BMW I3 problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 141 owner complaints and 8 recalls on file for the BMW I3 (2014–2019). The 2017 I3 has the most serious complaints, most often about body & structure.

Complaints
141
Recalls
8
Model years
6
Worst year
2017

Complaints by model year

282014272015252016362017132018122019
NHTSA complaints per BMW I3 model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst BMW I3 years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2017 BMW I3 — 36 complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Body & Structure
  2. 2016 BMW I3 — 25 complaints, 2 crashes; top problem: Body & Structure
  3. 2015 BMW I3 — 27 complaints, 1 fire; top problem: Body & Structure
  4. 2014 BMW I3 — 28 complaints; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2018 (13 complaints).

Every BMW I3 model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2019 I3121001Electrical System
2018 I3130003Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2017 I3362133Body & Structure
2016 I3252012Body & Structure
2015 I3270103Body & Structure
2014 I3280004Transmission & Drivetrain

Most common BMW I3 problem areas (all years)

  • Body & Structure
    38 complaints
  • Steering
    21 complaints
  • Electrical System
    21 complaints
  • Airbags
    20 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    20 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    12 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    11 complaints
  • Engine
    9 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    6 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    4 complaints

Complaint trend

202020212023202420252026
Complaints about the BMW I3 received by NHTSA each month.

BMW I3 recalls

  • Recall 19V599000Aug 14, 2019139 vehiclesModel years 2019

    Risk: A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 19V310000Apr 17, 2019159 vehiclesModel years 2018

    Risk: A shut down of high-voltage electrical power would result in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 18V652000Sep 20, 20183,501 vehiclesModel years 2018

    Risk: An electrical shock or a fire can increase the risk of injury or death.

  • Recall 17V720000Nov 16, 201732,000 vehiclesModel years 2014–2018

    Risk: During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.

  • Recall 17V088000Feb 9, 201719,130 vehiclesModel years 2014–2017

    Risk: A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 16V914000Dec 20, 20163,506 vehiclesModel years 2017

    Risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 15V628000Oct 7, 20156,073 vehiclesModel years 2014–2015

    Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, an air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.

  • Recall 14V422000Jul 14, 201427 vehiclesModel years 2014

    Risk: If the air bag deploys improperly in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the air bags, the seat occupant may be at an increased risk of injury.

Other BMW models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology