Model year record

2015 BMW i3 recalls & problems

The 2015 BMW i3 has 3 safety recalls and 47 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (15 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints47filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsNov 16, 2017

Frontal

Recall 17V72000032,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 BMW i3 electric and hybrid electric vehicles. Unbelted, small adult, drivers may be at a higher risk of neck injury in the event of a frontal crash. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: During a frontal impact, unbelted, small adult, drivers could be at a higher risk of neck injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the Driver air bag control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at the dedicated i3 recall number 1-855-269-3361.

Fuel system, gasolineFeb 9, 2017

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 17V08800019,130 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2017 i3 REx hybrid electric vehicles. The fuel tank vent line may rub against the ribbed wire protection sleeve of the battery positive (B+) cable, creating a hole in the vent line and causing a fuel vapor leak.
Risk: A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel vent line, replacing it as necessary, and install a clip to prevent it from chafing, free of charge. The recall beganApril 3, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air bagsOct 7, 2015

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 15V6280006,073 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper two-door vehicles, 2015-2016 MINI John Cooper Works and MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper four-door vehicles and 2014-2015 BMW i3 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger frontal air bag may not deploy properly in a low speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
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.
Fix: MINI and BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 and BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2015 BMW I3 5 HB RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Range & efficiency

i3 BEV EV

81mi range

Efficiency	27 kWh/100 mi
MPGe city / hwy / comb	137 / 111 / 124
Charge time (240 V)	4 h

Automatic (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $600/year to charge

i3 REX Plug-in Hybrid

39mpg combined

City / highway	41 / 37 mpg
Electric range	72 mi
On electricity	117 MPGe · 29 kWh/100 mi
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

0.6 L · 2 cyl · Automatic (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,100/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Typical mileage*
Steering	15	0	0	30,000 mi
Air bagsSensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger; Sensor › Occupant classification	9	0	0	37,000 mi
StructureBody	7	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	6	0	0	14,000 mi
Electrical system	6	1	1	23,790 mi
Power train	4	0	0	14,000 mi
Engine	3	1	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	2	0	0	—
Seat belts	2	0	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	0	—
Electronic stability control (esc)	1	0	0	—
Service brakes	1	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Suspension
In the middle of driving, the coil spring on rear passenger side snapped. What happened to me today was exactly what the search result showed from the internet. And yet, when I put in my VIN # to your and BMW website, I got 0 recall for this VIN. Mine is 2015, what am I missing? Googel: Early BMW i3 models, particularly from the 2014-2016 production runs, have known issues with rear coil springs snapping, often due to corrosion or poor heat treatment. If your rear end sags, you hear a loud clank over bumps, or you notice a piece of metal resting near your rear tires, a broken spring is the likely culprit. Symptoms and inspection details include: The Snapping Point: The spring typically…
Jul 10, 2026
Structure › Body
When driving down the interstate the carbon fiber roof suddenly delaminated of its top layer causing the cars behind me to have to slam on the brakes as chunks of carbon fiber flew off the car. This is a known issue with the BMW carbon fiber roofs that is worse on the i3 because of instead of a weave it is forged carbon.
Oct 18, 2025
Structure › Body
Carbon fiber roof is experiencing sun damage beyond what is normal.
Jul 15, 2025
Unknown or other
roof damage
Jul 10, 2025
Air bags
airbag failed. alert light went on. Had to be replaced.
Jan 2, 2024
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2015 BMW I3. The contact stated that after turning on the fan, there was plastic particles blowing out of the vents. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the particles were blowing out of the vents while activating the A/C or the heater. The contact stated that the failure became a recurring failure, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the A/C compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after the repair, the check engine warning light illuminated again. The contact had the…
Nov 12, 2022 · 80,000 miles
Structure › Body
Roof is delaminating and bubbling in some areas and chunks off roof have been flying impacting other cars windshield while obstructing view
Jun 29, 2023
Structure › Body
The carbon fiber roof is delaminating. The outer layer is pulling away from the base layer. I understand that this is a structural panel. No lights messages or warnings. The problem is very common with this vehicle. It has not been inspected.
Aug 1, 2023

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Pedestrian alert soundsClosedLed to recall 22V063000
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review…
DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023