The 2016 BMW i3 has 2 safety recalls and 33 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (10 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints33filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 17V720000 · Nov 16, 2017 · 32,000 vehicles · opened 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, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA recall 17V088000 · Feb 9, 2017 · 19,130 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.
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
2016 BMW I3 5 HB RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
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
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Structure Body
10
0
0
0
—
Steering
8
0
0
0
30,700 mi
Air bags Air bag/restraint control module
6
1
0
1
—
Electrical system
5
0
0
0
—
Power train
3
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
2
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
2
1
0
0
—
Engine
2
0
0
0
—
Service brakes
1
1
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
May 20, 2026Air bags Driver airbag warning light illuminated. Vehicle was diagnosed at BMW of Sherman Oaks (RO# 176741) and confirmed as a faulty driver airbag module - part# 32-30-6-870-366. BMW technician found fault code 930904: Driver's airbag interval stage 1, resistance too high stored. BMW NA declined goodwill repair assistance despite the failure occurring within 20 days of warranty expiration. This is a safety-critical federally mandated system. Multiple BMW i3 owners in online communities report the same issue and reference TSB SI B65 18 16 as a known defect related to a cable being too short. I believe this may be a widespread defect affecting 2014-2018 BMW i3 vehicles that warrants investigation.
Nov 16, 2025Power train While driving my 2016 BMW i3 with Range Extender, the vehicle experiences sudden and complete loss of propulsion at very low state of charge (0â1%). 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…
Jun 6, 2025Air bags Faulty airbag warning
Apr 22, 2025 · 40,000 milesFuel system, gasoline The contact owns a 2016 BMW I3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and the air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel filler had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Mar 12, 2024Structure › Body The roof has bubbled and peeled away leaving an exposed permeable roof, meaning if it rains, water will get into the car because of the roof material being not safe, not strong, peeling away. Just terrible! Looking online, so many people with i3s ha e all had the same issue!
Feb 3, 2025Structure › Body Translucent protection coat on roof delaminated; pieces blown into air. Bare roof and some coat pieces available for inspection upon request (no inspection yet). Other BMW i3 owners have reported same issue. No prior indication of problem on vehicle itself.
Aug 16, 2024Structure › Body Roof panel is deteriorating and loosing integrity. Outer laminate coat broke down in general sun conditions, and now underlying roof structure is breaking down as well. The dealer has not inspected the roof yet, but this is an issue widely discussed on community forums, and itâs breaking down on my vehicle now.
Oct 1, 2023Structure › Body The roof is bubbling and peeling up. Water gets in it when it rains, then it bubbles greatly. BMW wonât fix it, repair shops donât want to fix it because itâs an obscure roof. They recommend I take it to BMW which wonât fix it (roof replacement suggested). I just bought this car and drive it as normal, and the special carbon fiber roof is degrading too fast.
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
DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000Pedestrian alert sounds 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…