2014 BMW I3

AC Compressor for the car battery system failed. There was a check engine light that was on steady, but not flashing. The electric range in the car reduced by 20 to 30% as a result of this fault. It was brought into the BMW dealership for inspection and they determined that was a short in the AC compressor and that the whole AC compressor system would need to be replaced; compressor, lines and radiatorx2 (battery radiator also needed). This was because this typical failure causes metal filings to enter the cooling system and it's not recommended to flush it out. There were no prior warnings or noise leading up to the problem. I'm concerned that there is a high risk that further driving the vehicle or charging it could cause a battery failure and cause it to catch on fire since there is no cooling. Normally a flashing engine light means to stop driving immediately, but there was no flashing light only a steady light. The BWM system check menu reported no issue with the car! The repair bill for this is about $8,400 and is rediculous. This seems to be a common problem when you start searching for it. Seems to also happen to the BMW i8 which shares the same compressor. Note that there are several revisions to the ac compressor part number which seems to suggest that they had to keep changing the part as production went on but did not notify affected cars that they could have a serious problem. This shouldn't be happening at 77k miles.

Car had all warning light came on one day. We brought to a local dealer and they told me it was due to 12V battery was not charging. 1. I asked to a service rep if 12V battery could be issue w/o full diagnostic which they charged me extra. He said they needed to do it to figure out. 2. After replacing the battery, it still had error message. After a few days, I was told car needs software update to clear error message related 12V battery. I requested this should be repaired by BMW or their dealers without any cost to me, but rep told me it was not free. I don't simply understand why consumer is responsible for paying to repair software defect.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW I3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED MALFUNCTION IN POWER TRAIN WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND THEN TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER AT BMW OF FORT LAUDERDALE (2601 S. ANDREWS AVE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33316, (877) 853-3109) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELEMENTS OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V599000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

CHARGED MY CAR OVERNIGHT IN MY CLIMATE CONTROLLED GARAGE AND WENT OUT THE NEXT MORNING TO RUN ERRANDS. TURNED IT ON, PUT IT IN DRIVE, HEARD A POP OR CLUNK FROM THE REAR AND THEN GOT A DRIVE TRAIN NOT AVAILABLE - DO NOT MOVE VEHICLE ERROR. COULDN'T EVEN PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL FOR TOWING - BMW ROADSIDE HAD TO SEND A TOW TRUCK WITH SKATES TO PROP UP THE BACK END AND PUSH IT OUT OF MY GARAGE. IT'S BEEN AT THE DEALER ALMOST 2 WEEKS NOW - THE LOCAL MECHANICS HAVE HAD CALLS WITH BMW BACK IN GERMANY AND THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

TWO ISSUES: 1. DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65 MPH, WITH BATTERY POWER DRAINED, THE REX (RESERVE ENGINE) TURNS ON. SUDDENLY, SPEED DROPS FROM 65 MPH TO 40 MPH WHILE ON A 2-LANE CA FREEWAY, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO BE REAR-ENDED BY TRAFFIC. ONE MONTH LATER, SAME SITUATION, SAME PROBLEM. 2. MANUFACTURER STATES A COMBINED MILEAGE RANGE OF 80 MILES ON BATTERY, 60 MILES ON REX (RESERVE ENGINE), FOR A COMBINED RANGE OF 140 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD MORE THAN 60 MILES ON BATTERY AND 40 MILES ON REX FOR A COMBINED MILEAGE OF 100 MILES, 40% LESS THAN BMW STATES, EVEN THOUGH I USE A PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED LEVEL 2 CHARGER. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THESE ISSUES. THE BMW DEALER?S WRITTEN FINDINGS: "CAR PERFORMED AS DESIGNED; VEHICLE IS EPA RATED TO GO 72 MILES PER CHARGE IN IDEAL CONDITIONS. THIS RANGE WILL VARY DRASTICALLY BASED ON VEHICLE USAGE AS WELL AS WEATHER CONDITIONS. THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION. ROAD TESTED VEHICLE AND WAS EASILY ABLE TO TRAVEL 75 MILES ON A CHARGE. RANGE EXTENDER IS INTENDED TO BE USED AS A FAILSAFE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A CHARGING STATION AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR REGULAR USE, ESPECIALLY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, AS THE ENGINE IS NOT DESIGNED FOR THIS. POWER REDUCTION AND REDUCED VEHICLE SPEED WILL RESULT. UPDATED COMPLETE VEHICLE SOFTWARE. VEHICLE NOW HAS A BATTERY PERCENTAGE DISPLAY AVAILABLE TO HELP GAUGE WHEN POWER REDUCTION IS TAKING PLACE. THESE ARE THE ONLY MEASURES AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS CUSTOMER COMPLAINT AS THE COMPLAINT IS REGARDING A DESIGN PARAMETER OF THE VEHICLE AND NOT AN ACTUAL ISSUE.? I DISAGREE. MY SAFETY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED, AND THE CAR DOES NOT FUNCTION AS ADVERTISED. NEITHER OF THESE ISSUES IS ADDRESSED IN ANY MATERIAL FROM THE MANUFACTURER, DEALER, OTHER WEBSITES OR OTHER INDUSTRY OR WEB-BASED SOURCES. BMW NA SENT AN ENGINEER TO CHECK THE CAR, HE SAID THIS IS THE DESIGN OF THE BMW, NOTHING MORE CAN BE DONE.