BMW i4 Power Loss Crisis: EV Shutdowns While Driving

Hey there! I faced similar issues with my 2020 BMW iX3 last month. The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I experienced, sudden power loss, system warnings, and reduced performance. Turned out it was a faulty battery management module that was incorrectly reading the battery charge levels and cutting power to protect the system. Had to get it towed to a certified BMW service center since this was beyond regular maintenance. The technician ran a full diagnostic and found that several cells in the high-voltage battery pack were heavily discharged below the safe threshold. They had to recalibrate the entire battery management system and balance the cell charges. This was definitely a serious issue that required specialized attention. If you're getting similar symptoms, I'd strongly recommend going straight to a certified BMW dealer. These high-voltage systems are complex and need proper diagnostic equipment to fix. It took them about three days to sort everything out on my car, but it's been running perfectly since then. Hope this helps with your decision.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! It really helped since I had almost identical issues with my i4. I ended up following your advice and took it to a certified dealer. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much the repair cost you? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other electrical quirks?

Hey again! Happy to hear my advice helped! Yeah, after I got it fixed at the dealer, it cost me 290 € to fix the heavily discharged battery issue. They did a complete recalibration of the battery management system, and I'm glad to report the high-voltage system error message hasn't popped up since. The car's been running like a dream for the past few weeks, no more sudden power losses or any other electrical gremlins. Actually feels smoother than before, if I'm honest! The acceleration is back to normal, and I'm getting consistent performance again. It was definitely worth spending the money at the certified dealer rather than risking it with a regular mechanic. These electric systems are pretty sophisticated, and you really want someone who knows what they're doing to handle them. Let me know if you notice any improvements with yours after the repair. Always interested to hear how other BMW EV owners are getting on!

Thanks for the follow-up! Just got my car back from the dealer yesterday. You were absolutely right about going to a certified place, they found the same issue with the battery management system. The repair cost was a bit higher for me, around 350 €, but honestly worth every penny. The whole experience wasn't as bad as I'd feared. The mechanic walked me through everything they did, showed me the diagnostic readings, and explained how they fixed it. They even gave me some tips on optimal charging habits to prevent future issues. The car's running like new now, no more scary shutdowns or warning lights. The power delivery is smooth again, and I'm back to enjoying my drives without constantly worrying about breaking down. Definitely learned my lesson about trying to save money by going to uncertified mechanics for these high-tech issues. Really appreciate your help in pointing me in the right direction. It saved me a lot of headache and potentially more expensive repairs down the line!