A survey that is emailed to subscribers provides Consumer Reports with its reliability data.
We don’t have a big enough database for some model years, usually those of older or less well-known cars.
A wise automobile buyer can nonetheless investigate the caliber of a car in a number of methods.
A limited number of 2022–2023 iX xDrive50, iX M60, 2022 i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 vehicles are being recalled by BMW of North America, LLC (BMW). Internal damage to the high voltage battery could cause an electrical short-circuit.
What you ought to do is
Owners are encouraged to keep their cars outside and away from buildings until the fix is done, refrain from using or charging them, and follow this advice. The high voltage battery will be free to be replaced by dealers. On September 19, 2022, owner notice letters are anticipated to be mailed. BMW customer care can be reached by owners at 1-800-525-7417. Phone calls will also be made to the owners.
Additionally, owners can visit www.nhtsa.gov or call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).
Certain 2022–2023 iX xDrive40, iX xDrive50, iX M60, 2022 i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 vehicles with hybrid electric powertrains are being recalled by BMW of North America, LLC (BMW). Critical safety information, such as warning messages and/or warning lights, may not be displayed on the Central Information Display (CID) when the vehicle is in Valet Parking Mode. Because of this, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, “Control and Displays,” is not met by these cars.
The head unit software for the display will be updated by dealers at no cost. Letters informing owners will likely be mailed on August 29, 2022. BMW customer care can be reached by owners at 1-800-525-7417.
In This Article...
EVs have fewer parts, which reduces brake wear.
Because they have fewer moving parts and less complexity than a car with an internal combustion engine, Fisher said, electric vehicles ought to be more dependable.
However, Fisher noted, “the firms introducing electric vehicles don’t have a century’s worth of expertise like they do with gasoline-powered vehicles, so that’s why we’re not necessarily seeing that.
He predicted that they would soon catch up, but warned that “growing pains” would be experienced in the meanwhile.
According to Fisher, the Chevy Bolt’s dominance in the dependability rankings is not unexpected. He claimed that General Motors has more experience than most other automakers and has created an electric vehicle more than 20 years ago.
It’s likely that electric vehicles will perform better than vehicles with 10-speed automatic transmissions, turbochargers, and all those other issues, according to Fisher.
Consumer Reports discovered that regardless of how reliable the vehicles were, owners virtually universally expressed great satisfaction with them. In the magazine’s most recent report, all models—aside from the Nissan Leaf and BMW I3—received ratings ranging from better than average to the highest for owner satisfaction.
The most recent reliability rankings from Consumer Reports don’t favor EVs.
In general, electric automobiles are more dependable than conventional cars, hybrids, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Simply put, since EVs have fewer moving components, less things can go wrong with them. The most recent reliability rankings published by Consumer Reports, however, indicate that as electric cars become more complex, reliability problems will inevitably arise.
Instead of engine-related issues, the problems appear to be caused by the increased amount of technology found in current EVs. Analysts highlighted that while luxury EVs have more complicated infotainment and general technology elements, they tend to be less dependable. According to the findings, cheaper EVs with older, simpler technology, like the Nissan Leaf, perform substantially better.
Only Lincoln came worst in the rankings for brand reliability, followed by Tesla. Consumer Reports reported that Chinese-built Teslas were significantly better crafted than their Fremont counterparts, but claimed that the Model Y has “far worse than average” reliability and that the Model 3 also has a lot of issues.
Fundamentally speaking, electric cars are proving to be as as dependable as ever; it’s only that the technology used in more expensive models is giving rise to issues. The reliability of Mercedes’ Hyperscreen will be something to watch out for in particular. The Hyperscreen, arguably the pinnacle of “crazy, industry-first technology,” will make its premiere on the Mercedes EQS and will also be offered as an add-on on the smaller EQE. It’s interesting to note that Mercedes has no plans to include the 56″ screen on any of their non-EV models, supporting Consumer Reports’ conclusion that electric vehicles frequently come equipped with the newest and greatest technology, which can eventually cause reliability problems.
The three brands that Consumer Reports found to be the most reliable are Lexus, Mazda, and Toyota. All three have a strong opposition to BEVs, a wide selection of hybrids, and a desire to keep developing internal combustion engines for as long as possible. In fact, Toyota and sub-brand Lexus intend to work with Mazda and several other Japanese brands on the development of “greener fueling options” and hydrogen tech.
BMW i3 issues & dependability
The i3 didn’t sell enough units to qualify as a stand-alone model in the Driver Power customer satisfaction survey for 2022. Out of 29 manufacturers ranked in the survey for overall customer experience and reliability, BMW placed a respectable 16th. Despite having a futuristic design, the electric i3’s running gear is far more straightforward and has less moving parts than a typical internal combustion engine automobile. As a result, it should be more reliable than a petrol or diesel vehicle.
However, because premium materials were employed in its manufacture, accident damage might be difficult and expensive to repair. According to data revealed by aftermarket warranty provider WarrantyWise in October 2020, the i3 had a repair percentage of 18% for all of its active warranties, which was lower than the BMW 1 Series, the best-performing internal-combustion BMW on its books.
Bolt EV from Chevrolet
The Chevy Bolt had a significant role in popularizing electric vehicles among regular consumers. Even after all these years, it’s still a fantastic choice for a daily driver. This compact hatchback with plenty of features can go up to 259 miles, and a single 30-minute charging session can add up to 100 miles to the battery.
The car’s interior is little, but it has a convenient 10.2-inch touchscreen system and nice seats. You’ll probably be surprised by how much space there is in and around the back seats.
The vehicle’s industry-leading safety features, like forward collision and lane departure warnings, further enhance its reputation for dependability. A 360-degree camera, blind-spot detection, and adaptive cruise control are available to premium customers.
Due to a torquey, well-balanced construction, the Bolt is a lot of fun to drive despite its image as a commuter car, according to user reviews. Beyond the car’s outstanding performance, it also receives high marks for dependability. In fact, from 2017 to 2020, Consumer Reports gave it a flawless reliability score of 5/5.
How dependable are BMW electric vehicles?
The i3 placed fourth out of nine electric vehicles in its class, receiving a score of 94.1% in our most recent dependability study. A solid achievement for BMW as a brand, placing 13th out of 30 manufacturers.
How long do the batteries in a BMW electric car last?
While driving, EV batteries go through cycles of “discharge,” and they “charge,” when the car is plugged in. The battery’s ability to keep a charge is affected by how often you repeat this operation. As a result, the distance between charges and the time between trips are reduced. The majority of manufacturers offer a battery guarantee of five to eight years. A battery for an electric vehicle, however, is expected to last between 10 and 20 years before needing to be replaced.
The connection between a battery and one or more electric motors, which power the wheels of the car, is surprisingly straightforward. When you step on the gas, the car immediately supplies the motor with power, which progressively uses up the energy stored in the batteries.
When you release the accelerator, the automobile starts to slow down by converting its forward momentum back into electricity. This happens more strongly if you apply the brakes. Electric motors also function as generators. By recovering energy that would otherwise be lost during braking, regenerative braking increases battery life and extends the travel distance of an automobile.
How long does an electric car last?
Scientists will be able to gather more precise data on the lifespan of electric automobiles when more of them are put into service. Additionally, we can anticipate decreased production costs and batteries that last longer and recycle more effectively.
Your EV should last as least as long as a typical automobile, whether you purchase a new or old vehicle. And with the proper upkeep, you could be able to drive it for another 200,000 miles or more until it’s time to retire!