2022-2023 BMW IX Electrical Management Software Recall (22V944)
BMW of North America, LLC · 14,086 vehicles · Reported December 20, 2022
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling 14,086 2022-2023 BMW I4; 2023 BMW I7; 2022-2023 BMW IX vehicles. The high voltage battery electronic control unit (ECU) software may cause an interruption of electrical power. An interruption of electrical power may result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 22V944 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V944000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Not listed |
| Date reported to NHTSA | December 20, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2022-2023 BMW I4; 2023 BMW I7; 2022-2023 BMW IX |
| Units affected | 14,086 |
| Component | Electrical System > Propulsion System > Traction Battery Thermal > Management > Software |
| Safety risk | An interruption of electrical power may result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2022-2023 BMW IX in recall 22V944?
The high voltage battery electronic control unit (ECU) software may cause an interruption of electrical power.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 iX xDrive40, iX xDrive50, iX M60, i4 eDrive35, i4 eDrive40, i4 M50, and 2023 i7 xDrive60 vehicles. The high voltage battery electronic control unit (ECU) software may cause an interruption of electrical power.
Is it safe to drive a 2022-2023 IX with recall 22V944?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An interruption of electrical power may result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An interruption of electrical power may result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the software.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V944?
Recall 22V944 covers 14,086 vehicles: 2022-2023 BMW I4; 2023 BMW I7; 2022-2023 BMW IX.
NHTSA lists 14,086 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | BMW | I4 |
| 2023 | BMW | I7 |
| 2022-2023 | BMW | IX |
What is the fix for the IX electrical management software recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the high voltage battery ECU software, free of charge.
Dealers will update the high voltage battery ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 10, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
When was recall 22V944 announced?
BMW of North America, LLC reported recall 22V944 to NHTSA on December 20, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as February 10, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 20, 2022 | BMW of North America, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V944000. |
| February 10, 2023 | Owner notification letters scheduled (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 46 months ago. If your IX was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my IX is part of recall 22V944?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V944 is open on your IX, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2022-2023 IX vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should IX owners do about recall 22V944?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 22V944000 applies to your IX.
- Call a BMW dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the software happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are IX owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 40 of them about the ev and hybrid battery.
Since recall 22V944 was reported on December 20, 2022, owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the ev and hybrid battery on these vehicles. 3 of them (8%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the ev and hybrid battery and were received on or after December 20, 2022, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related ev and hybrid battery issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 130 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 40 of them involve the ev and hybrid battery. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 BMW I4: 45 complaints in total, 18 about the ev and hybrid battery
- 2023 BMW IX: 38 complaints in total, 7 about the ev and hybrid battery
- 2022 BMW IX: 29 complaints in total, 9 about the ev and hybrid battery
- 2022 BMW I4: 10 complaints in total, 4 about the ev and hybrid battery
- 2023 BMW I7: 8 complaints in total, 2 about the ev and hybrid battery
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The contact owns a 2023 BMW i4. The contact stated that while driving at 20-30 MPH with a fully charged battery, the engine seized on two separate occasions. There was an abnormal grinding sound detected. The inoperable do not drive message was displayed after the failure.
2023 BMW I4 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11654118, filed April 11, 2025
The only way I could explain it was as if my brakes were failing. After joining the bmw i4 group on Facebook and having my kids record while driving. I was able to capture the issue.
2023 BMW I4 owner, MD, NHTSA complaint 11656435, filed April 23, 2025
While driving, the vehicle experiences intermittent braking failures, electrical glitches, and/or sudden loss of power. These issues match known problems reported on similar 2023 BMW i4 models. My VIN does not show an active recall, but I am experiencing dangerous symptoms. I am concerned for my safety and others. I respectfully request an investigation.
2023 BMW I4 owner, VA, NHTSA complaint 11656987, filed April 26, 2025
Can recall 22V944 make my IX a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 22V944000 does not automatically make your IX a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
High-voltage battery and drive system defects in EVs and hybrids can mean reduced range, charging faults, loss of drive power or a fire risk. These repairs often need parts on backorder, so days out of service add up quickly.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
Recall repairs depend on parts. Owners can wait days, weeks or months, usually about one to three months in our cases, and those days count toward California's 30-day out-of-service rule.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your IX been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other BMW IX recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 22V944
Did the recall 22V944 fix work?
Since recall 22V944 was reported on December 20, 2022, owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the ev and hybrid battery on these vehicles. 3 of them (8%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed February 10, 2023.
Is the 22V944000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my IX is part of recall 22V944000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Can a battery recall reduce my EV's range?
Some battery recalls limit the state of charge or range until a module or pack is replaced. Check your owner letter for any interim limits, and keep notes if range or charging changes after the repair.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 22V944000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or BMW. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.