AI DamageBMW I5: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the BMW I5 across 2 model years: 29 owner complaints and 65 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 38% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 31% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 21% of all complaints
- 4 Electronic stability control 17% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 7% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 11 complaints (38% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (31% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 27.
- Forward collision avoidance: 6 complaints (21% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electronic stability control: 5 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- electric 2024–2027
- automatic, 1-speed 2024–2027
Drive: RWD, AWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 29 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 11 | 3 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 27 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
No warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained an injury to his shoulder, and medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. There was no fire or airbag deployment. The contact called 911. The police department went to the scene. The contact made a video of the incident.
The contact's insurer owned a 2024 BMW I5. The contact stated that the insurer received notice of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic).
During a red light stop, car took off with a massive acceleration after release of breaks and hit the car standing in front of it, causing a significant damage to the front of the car. None of the accident prevention systems, emergency breaks were triggered or activated.
My wife on the passenger side also felt the car shaking before the collision. Looking back after the collision, there was actually no car hitting mine. I believe the braking system failed.
The potential malfunction could lead to overheating or worse, an electrical fire when plugged in to charge. There is no visible damage to the pins to suggest they are bent our damaged beyond the arcing and the charge cable did present warning lights suggesting it was overheating. The dealer has inspected the car.
-The automatic emergency braking system and the forward collision warning system did not work. -The car is at the dealership where an SPI is being conducted. -While there was no serious injury, had a pedestrian been in front of me they would have been killed. -The manufacturer was notified the day of the accident.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- A faulty electric auxiliary heater may have been installed in the certain vehicles
- After replacement of the Integrated Braking system (IB)/Power Brake the total distance covered might…
- “Cracking” noise might be heard when turning the steering wheel from lock to lock
- Charging sessions cannot be started or they are interrupted while using a Level 2 AC high-power…
- The vehicle will no longer move when put into gear
- Charging sessions cannot be started or they are interrupted while using a Level 2 AC high-power charging…
- The customer states there is a Drivetrain Malfunction message displayed in the instrument cluster
- There is coolant leaking from under the car Low heater output Possible Check Control message “Drive, you…
- High Voltage Connection Return
- Through quality checks, it has been detected that the front left water drain hose for the slide/tilt…
- A faulty electric auxiliary heater may have been installed in the certain vehicles
- DELIVERY STOP
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.