BMW XM Parking Brake Failure Sparks Safety Concerns

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2020 BMW M8 Competition last winter. The electronic parking brake completely failed along with the hill assist, just like yours. At the garage, they diagnosed it as a defective electric motor in the brake caliper. The motor wasn't engaging properly, which also triggered several other system warnings since these features are interconnected. Initially thought it was just a software glitch, but it turned out to be a hardware problem. It was definitely a serious issue that needed immediate attention, you can't really drive safely without a working parking brake. The repair involved replacing the entire brake actuator unit. The job took about two days because they had to order the part. I'd strongly suggest getting it checked at a BMW specialist who can properly diagnose the electronic systems. These electronic brake issues usually aren't something that can be fixed with basic troubleshooting. Best of luck with the repair.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful, as I'm facing pretty much the same symptoms with my XM. Good to know it was the brake actuator unit in your case, definitely sounds like it could be the same issue. Do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been working fine since they fixed it, or have you had any other brake-related issues pop up?

Hey again! Glad I could help! Actually, I can give you some good news, after getting it fixed, everything has been working perfectly with my M8. Haven't had a single issue with the electronic parking brake or any other brake-related problems since the repair. The total bill came to 505 € for fixing the faulty electric motor in the brake caliper. Initially thought it might cost more, but that was the final damage. The mechanic did a great job, and honestly, it was worth every penny to have it working properly again. It's been about 8 months now since the repair, and all the systems are working like new, parking brake engages smoothly, hill assist works perfectly, and all those annoying warning lights are gone. Really happy I got it sorted at a proper specialist rather than trying to save money at a regular garage. If your symptoms are as similar as they sound, you're probably looking at a comparable repair cost. Just make sure you get it done soon, it's not worth taking risks with brake systems! Let me know how it goes with yours!

Thanks so much for all the details! Just got back from the mechanic today and thought I'd update you. You were spot on, it was indeed the brake actuator unit causing all the trouble. Funny enough, my repair bill was pretty close to what you paid, around 520 €. The mechanic I found was actually great, really took the time to explain everything and showed me the faulty part. Such a relief after my last mechanic experience! Theyaged to fix it in about a day and a half, and I've been testing it out since. All the warning lights are gone, parking brake's working smoothly, and the hill assist is back to normal. Car feels much safer now. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped me know what to expect and gave me confidence to get it sorted quickly. Definitely made the right call getting it fixed at a specialist shop! Thanks again for the help!