BMW i3 Brake Light Warning Haunts Worried Owner

I faced a similar issue with my 2019 BMW i8 Hybrid last year. The brake light warning was driving me crazy too. After taking it to the garage, it turned out to be more than just a brake light switch. The sensor wiring had deteriorated and was causing intermittent signals, plus there was a small fault in the brake light control module. The mechanic showed me how the hybrid system's regenerative braking feature had complicated what would normally be a simple fix. It was pretty serious since it affected both the conventional and regenerative braking systems' communication. The repair involved replacing the wiring harness and reprogramming the control module. My advice would be to get it checked soon, brake issues aren't something to wait on, especially with these hybrid systems being more complex than conventional ones.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful and sounds quite similar to what I'm experiencing. Really glad I asked here before assuming it was just the switch. Quick follow-up, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other electrical quirks?

Just wanted to follow up about my previous reply. I actually need to correct myself because I got my i8 checked out right after our chat, and it turned out to be way simpler than what I initially thought! Turns out it was just a bad brake light switch, but here's the funny part, it wasn't even broken. The mechanic found that the switch just needed a proper cleaning and realignment. Apparently, some debris had gotten in there and was messing with the connection. No wiring issues, no module problems, nothing complex at all. Best part? Didn't cost me a cent since it was basically just a mechanical error that needed a quick fix. The mechanic just cleaned it up, and everything's been working perfectly since then, no more warning lights or any other electrical weirdness. I feel a bit silly now for making it sound so complicated in my first message! Sometimes the simplest explanation really is the right one. Hope this helps put your mind at ease a bit!

What a relief to hear that! After your message, I actually took my i3 to a new mechanic yesterday. You won't believe it, but I had almost the exact same situation! The mechanic found some dirt and grime around the brake light switch that was messing with the connection. He cleaned it up, made some minor adjustments, and boom, problem solved! The whole thing took less than an hour, and he only charged me for the inspection. Sure beats the thousands I was worried about spending! The warning light hasn't come back since, and the brakes are working perfectly now. Really appreciate you coming back to share the update. Saved me from potentially overcomplicating things and spending way more than necessary. Guess sometimes we just need to start with the basics!