2023 BMW 840I Electrical Software Recall (23V099)

Recall 23V099 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2023 BMW 840I in recall 23V099?

When the digital key is removed from the vehicle, the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software may still allow the power windows and sunroof to be closed.

BMW of North Americal, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 8 Series Coupe (840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, Alpine B8 xDrive), 2 Series Coupe (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i xDrive, M2), and 2022-2023 Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. When the digital key is removed from the vehicle, the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software may still allow the power windows and sunroof to be closed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-operated Window Systems."

Is it safe to drive a 2023 840I with recall 23V099?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Unintentionally closing the windows or sunroof without the key present can increase the risk of injury to occupants inside the vehicle.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Unintentionally closing the windows or sunroof without the key present can increase the risk of injury to occupants inside the vehicle.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your 840I shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the software, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 23V099?

Recall 23V099 covers 3,193 vehicles: 2023 BMW 230I; 2023 BMW 840I; 2023 BMW Alpina B8; 2023 BMW M2; 2023 BMW M240I; 2023 BMW M8; 2023 BMW M850I; 2022-2023 BMW Z4.

NHTSA lists 3,193 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the 840I electrical software recall?

Yes. Dealers will update the software for the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), free of charge.

Dealers will update the software for the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), free of charge. In addition, the digital key function via cellular service and Wi-Fi capability will be deactivated until the vehicle is updated with new software. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 11, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

When was recall 23V099 announced?

BMW of North America, LLC reported recall 23V099 to NHTSA on February 17, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as April 11, 2023.

This recall was filed 44 months ago. If your 840I was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my 840I is part of recall 23V099?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V099 is open on your 840I, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 23V099000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should 840I owners do about recall 23V099?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V099000 applies to your 840I.
2. Call a BMW dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
3. 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.
4. Keep a simple log of any software symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are 840I owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 2 of them about the electrical system.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the electrical system have been filed since recall 23V099 was reported (2) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 7 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 2 of them involve the electrical system. 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 230I: 4 complaints in total, 1 about the electrical system
• 2022 BMW Z4: 1 complaints in total, 1 about the electrical system
• 2023 BMW M240I: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system
• 2023 BMW M2: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system
• 2023 BMW Z4: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system
• 2023 BMW M850I: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system
• 2023 BMW 840I: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system
• 2023 BMW M8: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the electrical system

A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):

The contact owns a 2022 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V099000 (Visibility, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

2022 BMW Z4 owner, PA, NHTSA complaint 11520301, filed May 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2023 BMW 230i. The contact received the recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V056000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and the manufacturer were contacted. The contact had not experienced a related failure.

2023 BMW 230I owner, NY, NHTSA complaint 11743512, filed June 11, 2026

Can recall 23V099 make my 840I 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.

Owners often ask whether this software recall means their 840I qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Electrical faults are hard to diagnose, so dealers often try several fixes before one works, if one works at all. That pattern of repeat visits for the same software problem is common in lemon law claims.

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.

Frequently asked questions about recall 23V099