BMW i4 Lemon Law

The i4's most serious defect involves its electric drive motor software. BMW recalled 2022–2025 i4 vehicles under NHTSA campaign 25V395 because the drive-motor software could incorrectly detect an isolation fault and trigger a fail-safe that shuts down the high-voltage system for roughly 15 to 20 seconds — a sudden, unnerving loss of power. Separately, BMW recalled i4s under NHTSA campaign 23V449 for a Combined Charging Unit that may have been assembled incorrectly and needs to be physically replaced. Both remedies are free, one by software update and one by part replacement.

Charging and software are the i4's day-to-day pain points. Owners report a "Drivetrain Malfunction" warning that can cut drive power, DC fast-charging faults (especially at some public stations), and trouble with charge scheduling, station compatibility, and Plug and Charge. On the infotainment side, iDrive quirks are common — frozen cameras, grayed-out driver-assist options, climate or voice controls that ignore commands, and settings that revert after an update.

California's Lemon Law covers an i4 when a substantial defect isn't fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts, or when the car is out of service for an extended time for warranty work. A recall like 25V395 or 23V449 does not automatically make the car a lemon, and you do not need a recall at all — a drivetrain fault, a charging failure, or a software defect that keeps returning can each support a claim. If your i4 qualifies, you may recover a buyback, a replacement, or a cash settlement, with BMW paying your attorney fees.

A recall is not automatically a lemon — it's the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free repair. California's Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Act) comes into play when a substantial defect can't be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, or when your i4 has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days.

If your BMW i4 qualifies, you may be entitled to a buyback (a refund of what you've paid, minus a mileage offset), a replacement vehicle, or a cash-and-keep settlement — and BMW pays your attorney fees on a successful claim, so pursuing your case costs you nothing out of pocket.