RoadVitals

2025 BMW I5 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Apr 25, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2025 BMW I5, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes325.0%
  • Driver assistance325.0%
  • Electrical325.0%
  • Powertrain (other)216.7%
  • Engine18.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2025 BMW I5. The contact stated that while driving at 6 MPH before dawn, the brakes became inoperable while making a left turn and a right U-turn around a van. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard, went up the curb, made a quick right turn to avoid a major crash, and eventually crashed into a hedge and a sign. The driver shifted to neutral, and the vehicle rolled to the second street. No warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained an injury to his shoulder, and medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. There was no fire or airbag deployment. The contact called 911. The police department went to the scene. The contact made a video of the incident. The brakes were previously replaced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. The manufacturer was contacted, and a regional investigator was assigned. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

NHTSA ID 11729663 · filed Apr 7, 2026

Loss power and system reset

NHTSA ID 11722386 · filed Mar 6, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Vehicle History & Initial Defect: I took delivery of a used 2025 BMW i5 in November 2025 (~1025 mi). Upon delivery, the vehicle immediately displayed a persistent "Acoustic Pedestrian Warning" failure. This was a direct violation of FMVSS No. 141 (Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and EV). Despite dealer assurances that a software update would resolve the issue, the failure persisted through multiple repair attempts in late 2025 and early 2026. Critical System Failures (Jan-Apr 2026): On January 18, 2026, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic drivetrain failure while in motion, displaying the messages: "Stop. Apply parking brake. Drivetrain malfunction. You cannot continue driving" and "Stop carefully now. Faults. Do not continue driving." The vehicle was rendered inoperable. Subsequently, the vehicle has been subject to five (5) total repair attempts for these and related electronic faults, including "Phantom Warnings" of the hood and trunk being open while traveling at highway speeds. Unintended Emergency Braking Event (April 4, 2026): Within 48 hours of a 31-day repair stay (where the manufacturer insisted the vehicle was safe), the Driver Assistance Professional Package (DAPP) failed. While driving on a high-speed highway, the system prompted me to place my hands on the steering wheel. I complied immediately, yet the vehicle failed to recognize human intervention. The car then initiated a sudden, unintended emergency braking maneuver in active traffic. There was a significant lag before the system relinquished control, nearly resulting an accident. Manufacturer Negligence: Despite these life-threatening failures and the vehicle meeting the 30-day out-of-service threshold under California law, BMW North America has formally denied a repurchase on 3Apr26. They have failed to warn of continued safety risks and persist in claiming the vehicle is repaired despite repeated recurrences of the same failures. I have declared a "Safety Stop Use" on the vehicle.

NHTSA ID 11729328 · filed Apr 6, 2026

Loss power and system reset

NHTSA ID 11722386 · filed Mar 6, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The dealer is refusing to remedy the recall campaign No.26V-09 stating that we need to wait for service to be due to address it. NHTSA letter says otherwise.

NHTSA ID 11733770 · filed Apr 25, 2026

Loss power and system reset

NHTSA ID 11722386 · filed Mar 6, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Vehicle History & Initial Defect: I took delivery of a used 2025 BMW i5 in November 2025 (~1025 mi). Upon delivery, the vehicle immediately displayed a persistent "Acoustic Pedestrian Warning" failure. This was a direct violation of FMVSS No. 141 (Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and EV). Despite dealer assurances that a software update would resolve the issue, the failure persisted through multiple repair attempts in late 2025 and early 2026. Critical System Failures (Jan-Apr 2026): On January 18, 2026, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic drivetrain failure while in motion, displaying the messages: "Stop. Apply parking brake. Drivetrain malfunction. You cannot continue driving" and "Stop carefully now. Faults. Do not continue driving." The vehicle was rendered inoperable. Subsequently, the vehicle has been subject to five (5) total repair attempts for these and related electronic faults, including "Phantom Warnings" of the hood and trunk being open while traveling at highway speeds. Unintended Emergency Braking Event (April 4, 2026): Within 48 hours of a 31-day repair stay (where the manufacturer insisted the vehicle was safe), the Driver Assistance Professional Package (DAPP) failed. While driving on a high-speed highway, the system prompted me to place my hands on the steering wheel. I complied immediately, yet the vehicle failed to recognize human intervention. The car then initiated a sudden, unintended emergency braking maneuver in active traffic. There was a significant lag before the system relinquished control, nearly resulting an accident. Manufacturer Negligence: Despite these life-threatening failures and the vehicle meeting the 30-day out-of-service threshold under California law, BMW North America has formally denied a repurchase on 3Apr26. They have failed to warn of continued safety risks and persist in claiming the vehicle is repaired despite repeated recurrences of the same failures. I have declared a "Safety Stop Use" on the vehicle.

NHTSA ID 11729328 · filed Apr 6, 2026

The car shut off unexpectedly while driving down a main road. There was first a power train warning, suggesting taking the car to the dealer and to drive cautiously. Then the car suddenly had an emergency power failure and the car shut completely off. Luckily I was able to coast into a subdivision. If I had been on a major highway this could have been deadly. The care then become inoperable and could not be turned on or even put in neutral. My car was dead in the middle of the road.

NHTSA ID 11721496 · filed Mar 2, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The car shut off unexpectedly while driving down a main road. There was first a power train warning, suggesting taking the car to the dealer and to drive cautiously. Then the car suddenly had an emergency power failure and the car shut completely off. Luckily I was able to coast into a subdivision. If I had been on a major highway this could have been deadly. The care then become inoperable and could not be turned on or even put in neutral. My car was dead in the middle of the road.

NHTSA ID 11721496 · filed Mar 2, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .