2016 BMW I3 Power Train Problems

While driving my 2016 BMW i3 with Range Extender, the vehicle experiences sudden and complete loss of propulsion at very low state of charge (0–1%). The car abruptly loses motive power, forcing me to pull over, sometimes while in traffic. After sitting for several minutes, limited power may return, but the vehicle often shuts down again, and in some cases the Range Extender engine does not engage at all. This has occurred repeatedly and creates a serious risk of being stranded or hit while merging or driving on public roads. BMW has inspected the vehicle twice (07 Nov 2025 and 13 Jan 2026) and confirmed the loss of propulsion and need to pull over but classified the behavior as “normal” without performing high-voltage battery diagnostics. The failure appears consistent with high-voltage battery voltage collapse under load, causing the battery management system to shut down the drivetrain. This is not normal...

Loses power "without warning"; actually, when the REX turns on it automatically mentions that power "could be" lost when the REX turns on. However, that is very understated. In fact, there is nowhere in the owner's manual that raises this issue; doesn't even mention that there could or would be a "warning" if battery is low and REX is being used. Bottom line: The REX cannot keep up with driving. Please refer to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmn58reGv8k The above is identical to my experience. Especially VERY DANGEROUS when on the interstate highway. I was looking for an exit so that the battery might recharge a bit because I could only go 25-35 mph. Seems like the REX is warming up and not outputting standard power, as expected... It might be that the problem is that the computer is not calculating the correct state of charge and therefore not giving the REX enough time...

STARTED THE CAR AFTER CHARGING IT OVERNIGHT AND "DRIVETRAIN: STOP CAREFULLY" AND "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION" APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY FINE BEFORE THIS.