2024 BMW I5 Pedestrian Alert Sound Recall (23V885)
BMW of North America, LLC · 4,926 vehicles · Reported December 22, 2023
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling 4,926 2024 BMW I5; 2024 BMW I5 M60 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." Without external warning sounds, pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 23V885 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V885000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Not listed |
| Date reported to NHTSA | December 22, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2024 BMW I5; 2024 BMW I5 M60 |
| Units affected | 4,926 |
| Component | Forward Collision Avoidance > Warnings > External / Pedestrian Alert |
| Safety risk | Without external warning sounds, pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2024 BMW I5 in recall 23V885?
During vehicle start-up, the artificial sound generator control unit may experience a fault and fail to generate the external pedestrian warning sound.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 i5 eDrive40 and i5 M60 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."
Is it safe to drive a 2024 I5 with recall 23V885?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Without external warning sounds, pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Without external warning sounds, pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
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 external and pedestrian alert.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V885?
Recall 23V885 covers 4,926 vehicles: 2024 BMW I5; 2024 BMW I5 M60.
NHTSA lists 4,926 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | BMW | I5 |
| 2024 | BMW | I5 M60 |
What is the fix for the I5 pedestrian alert sound recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the external artificial sound generator software, free of charge.
Dealers will update the external artificial sound generator software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This is an expansion of Recall 23V-026.
When was recall 23V885 announced?
BMW of North America, LLC reported recall 23V885 to NHTSA on December 22, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as February 16, 2024.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| December 22, 2023 | BMW of North America, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V885000. |
| February 16, 2024 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 33 months ago. If your I5 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my I5 is part of recall 23V885?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V885 is open on your I5, 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 2024 I5 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 I5 owners do about recall 23V885?
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 23V885000 applies to your I5.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized BMW dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- 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 external and pedestrian alert 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 recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are I5 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 5 of them about the driver assistance.
Since recall 23V885 was reported on December 22, 2023, owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) 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 driver assistance and were received on or after December 22, 2023, 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 driver assistance issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 20 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 5 of them involve the driver assistance. 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.
- 2024 BMW I5: 20 complaints in total, 5 about the driver assistance
- 2024 BMW I5 M60: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the driver assistance
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The contact's insurer owned a 2024 BMW I5. The contact stated that the insurer received notice of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while the insurer was parking the vehicle, and the brake was depressed, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated and collided with a store's side wall.
2024 BMW I5 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11688366, filed September 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 BMW I5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes); 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. The dealer was contacted.
2024 BMW I5 owner, WA, NHTSA complaint 11614008, filed September 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2024 BMW i5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the "Driver Restraint System Malfunction" message was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
2024 BMW I5 owner, AZ, NHTSA complaint 11621364, filed October 22, 2024
Can recall 23V885 make my I5 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.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and adaptive cruise rely on software and sensors. Phantom braking or a system that shuts off can be dangerous, and these complaints often return after an update.
This campaign follows an earlier recall for the same issue. A second recall can mean the first remedy failed, and repeated repair attempts on the same defect are the core of most lemon law claims.
Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 23V026000.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the I5 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
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.
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 I5 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other BMW I5 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V885
Did the recall 23V885 fix work?
Since recall 23V885 was reported on December 22, 2023, owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) 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 16, 2024.
Is the 23V885000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my I5 is part of recall 23V885000?
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.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
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 23V885000 (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.