BMW i3 Headlight Misalignment Driving Owners Crazy

I had the exact same issue with my 2020 BMW i8 Hybrid last winter at 98,000 km. The servomotor that controls the auto-leveling system was failing, causing misaligned beams and triggering the warning light. My certified technician diagnosed it through the computer system and confirmed the faulty servomotor in the headlight assembly. It wasn't a quick fix since they needed to order the specific part and partially disassemble the front end to access it properly. The repair took two days because they had to calibrate the new servomotor after installation. While it wasn't a critical safety issue that would leave you stranded, it's something that needs fixing since misaligned headlights can be dangerous for oncoming traffic. Plus, in many places, it would fail inspection. Just make sure you go to someone who specializes in BMW electronics, these systems are pretty complex and not all shops have the right diagnostic tools for the job.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful and matches what I'm seeing with my i3. Can't remember if you mentioned the cost, how much did you end up paying for the whole repair? Also, curious if you've had any other headlight-related problems since getting it fixed?

Hey there! Happy to give you an update. After getting it fixed at the shop, I haven't had a single issue with the headlights, they're working perfectly now. The Headlight range control fault is completely gone, and everything's properly aligned. About the cost, it set me back 1040 € for the whole job. That covered the defective servomotor replacement and all the labor involved. Yeah, it wasn't cheap, but considering the complexity of these BMW systems and the fact that they had to partially take apart the front end to get to it, I guess that's what you should expect. Just to give you peace of mind, I've put about 15,000 km on my i8 since the repair, and the headlight system has been rock solid. No warning lights, no misalignment issues, nothing. If you're seeing the same symptoms I had, I'd say it's worth getting it sorted. These BMWs might be pricey to fix, but at least when they're done right, they stay fixed! Let me know if you need any other details about the repair. Always happy to help another BMW owner!

Thanks for all the details! I bit the bullet and took my i3 to get fixed last week. The experience wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. Turns out you were spot on, it was the servomotor causing all the trouble. The mechanic I found really knew their stuff and got it sorted in about a day and a half. Cost was similar to what you paid, though I managed to negotiate a bit of a discount since they had the part in stock. The best part? No more warning lights, and my headlights are perfectly aligned now. Such a relief to drive at night without worrying about blinding other drivers! Funny thing is, while I was there, they showed me exactly what was wrong with the old servomotor. Never realized how complex these systems are until I saw all the components. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it gave me the confidence to get it fixed instead of putting it off. Here's hoping it stays problem-free like yours!