The problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 i4 eDrive40 and iX xDrive50 electric vehicles. During vehicle start-up, the artificial sound generator control unit may experience a fault and fail to generate the external pedestrian warning sound. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
The risk
Without external warning sounds, pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Dealers will update the external artificial sound generator software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 9, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 23V-026 (23V026000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Component | Forward collision avoidance › Warnings › External/pedestrian alert |
| Report date | January 25, 2023 |
| Owners notified | March 9, 2023 |
| Vehicles affected | 3,431 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the driver assistance
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 23V-026 repair free?
Yes. BMW dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will update the external artificial sound generator software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 9, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 3,431 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.