[anishpraji]

Hello,

I was fortunate enough to be among the first individuals to receive the i4 back in September. Over the last 10 months, I've savored my driving experiences, having covered approximately 10,000 kilometers. The car has been remarkably trouble-free during this period. However, a noteworthy incident occurred last night as I was returning home from a 150 km journey.

During our return from a 150 km trip, towards the end of the journey, a couple of alerts appeared:

High Voltage System Issue - It was indicated that I could continue driving, but with a suggestion to do so moderately.

Drive Train Issue - Similar to the previous alert, it allowed me to continue driving while advising moderation.

In an attempt to address the problem, I tried restarting the car a couple of times, but unfortunately, the issue persisted. Given the late hour, we decided to drive the car home and planned to take it to the service center the following day. However, during this journey home, a more serious alert appeared indicating a PowerTrain Failure, and shortly after, the car came to a halt.

Despite my efforts to restart the car, the same problem persisted, leaving us stranded. In this situation, we contacted roadside assistance and they responded promptly by sending a flatbed truck to pick up the car within 20 minutes. The car was towed to the service center for further inspection and repairs.

At present, the service center is diligently investigating the issue, and I am eagerly awaiting an update once more information becomes available.

On a related note,

I've been an active reader of various i4 global forums, and I came across information indicating that this issue has been a global concern, leading to recalls in both January and May of this year. Allegedly, the root cause was attributed to a software update, which was intended to be delivered over-the-air (OTA). Interestingly, in India, BMW India opted not to activate the myBMW app for my particular car, because of its delivery in September. It's worth noting that the app had been activated in cars delivered from November onwards. Notably, there was a brief period when the connected car functions were enabled in my car as well, but they were abruptly deactivated shortly after (eliminating the possibility of a hardware not equipped).

If so the BMW had activated the connected car functions, we would have got the OTA updates and wouldn't have left us stranded late in the night.

Any contacts appreciated to help me reach this issue to top management in BMW so at least now after all this issue they can activate the connected car features.

Looking forward to resolving these matters and sharing the outcomes.

[zandot]

Originally Posted by anishpraji

Hello,

I was fortunate enough to be among the first individuals to receive the i4 back in September. Over the last 10 months, I've savored my driving experiences, having covered approximately 10,000 kilometers. The car has been remarkably trouble-free during this period. However, a noteworthy incident occurred last night as I was returning home from a 150 km journey.

Sorry can't help with any BMW contacts sadly and for what you're having to go through! Did some research on this matter and it seems that this can be the software update or could be something more serious such as the battery pack coolant filter / debris in the motor housing etc., hopefully it's just a software glitch and is resolved quickly.

Do keep us updated! Been contemplating an i4 recently and wasn't aware of this fault that seems to be cropping up for both the i4 and iX.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by anishpraji

If so the BMW had activated the connected car functions, we would have got the OTA updates and wouldn't have left us stranded late in the night.

That's strange as BMW India increased the prices on most cars to cover the costs for connected drive features as there is some hardware difference, per the dealers I spoke to previously.

Any contacts appreciated to help me reach this issue to top management in BMW so at least now after all this issue they can activate the connected car features

Drop an Email to - contact.india@bmw.in

[anishpraji]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

That's strange as BMW India increased the prices on most cars to cover the costs for connected drive features as there is some hardware difference, per the dealers I spoke to previously.

Oh, but the connected car features on my car were working for sometime, the RTTI, Weather, OTA's etc. But suddenly everything stoped again. So the doubt about the hardware not present in the car is ruled out.

Also on another note, BMW releases software updates for the i4 very frequently, there has been almost 6 updates in the last 10 months. For the i4 the service interval is only once in two years, but for the software upgrade alone I have to take the car to the service centre almost every alternate month - which is quite a hassle.

[carthick1000]

Originally Posted by anishpraji

Oh, but the connected car features on my car were working for sometime, the RTTI, Weather, OTA's etc. But suddenly everything stoped again.
Also on another note, BMW releases software updates for the i4 very frequently, there has been almost 6 updates in the last 10 months. .

Anish, Glad you guys were able to pull over safely and no harm/rearward crash due to sudden power failure.

What was the last software release version you received from BMW before this issue? Because in Jan 2023, there was a recall which might be the reason your car got affected.

Link

And did you receive it as an OTA update or had to go to the service center to get it done?

Rants

The whole point of OTA updates is the convenience of not going to the service center, but BMW like some other German manufacturers are still struggling with connected cars and services. So for now, there is no light at the end of tunnel as BMW is completely getting new HW and SW systems for its Neue klasse (2025) and the older models eventually will get less to no support, if we have to go by BMWs past lack of acknowledging it’s engineering shortcomings.

BTW, 6 updates within 10 months is relatively low when you ask me as Tesla and some Chinese brands provide an OTA update, every 3 or 4 weeks. And as a Tesla user, I have never been to a service center to get or complete an OTA update. So, it is BMW’s duty to provide you with OTA updates as promised and not ask you to go to a service center.

[Aditya]

"Drivetrain Failure" error in my BMW i4 - Posts moved to a new thread.

[BANDHAV]

Sorry to hear about the ordeal OP has to go through.

Though I am aware about the existence of these EV cars, connected tech and how these are slowly becoming mainstream but still how a Car just stopped working in the middle of the road due to lack of a software upgrade still kind of seems unreal.

[anishpraji]

Originally Posted by carthick1000

Anish, Glad you guys were able to pull over safely and no harm/rearward crash due to sudden power failure.

Yeah, thank god. Imagine if the same would have happened on the highway when were were travelling at 120 kmph and the car suddenly brakes and stop. What would be our state?

Originally Posted by carthick1000

What was the last software release version you received from BMW before this issue? Because in Jan 2023, there was a recall which might be the reason your car got affected. And did you receive it as an OTA update or had to go to the service center to get it done?

The last update I got when the car was in the dealership to change the faulty horn which was replaced in warranty. It was in April.

OTA's update are disable by BMW for some reason.

[anishpraji]

Originally Posted by zandot

Sorry can't help with any BMW contacts sadly and for what you're having to go through! Did some research on this matter and it seems that this can be the software update or could be something more serious such as the battery pack coolant filter / debris in the motor housing etc., hopefully it's just a software glitch and is resolved quickly.

Do keep us updated! Been contemplating an i4 recently and wasn't aware of this fault that seems to be cropping up for both the i4 and iX.

Just an update, even after a week, the service centre has not zeroed in the fault yet. They suspect it might be the issue drive train.

While reading a lot of forum about the i4 we found that there's more than one manufacturing defects in the car which they have recalled for such as Metal Particles in the drive unit, software issue, faulty combined charging unit in the car which has to be replaced etc.

The most terrifying part in the car abruptly braked in the middle of the road, which shouldn't happen in any case. If that happens again what's the safety for the occupants in the car.

[zandot]

Originally Posted by anishpraji

Just an update, even after a week, the service centre has not zeroed in the fault yet. They suspect it might be the issue drive train.

Just wondering, hope the issue has been resolved for you? Was it the drive train? Or are you one of the unlucky ones that needs to wait for the parts to come in from Germany like the threads online indicate?

[pedrolourenco]

Sorry other about your ordeal. I had made up my mind to replace my X1 with this car. Heard about these issues on international FB groups. I don't think I'm going to be in a big hurry to upgrade until they fix these issues.

When I bought the X1 there used to be an app. I could get some information on the car, fuel levels etc. Suddenly it stopped working. The dealer said they are updating the app. It's been 5 years and I haven't seen the update.