BMW i5 Power Seats Dead, Controls & Memory Not Working

Hey there! I've got some experience with EVs and had a really similar issue with my 2022 BMW i4 (also have an iX in the family). Had the exact same symptoms, totally dead power seats, no response at all. Took it to my regular workshop and turned out it was just a faulty wiring connection to the seat control module. The mechanic had to replace some damaged cables and resecure the connections. Cost me 95 Euro and fixed it completely. Before you head to the shop though, could you share: Which seat is affected (driver, passenger, or both)? Are you getting any specific error messages on the display? Have you recently had any work done on the seats? This info would help figure out if you're dealing with the same problem I had.

Thanks for the detailed response! Just had my latest service about 2 weeks ago, and I'm currently at 185467 KM. It's affecting both front seats actually, driver and passenger side completely dead. Getting error code 'B7F388' on the display. Haven't had any recent work done on the seats specifically, this just started happening suddenly yesterday morning. Hoping it's just a wiring issue like yours was. Really appreciate you sharing your experience with the i4!

Hey again! Oh that's exactly what happened with my i4 too, both seats going dead at once definitely sounds like the wiring issue I dealt with. Since you mentioned getting the B7F388 code, that's literally the same one I got before taking it in. The fact it happened suddenly also matches my experience. You know what's interesting, my issue also popped up shortly after a service visit (about 3 weeks after). The mechanic later told me that sometimes during routine maintenance, they need to move the seats around a lot, which can stress already weakened wiring connections. This might explain the timing of your problem too. The good news is that if it's the same issue I had, it's a pretty straightforward fix. My mechanic showed me the damaged wiring after he replaced it, it was clearly worn and had some spots where the insulation had rubbed through. Total repair time was less than two hours. Just make sure when you take it in, you mention both seats are affected, this will help them zero in on the central wiring issue rather than checking each seat individually like they initially did with mine. Hope this helps! Let me know how it goes.

Thanks so much for all the fantastic information! You've honestly made me feel a lot better about this whole situation. The similarity between our issues, same error code, both seats affected, and the timing after service, is pretty remarkable. I'll definitely mention all these details when I take it in tomorrow morning. I really appreciate you explaining about the service connection too, makes total sense why this might have popped up now. It's actually a relief knowing it's likely just a wiring issue and not something more complex with the seat motors or main electrical system. I'll take your advice and make sure to point out that both seats are affected right from the start. Hopefully, this will save some diagnostic time. Two hours for the repair doesn't sound too bad either, was worried I'd be without my car for days! Thanks again for sharing your experience. I'll update the group once I get it sorted out!