The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âÂÂdischarged batteryâ complaints.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 BMW M340i electrical problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
With the introduction of the BMW Remote Software Upgrade, all Service Pack 18 vehicles and partial Service Pack 15 vehicles may receive new functionality or modifications in their features.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗BMW AG has issued an Emissions Recall (effective March 17, 2023) on a certain Model Year 2021 - 2023 BMW vehicles that were produced between June 16, 2020, and December 13, 2022. Due to a software failure, there is the possibility that the transmission does not go into "sleep mode" if the car is turned off.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In the event of an accident, the two-battery Dual Storage System (DSS) is disconnected from the electrical system via an internal relay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Headlight check control (CC) message 128 "High beam headlight failure" is displayed. The following fault codes are stored during a vehicle test: 80419A - Left high-beam headlight: Short circuit and/or 8041A5 - light outputs: Number of permitted short circuit cycles exceeded
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
The starter malfunctioned causing electrical damage to the motor and related components. Although there is literature that exists that this is a potential problem for this vehichle, BMW refuses to fix the problem and is asking me to pay. My warranty is expired by 4 months, but I have only 37,800 miles. The fact that there are 105K vehicles with this potential problem is evidence that this…
Engine starter was faulty resulting in repeated attempts to start the engine using excessively long starting attempts and warnings from my car of overheating. At a traffic light, my car went into auto-off and then shut down and I was unable to restart the car leaving me stuck at a busy intersection. I received police support and a tow to the BMW Buena Park dealership. The dealership informed me…
Starter went bad which lead to shortage within the lithium ion battery and regular battery. Car came to a stop and did not move in an intersection, blocking both lanes of traffic. Furthermore, car could not be put into neutral as it could not be started. There was smoke emanating from the engine on further restart attempts. Car had to be towed where it was determine this was the problem. Warning…
Brought my car in for a starter recall picked it up next day and drove home then came out to turn my vehicle on again and it wouldn’t start. Burning smell from engine bay as well. Returned the car they inspected it and told me a faulty starter. When I brought the car in it was in perfect working condition I only brought it for the recall. I was then held accountable for 25% of repair costs.
Had electrical trouble with your 2020 BMW M340i?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2020 BMW M340i?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/BMW/M340i.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.