BMW i4's Emergency Call System Failing After 135K KM

Hey! I can relate to your situation. I had a similar issue with my 2020 BMW iX3 last month. The emergency call system was acting exactly like yours, intermittent connection and stored error code. Turned out the emergency backup battery was completely drained. This battery is separate from the main vehicle battery and specifically powers the emergency call system. The issue needed specialized attention because it's tied to safety systems. I had mine checked at a certified service center. The diagnosis showed the battery had degraded faster than normal and needed replacement. It wasn't just a simple recharge situation, the whole emergency battery unit had to be swapped out. The repair was straightforward but needed specific diagnostic tools to reset the system properly. This isn't something you want to leave unaddressed since it's a critical safety feature. My advice would be to have it checked at a certified BMW service center. They'll have the right diagnostic equipment to properly assess and fix the emergency call system. Considering your mileage and the symptoms you're describing, it sounds very similar to what I experienced. Best to get it sorted soon.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's exactly what I was worried about, the emergency battery unit. Really helps to know I'm not alone with this issue. Would you mind sharing how much you ended up paying for the replacement? Also, has everything been working smoothly since the fix? Just wanna make sure there weren't any recurring problems after they replaced it.

Hey again! Happy to update you. Yes, after getting it fixed at the certified service center, everything has been working perfectly with the emergency call system. No more connectivity issues or error codes, it's working just like new. The total cost came to 110 € for the complete battery replacement and system reset. Money well spent considering it's such an important safety feature. I know some try to save money by going to independent shops, but for these specialized systems, I really think it's worth going to certified techs who know exactly what they're doing. I've put about 3,000 km on the car since the repair, and there haven't been any recurring issues at all. The emergency call system maintains connection properly now, and all those annoying error codes are gone. Honestly, it's such a relief to have it sorted properly. Just make sure whoever works on it does a proper system reset after the battery replacement, that's crucial for everything to work correctly. If you end up getting it done, I'd be interested to hear if your experience is similar to mine!

Thanks so much for all the details! I actually went ahead and got it fixed yesterday. You were totally right about going to a certified place. The whole experience was way better than I expected. Had to wait a bit since they were busy, but the mechanic really knew his stuff. Explained everything about the emergency battery system while showing me the old unit. Pretty wild how something so small can be so important! The price was similar to what you paid, around 115 € all in. They did the system reset you mentioned, and now everything's working perfectly. No more error codes, and the emergency call system's holding connection like it should. Such a relief to have it sorted! Funny thing, while I was there, another i4 owner came in with the exact same issue. Guess it's more common than I thought! Really glad I asked here first. Sometimes you just need that push to do things the right way instead of trying to save a few bucks at a questionable shop. Thanks again for your help, definitely saved me from making the wrong choice with this repair!

Good morning. My X2 spends a lot of time parked because my work doesn't allow me to enjoy it. A few months ago, the system indicated a "low emergency battery" fault. I went to the official service center, and roughly speaking, they told me that the repair would cost around €500 because they have to dismantle the entire interior roof, as that's where it's located. The fault has been saved but hasn't been indicated on the display again. I don't know if the battery is rechargeable or if it won't request a change again. However, the price is exorbitant.

(Translated from Spanish)

It's important to address the "low emergency battery" fault, as it affects a critical safety feature. While the cost seems high, the emergency battery is not typically rechargeable and will likely need replacement to ensure the system functions properly. I recommend getting a second opinion from another certified BMW service center to confirm the necessity of dismantling the interior roof and to see if there are any alternative solutions. Safety should be a priority, so it's best to have this checked by professionals. Let me know how it goes or if you have any further questions!