black the parking brake set the seats and the mirrors adjusted the steering wheel moved up as if I was getting out of the car . I tried to continue driving when realized the car was not on. I pressed start button car came on in drive ready mode Display rest to factory setting erased all my personal settings display on drivers side charged to a default setting seat and mirrors adjusted steering wheel trained in up position. I began driving display rest set to my personal saved settings called BMW they wanted to tow to the dealer I was 2 miles from dealer drive car there pulled into bay and entire display went black . I had a problem with the car on 6/30/24 where the display crashed dealer kept car for a couple of days retuned car to me and ca would not turn on. Towed to dealer and filed a case with BMW of NA . At that time they offered no explanation except that car wasn’t currently experiencing any issues . I questioned whether or not the car could malfunction while driving with no clear answer . I requested a new vehicle but was denied since I had possession of the car when I was told by dealer that I could pick it up. This vehicle is a lease with a 1295.00 payment it has 11000 miles on it
NHTSA complaint #11605555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I put my car to charge at a manufacturer recommended charging station. I went for a short walk and when I came back, the fire department had arrived. They informed me that the car had caught fire and that it was put out by a good Samaritan using an extinguisher. The car was not drivable and there was visible fire damage
NHTSA complaint #11601289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I started my vehicle with my foot on the brake. I put the car in reverse, with my foot on the brake. The car went backwards and hit a parked car. It was 1 car length behind me. I didn't take my foot off the brake and I pushed it harder. The car kept going backwards and I couldn't stop it. I didn't press on the gas pedal. BMW lied and said my after market fitted floor mat was the cause. My floor mat can't lay on the pedal, if I tried toplace it there. BMW had my vehicle for 3 months and I haven't driven it since 12/26/24. My car was purchased in 05/23 and I've had 4 issues. My car shut down on me on 11/23/23. I took it to BMW and they had it for a week. They said it was some type of switch they replaced. I ask them to buy it back from me and they have been giving me the run around.
NHTSA complaint #11581049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2024 BMW IX. The contact stated that there was a software and connectivity failure. The contact stated that the Bluetooth Car Play system, GPS navigation, and electrical systems failed to remain connected. Additionally, occasionally the systems failed to connect. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 200.
NHTSA complaint #11580671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
COMMUNICATION: VEHICLE TO VEHICLE
The contact owns a 2024 BMW IX. The contact stated that there was a software and connectivity failure. The contact stated that the Bluetooth Car Play system, GPS navigation, and electrical systems failed to remain connected. Additionally, occasionally the systems failed to connect. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 200.
NHTSA complaint #11580671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Power loss, dash went black and loss of drive power. This failure has occurred twice and I more fully documented each failure to BMW. When was the last time this occurred? August 28th 2. GPS error, vehicle speed limit showed 25 under all conditions while actual speed showed correctly. When was the last time this occurred? Early August 3. Side collision system failures. Either fails entirely and indicates no vehicles on either side or will randomly indicate the presence of vehicles when they are not there. Other times it will function correctly. This has happened multiple times now. When was the last time this occurred? October 7th 4. Driver assistance errors pop as a multiple page error on the infotainment for no apparent reason a. On 217 an error message was displayed on the screen and heads up display saying Driver Assistance Limited. The message was longer but that’s all I could read driving in traffic. Conditions could not be more ideal and literally just left service with a freshly washed vehicle so not sure what the failure could be. I think this message is meant to occur if the cameras aren’t working or are obstructed by dirt, extreme weather etc. This message will display if the system has anything that prevents parameters from being met, this is something that will come up from time to time. 5. Assisted driving turned itself on and set a speed of 37 MPH When was the last time this occurred? August 5th 6. Automatic window stopped working despite the activation point still showing setup and active. Checked settings and tried it a few times and it just stopped working but settings look correct. It had previously been working. When was the last time this occurred? In the last week. 7. BMW assistant failures on about 3 of 4 commands. Only the mic button will activate the assistant as the voice activation stopped working. Making calls, navigation, turning off steering wheel heat, turning on massage seat all failed 1-3
NHTSA complaint #11558995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I brought a brand new BMW IX fully electric vehicle in May, 2023. A couple of weeks ago in early September, the “Emergency Call System Malfunction” warning light came on, and I can also smell a chemical burn from the vehicle. I dropped it off to Eastbay BMW in Pleasanton, California. 4350 Rosewood Drive, Pleasanton, California 94588. They confirmed that the “Control Module” may be over heating and causing the emergency call system to malfunction. Eastbay BMW contacted BMW HQ and was informed to just reset the warning light. “BMW advised Eastbay BMW that this is a recurring problem and the unit may overheat”. Eastbay BMW also confirmed that their technicians confirmed the warning codes showed the Control Module may be over heating. Instead of replacing this control module and finding a longer term fix, BMW HQ decided to decline replacement request and to simply reset the warning light until the next incident occurs. I have read on different BMW owners forums that this is an ongoing issue, occurring in many new vehicles as my BMW IX has less than 1,500 miles and we live in the Bay Area, California where it does not get too hot. Given that this relates to and impact the emergency call function, I want to file this formal complaint to ensure BMW address this issue properly and that the NHTSA launch a full investigation. Thank you
NHTSA complaint #11547159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.